Home Blog Page 942

Visitation Plans For Terry Becker An Extraordinary Musician, Teacher, And Community Leader

0

Visitation Plans For Terry Becker An Extraordinary Musician, Teacher, And Community Leader

Terry Becker passed away, surrounded by his loving family and friends, on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, after a tragic bicycle accident. Everyone who knew Terry had a special bond with him. That tall, affable, talented, smiling, huggable structure of a man cared deeply for his spouse, friends, and family as well as his students, ensemble members, cast members, audiences, and colleagues; all of whom admired his sweet tenor voice and musicianship. Terry excelled in many civic and artistic endeavors bringing joy and class to our community; these include Civic Theatre, Dick Hyatt’s Musicians Club Chorus, Weak End Players, EVSC/PEF Summer Musicals, Encore Dinner Theatre, The Really Big Show, Under the Beams, and any number of local high school musicals. Terry was a brother, leader, cherished friend, and empathetic mentor to all who shared time with him. As one former student put it, “I don’t know what to say other than he was amazing. He was someone who found ways to help us find our voices, both literally and figuratively.”

About the special, unimpeachable, and ever-lasting love Terry shared with Andy, we can only say how happy we were to have basked in the love and affection they shared, and how bereft we are at Andy’s loss at this tragic moment.

Terry was born in 1948, son of Arnold E. and Bettye Marie (Pruitt) Becker. He was a 1966 graduate of Reitz High School and held a BA from Hanover College and an MA from the University of Evansville. From 1973 to 2012, he taught vocal music and directed fine and performing arts at Thompkins Middle School, North High School, and Signature School, and was director and assistant director of the EVSC All City Choir multiple times.

Terry’s extraordinary keyboard skills made him a highly sought-after pianist and organist in the Tri-State. He directed nearly 50 productions at Thompkins, North High School, and Signature School as well as music director or performer in 18 Civic Theatre productions. Additional community and professional productions include working with the University of Evansville, Reitz High School, Studio 3 Performing Arts, Brundibar, New Harmony Theater, and the 2023 musical Annie in Mt. Vernon.

Terry is survived by Andy Herbertz, his beloved spouse; Bettye Marie Becker, his mother; and by siblings, Stephen Becker (Elaine), Rex Becker (Karen), Sheila Sermersheim; and seven nieces and nephews, and many loving cousins.

A visitation for Terry will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47714. A visitation will occur on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 609 Southeast Second Street, Evansville, Indiana. A funeral service will occur on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 12:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 609 Southeast Second Street, Evansville, Indiana. A final resting place will occur on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Park, 1800 St. George Road, Evansville, Indiana 47711.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Signature School Evansville Music Program.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.

Gov. Holcomb announces historic expansion for 21st Century Scholars Program

0

More than 40,000 students have been automatically enrolled in the 2027 cohort up from 20,000 in the previous cohort

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) today announced that over 40,000 students have been automatically enrolled in the 2027 cohort in the 21st Century Scholars program. Automatic enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program was a key item on the Governor’s 2023 Next Level Agenda to help increase educational attainment. 

Created in 1990, the 21st Century Scholars program is nationally recognized and one of Indiana’s keys to narrowing gaps in educational attainment. The scholarship covers up to full tuition and fees at Indiana colleges and universities for students from low-income backgrounds. The Commission estimates over 20,000 additional students will be enrolled in the program for each 8th grade class. Students who are automatically enrolled must still meet subsequent requirements to obtain the scholarship.

“Indiana’s workforce depends on a skilled talent pipeline,” said Gov. Holcomb. “For over 30 years, the 21st Century Scholarship has played a transformative role in getting more Hoosiers prepared to enroll and succeed in college. Automatically enrolling income-eligible students into this life-changing program will lead to greater levels of educational attainment, stronger communities, and a globally competitive workforce.”

Central to the Commission’s strategy, the program has seen significant change this year with recent legislation that allows the Commission to automatically enroll all financially eligible students into the program. HEA 1449-2023, authored by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., was signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in May after receiving bipartisan support in the Indiana General Assembly.

“This legislation will ensure higher rates of equity for Hoosier students from all walks of life and help more Indiana students achieve a higher education and all the blessings that come with it,” Harris said. “Helping students get enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program will not just help individual students and their families, but the state as a whole by helping us build a skilled, 21st Century economy. This bill is a testament to the good that can happen when lawmakers work together for the benefit of their constituents, and I look forward to seeing the impacts of this bipartisan piece of legislation for generations to come.”

Gaps in educational attainment call for intentional, focused action

Earlier this year, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery called attention to the college-going rate for low-income Black, Hispanic and Latino students in the State of Higher Education Address.

“The college-going rate for students from low-income households who are not part of the 21st Century Scholars program is 30 percent,” Lowery said. “When multiplied by their on-time college completion rate of 27 percent, those students have roughly an 8 percent likelihood of graduating from high school and completing college on time. For Black students, the likelihood is 10 percent, for Hispanic and Latino students, it’s 17 percent. This is unacceptable, and in my view, it is an emergency.”

For Indiana, the 21st Century Scholars program tackles disparities impacting students from low-income households. Since the program’s creation, over 50,000 Scholars have earned a college degree through the scholarship. The Commission’s 2023 College Readiness Report shows that 81 percent of Scholars attended college in 2021 compared to 30 percent of their non-Scholar, low-income peers.

In addition to providing a way to manage the cost of college, the 21st Century Scholars program gives students a peer network and support system, ensuring students have what they need to be successful in college.

About 21st Century Scholars

Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program is an early college promise program designed to help ensure that every Hoosier

student can afford the opportunity provided by a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential. Income-eligible students who maintain the Scholar Pledge through excellence in school and life can receive a scholarship for up to 100 percent of tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university upon graduation from high school. The program was created in 1990 and celebrates 30 years of success in 2020.

Mayor’s Cup tickets on sale now! USI-UE showdown set for September 9

0

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Tickets for the 2023 Mayor’s Cup, featuring