Home Blog Page 90

Six Hoosiers Qualify for NCAA Championships from First Day of Zones

0

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Six Hoosiers punched their tickets to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Monday (March 10) on the first day of the NCAA Zone C Diving Championships inside the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of the Ohio State University.

Three men qualified on the 1-meter springboard, and three women advanced from the 3-meter springboard – tying Purdue for the most in each competition.

Seniors Quinn Henninger – the Big Ten Champion on 1-meter – and Carson Tyler led the way in the men’s event, taking the top two spots with scores of 752.30 and 736.00, respectively. The pairing finished second and third in the event at the NCAA Championships last season. Junior Maxwell Weinrich was the fourth and final diver to eclipse 700 points Monday, also qualifying on 1-meter.

Placing 11th and 12th, Junior Dash Glasberg and freshman Joshua Sollenberger just missed out on the 10 qualifying spots available on 1-meter. However, as top-12 finishers, both can still qualify in this event if they meet the qualifying standards in another event.

With another 10 bids available in the women’s 3-meter event, the Hoosier trio of senior Skyler Liu and sophomores Ella Roselli and Lily Witte were among the upper-echelon that secured NCAA berths. All three Hoosiers return from last season’s NCAA Championships roster. Freshman Mary Kate Cavanaugh placed 14th in the event, missing out by 14.35 points, as nine Hoosiers competed in finals Monday.

With the three additions to the roster, Indiana’s NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships expands to 13 after 10 swimmers locked in their spots last week.

RESULTS

Women’s 3-Meter

  1. Skyler Liu – 645.45 (NCAA Qualifier)
  2. Ella Roselli – 638.50 (NCAA Qualifier)
  3. Lily Witte – 634.25 (NCAA Qualifier)
  4. Mary Kate Cavanaugh – 563.30 (Finalist)
  5. Morgan Casey – 209.90

 

Men’s 1-Meter

  1. Quinn Henninger – 752.30 (NCAA Qualifier)
  2. Carson Tyler – 736.00 (NCAA Qualifier)
  3. Maxwell Weinrich – 700.25 (NCAA Qualifier)
  4. Dash Glasberg – 644.05 (Finalist)
  5. Joshua Sollenberger – 637.40 (Finalist)
  6. William Jansen – 245.35

Screaming Eagles host Governors Tuesday USI to visit Bellarmine Wednesday

0

Screaming Eagles host Governors Tuesday
USI to visit Bellarmine Wednesday

Story Links

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball returns home for the first time in two weeks when it hosts Austin Peay State University Tuesday at the USI Baseball Field. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.

The USI-APSU game is an “812 Taco Tuesday Game” for the Screaming Eagles. Tickets are $8 Tuesday, while popcorn is $1 and tacos are $2. The promotion is sponsored by Sodexo.

The Eagles will briefly return to the road Wednesday with a trip to play former GLVC-rival Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. The road game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CDT) start.

Following the trip to Louisville, USI comes back home to host its first three-game series of the spring when Murray State University visits the USI Baseball Field. The series is slated to start Friday at 6 p.m.; continues Saturday at 3 p.m.; and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.

The first game of the USI-Murray State series is “Free Custard Friday” at the USI Baseball Field. Fans will receive a free custard coupon at each Friday USI home game when the Eagles win.

Due to the ever-changing weather in March, USI encourages fans to watch for potential schedule changes on USIScreamingEagles.comX, and Facebook.

Links to follow the Eagles all season can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and the USI Baseball Schedule.

USI Baseball Notes:
USI had tough week at ORU. The USI Screaming Eagles went 0-3 last week at Oral Roberts University. USI had an early lead in game one, but lost, 9-7; could not get the bats going until the ninth in game two before losing, 4-2; and rallied late in game three before falling, 7-6.

Kitchens has the hot stick. Junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens was on fire against Oral Roberts, hitting .727 (8-11) with two runs scored, two doubles, one home run, and three RBIs. He also had a slugging percentage of 1.182.

Kitchens leads the Eagles at the plate. USI junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens is the top hitter at USI and third in the OVC. Coakley leads USI in hitting with a .410 batting average (16-39). He also is tied for first in home runs (2) and second on the team in RBIs (10) and doubles (5).

USI hoping to get on track at home. After starting hot, the Eagles have lost their last six games and were 1-6 away from the USI Baseball Field the previous two weeks.

On the mound: Junior right-hander Blake Kimball led the USI starters in the opening weeks with a 2-2 record and a team-best 2.55 ERA. Sophomore right-hander Aaron Rubio was the best out of the bullpen, earning a pair of saves.

USI in the OVC. USI ranks third in the OVC with a .287 team batting average and fifth with 73 runs scored. On the bump, the Eagles are eighth in the league with a 7.15 ERA.

USI at home this week. USI is at home this week, playing four of five at the USI Baseball Field.

USI hosts APSU. USI hosts Austin Peay State University Tuesday at the USI Baseball Field. APSU is 11-5 in 2025 after taking a three-game series with the University of St. Thomas this weekend. The Governors lead the all-time series with USI, 9-0, and won the last meeting in 2023, 10-6.

USI visits Bellarmine. USI visits Bellarmine University Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky. The Knights are 2-12 after being swept by Southern Illinois University in a three-game series over the weekend. The Eagles hold an 88-77 all-time series lead over the Knights after sweeping a three-game series last year, 3-0.

Indiana General Assembly draws closer to calling for an Article V convention

1
Photo by Stephen Leonardi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/majestic-capitol-building-in-snow-covered-setting-29672781/

Indiana General Assembly draws closer to calling for an Article V convention

    • By Caleb Crockett, TheStatehouseFile.com

Senate Joint Resolution 21 passed through the House Judiciary Committee 10-2 at the Statehouse on Monday.

SJR 21 seeks to invoke an Article V convention, where specific delegates from every state would amend the Constitution to enforce term limits for the nation’s legislators.

Rep. Alex Burton, D-Evansville, one of the committee members who voted in favor of the joint resolution, explained to TheStatehouseFile.com what SJR 21 is about.

“If passed here in the coming days, (Indiana) will be the 11th or 12th state in the country that’s passed a resolution urging Congress to enact term limits,” Burton said.

Thirty-eight states need to ratify a joint resolution in order for legislature term limits to be discussed at an Article V convention.

Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D-Fishers, provided an email statement on why she voted in favor of SJR 21 and how she believes it is possible to garner more support for it.

“Part of the reason Americans are so disillusioned with national politics is their overwhelming belief that career politicians run this country, not everyday working people and families,” she said. “Enacting term limits on members of Congress will restore Americans’ and Hoosiers’ faith in our democracy and ensure that running for office is about service and sacrifice, not personal enrichment. I believe that more safeguards surrounding an Article V convention would only make others more supportive overall.”

Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, further detailed what it would mean for an Article V convention to take place.

“If (the state legislatures) pass these resolutions, then an Article V convention would be triggered,” Vaughn said. “There would be delegates to this convention elected from states, and they would open up and deal with constitutional issues.”

Burton touched on the importance of creating term limits for Congress and how Hoosiers have impacted that decision.

“From what I gather, I think this conversation and this resolution passed and came before state legislature a couple of times prior, and with it being my first session, I thought I would carry on that work,” Burton said. “I think it said somewhere around 84% of Hoosiers agree with term limits for Congress. When we see so much stagnation, and the average tenure of a person who’s been in Congress has been there for quite a while, something different needs to be done.”

Some people are concerned about invoking an Article V convention because, as Sen. J.D. Ford explained back in January, “There is nothing that could limit the convention to a single issue, so delegates could write amendments that revoke any of our most cherished rights, like to peacefully protest, freedom of religion or right to privacy,” said Ford. “There’s no rules for preventing corporations from pouring money into this convention to ensure that they get their way. So in my opinion, a convention would not be the right way to go about this.”

Vaughn also voiced concerns around how it could impact constitutional rights moving forward.

“That’s one of the reasons we oppose it. It’s never been done before,” Vaughn said. “There aren’t really any guardrails in place, and so our fear is you open up the Constitution for revision, and there goes our First Amendment, there goes another amendment. It’s just a very risky way to make changes to this document that has stood for over 200 years and has been a good guiding principle for our country. We just don’t think it’s a good idea to make constitutional changes this way.”

Vaughn agrees with enforcing term limits but feels uncertain about doing so in this manner.

“This would say, in the United States Constitution, members of Congress can only serve X amount of terms.” she said. “That’s the other thing, what number is it? We support reasonable term limits, but we think it needs to be about six terms, and some people are talking about maybe two or three terms, which would do away with a lot of institutional knowledge. The number is really critical, and that’s another weakness of SJR 21, it’s ‘oh let’s have term limits.’ Well, what exactly are we talking about?”

Burton acknowledged the concerns about an Article V convention and gave reasoning as to why he is pushing forward with SJR 21.

“I think the uncertainty raises some concern, which I completely understand that, but I also don’t want to slow down a process and potentially slow down what many Hoosiers say they want in terms of term limits.” Burton said.

Burton and his colleagues will work to address those concerns moving forward.

“There was a lot of concern about what may be brought up to the floor, who would actually serve as a delegate,” he said. “A lot of ‘what ifs,’ which are incredibly valid points, but I think that as we move forward now we can get down into the weeds.”

Caleb Crockett is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.

JOE WALLACE The Making of Volodymyr Zelensky: Similarities to President Trump are Striking

0
The Making of Volodymyr Zelensky: Similarities to President Trump are Striking
By Joe WALLACE

Volodymyr Zelensky’s rise to the presidency of Ukraine is one of the most remarkable political transformations in modern history. From a childhood in an industrial city to a career in entertainment and an unexpected leap into politics, his journey has captivated the world. This article explores the making of Zelensky through the key phases of his life: childhood, education, private career, public career, and his suitability as Ukraine’s leader.

Childhood

Born on January 25, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky grew up in a Russian-speaking Jewish family. His father, Oleksandr Zelensky, was a professor and head of the Cybernetics and Computing Hardware Department at a local university, while his mother, Rimma Zelenska, worked as an engineer. Raised in the Soviet era, Zelensky spent part of his early years in Mongolia, where his father was on assignment.

Unlike many future politicians, Zelensky did not grow up in a politically connected family. Instead, his formative years were shaped by academic rigor, an interest in performance, and an early exposure to the arts. His natural charisma and comedic talent were evident even as a child, setting the stage for his future career in entertainment.

Education

Zelensky attended Kryvyi Rih Economic Institute, a subsidiary of Kyiv National Economic University, where he earned a degree in law. However, his passion lay elsewhere. While studying, he became deeply involved in comedy and theater, joining the local KVN (a popular Soviet and post-Soviet comedy competition) team. His performances won him national recognition, leading him to travel and perform across the former Soviet Union.

Despite completing his legal education, Zelensky never practiced law. Instead, he fully immersed himself in show business, refining the skills that would later define his presidency—public speaking, performance, and an acute understanding of mass communication.

Private Career

Zelensky’s rise in entertainment was meteoric. In 2003, he co-founded the production company Kvartal 95, which became one of Ukraine’s most successful media companies. The company produced popular comedy shows, sitcoms, and films, with Zelensky as a writer, actor, and producer.

His most famous role came in 2015 with the television series Servant of the People, where he played Vasyl Holoborodko, a high school teacher who unexpectedly becomes president of Ukraine after a viral anti-corruption rant. The show resonated deeply with the Ukrainian public, reflecting widespread frustrations with corruption and entrenched political elites. The irony that a comedian playing a fictional president would one day become a real one was lost on no one.

Public Career

By 2018, Ukraine was disillusioned with traditional politicians, and Zelensky, buoyed by his television popularity, announced his candidacy for president. He ran under the banner of the Servant of the People party, named after his show, capitalizing on his image as an outsider and reformer. His campaign, largely conducted via social media, eschewed traditional political rallies and debates, instead relying on humor, direct messaging, and a promise to eradicate corruption.

In April 2019, Zelensky won the presidency in a landslide, defeating incumbent Petro Poroshenko with over 73% of the vote. His early tenure was marked by efforts to broker peace with Russia in eastern Ukraine, fight corruption, and overhaul Ukraine’s governance. However, his presidency took a dramatic turn in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky quickly transitioned from a political novice to a wartime leader, rallying international support, boosting Ukrainian morale, and standing firm against Russian aggression.

Is He Suited for Being President of Ukraine?

Zelensky’s presidency has been a study in adaptation. While his lack of traditional political experience initially raised concerns, his leadership during the war has won him global admiration. His ability to communicate effectively, inspire resilience, and secure unprecedented Western aid has strengthened Ukraine’s resistance.

However, challenges remain. Domestically, corruption and governance issues persist, and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction will require strong administrative expertise. Some critics argue that his government’s centralization of power and suppression of political opposition could set a dangerous precedent. Others believe his background in entertainment, though unorthodox, has allowed him to connect with citizens in ways few leaders can.

Whether Zelensky is ultimately the right long-term leader for Ukraine remains to be seen, but his presidency has already reshaped the country’s trajectory. What began as an improbable rise has become a defining moment in modern history, proving that sometimes, reality does mirror fiction.
His life parallels United States President Donald Trump in many ways and these bold personalities may be the source of the clash in the Oval Office last week.  Both are bold, bombastic, seek the spotlight, and are ravenous to lead. Both have also been successful entrepreneurs, and as all entrepreneurs seem to know, entrepreneurs do not work for entrepreneurs. May cooler heads prevail,

Evansville Rescue Mission Receives $1.5 Million Capital Project Grant to Complete Construction of the Snyder Center for Women and Children

0

Evansville Rescue Mission Receives $1.5 Million Capital Project Grant to
Complete Construction of the Snyder Center for Women and Children

Evansville, IN – Evansville Rescue Mission (ERM) and United Way of Southwestern Indiana
(UWSWI) are excited to announce that ERM has received a matching capital grant of up to $1.5 million from the Indiana United Ways Statewide Capital Projects Initiative in support of the Susan H. Snyder Center for Women and Children.

The Susan H. Snyder Center for Women and Children (CWC) is a transformative facility
designed to provide shelter, support, and resources for homeless women and children in the Evansville community. As part of the Evansville Rescue Mission, the CWC will offer emergency housing, case management, job and life skills training, childcare, mental health support, and access to healthcare. This center is more than a shelter—it’s a place of healing, stability, and empowerment, helping women and children rebuild their lives and achieve long-term independence. Through community support and partnerships, the CWC will serve as a beacon of hope for those in need.

The infusion of funding from the Indiana United Ways Statewide Capital Projects Initiative
allowed ERM to successfully complete their capital campaign, covering the purchase of the
building, renovations, and a few years of operating costs. This stability strengthens fundraising efforts by ERM to sustain and grow support for the entire organization.
“We recommended this project to the Indiana United Ways Statewide Capital Projects
Committee because the Board and staff believe the Center will be a tremendous asset not only for our community, but the entire region,” said Amy Mangold, President and CEO of UWSWI. “This grant, administered by Indiana United Ways, enabled ERM to close a critical gap in their capital campaign funding and made it possible to offer women and children a space to recover from homelessness, abuse, and other heartbreaking challenges in their lives. While we have other valuable, impactful partners doing similar work, we are inspired by ERM’s long-term, comprehensive approach. It’s an honor to be part of this life-changing work,” added Mangold.

“The need for the Susan H. Snyder Center for Women and Children in Evansville has never
been greater. Too many women and children in our community are facing homelessness with nowhere to turn, and there is a critical gap in services to provide them with the shelter and support they need,” said Tracy Gorman, President/CEO of Evansville Rescue Mission. “The CWC will fill that gap by offering not just a safe place to stay, but also the resources and guidance necessary to help women and children rebuild their lives. This center will be a beacon of hope, providing stability, empowerment, and a path to long-term independence for those who need it most,” Gorman added.

The Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony for ERM's Susan H. Snyder Center for
Women and Children (1400 Professional Blvd., Evansville, IN 47714) takes place on March
13, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The public is invited. Funding for this project was made possible due to UWSWI’s membership in Indiana United Ways, the state membership association for local United Ways serving Indiana counties.

THE GREAT GATSBY BALLET COMES TO EVANSVILLE AS PART OF THE WORLD BALLET COMPANY WORLD PREMIERE TOUR

0

THE GREAT GATSBY BALLET COMES TO EVANSVILLE AS PART OF THE WORLD BALLET COMPANY WORLD PREMIERE TOUR 

Performance to take place at Old National Events Plaza on April 12

World Ballet Company – one of the country’s leading touring ballet companies – has announced its new production. The company presents the world premiere of its latest ballet, “The Great Gatsby” – a Broadway-style take on the iconic story. It will tour to more than 140 cities across the United States from February 6 – November 24.

“World Ballet Company prides itself on making ballet accessible and producing Broadway-style ballets. This year, we’re doing that with one of the most important stories of the 20-century literature classic,” said producer Gulya Hartwick, who founded the company with Sasha Gorskaya. “From ballet-lovers to the ballet-curious, we welcome audiences in Evansville to experience this incredible production firsthand with some of the best dancers on stage today.”

The dazzling new show adapts the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of ill-fated love and American Dream to ballet form, taking audiences back in time to the lavish decadence of the Roaring Twenties. The production features an all-star creative team, including sensual choreography from Ilya Zhivoy performed to an original, lively jazz score from Anna Drubich, sumptuous sets by Sergei Novikov, video projection by Mikki Kunntu and glamorous costumes by Sonya Vartanyan that capture the allure of the Jazz Age.

According to audience surveys, more than 60 percent of World Ballet Company audiences experience ballet for the first time with these productions, which is crucial to the company’s mission. “We created the World Ballet Company because we believe there are audiences for ballet in cities across the country,” said Gorskaya. “We are thrilled that audiences have responded so enthusiastically to the chance to see ballet in their hometown theaters.”

For more information and interview requests, please reach out to: Nataly Trusova at pr@worldballetcompany.com 

Ticket Information:

What:                   The Great Gatsby Ballet

When:                  Saturday, April 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm

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

Tickets:                Tickets start at $41.00 plus applicable fees and tax.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or the Old National Events Plaza Box Office.

This Week at USI

0

Monday through Friday, March 10-14

USI Spring Break

This week, students are on Spring Break. The University is open, but no classes are being held. Classes will resume on Monday, March 17.

USI Events Calendar entry



SAVE THE DATE

March 19

USI School of Graduate Studies spotlighting workforce and career development

The University of Southern Indiana USI is proud to announce the Graduate Student Colloquium, an annual event celebrating the innovative research and scholarly achievements of current and former graduate students.

The colloquium will take place Wednesday, March 19 at Roeder Traditions Lounge in University Center East, providing a platform for students to present their research findings to faculty, peers and the broader academic community. Presentations will also be available virtually.

Read more


 

Begins March 21

USI Friday Night in the Forum film series returns this spring

The USI College of Liberal Arts and English Department will host the Friday Night in the Forum film series on Fridays beginning March 21 and running through April 25. All films will be shown with English subtitles and will begin at 5 p.m. in WA1 (Forum I), which can be accessed from the first floor of the Forum Wing in the Wright Administration Building. The series is open to the public at no charge.

Read more

 


March 26

Pulitzer Prize-winning author to present at 10th annual USI Shaw Biology Lecture

USI will host its 10th annual Shaw Biology Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 in Carter Hall. A book signing will follow the lecture. The event is open to the public at no charge.
Read more


 

March 27

USI Communication and Media Department to host annual Social Media Symposium March 27

The USI College of Liberal Arts and the Communication and Media Department is excited to announce the annual Social Media Symposium, happening at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. The event is open to the public at no charge and will be available virtually through Zoom as well. Registration is required through Zoom for virtual viewing.

Read more


 

April 9-11

USI announces annual SpringFest lineup

The University has announced dates and activities for its annual SpringFest event on campus, and this year, the concert event will be open to the public.

SpringFest, which has become an annual tradition at USI, is happening Wednesday through Friday, April 9-11, on the USI campus. In addition to the Friday concert, SpringFest will feature a variety of events and activities for students to enjoy.

Read more


 

April 23-25

USI Historic New Harmony Heritage Artisans Days returning April 23-25

USI is excited to announce Historic New Harmony’s annual Heritage Artisans Days, taking place Wednesday through Friday, April 23-25, in New Harmony, Indiana. This long-running event will feature artisans demonstrating 19th century trades and professions, offering a hands-on look at how craftspeople lived and worked in New Harmony during its early days.

 

Read more

 



 

USI CALENDAR

A collection of events on campus and in the community can be found on the USI Events Calendar.

Farm to Capitol brings agriculture to the Indiana Statehouse 

0

Farm to Capitol brings agriculture to the Indiana Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (March 10, 2025) – National Ag Day is Tuesday, March 18, 2025 and to celebrate Indiana’s Family of Farmers, a coalition of the state’s agriculture commodity organizations, is hosting a National Ag Day event on the Statehouse Bicentennial plaza called “Farm to Capitol.”

This is the first celebration of this caliber in honor of National Ag Day hosted at the Statehouse. There will be livestock, tractors, food trucks, ag related trivia and freshly popped Indiana popcorn for state employees, legislators and guests from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Who: Legislators, state employees, guests and media

What: A celebration of agriculture featuring livestock, games, Indiana popcorn, food trucks and more

When: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Bicentennial plaza at the Indiana Statehouse (between the statehouse and government centers)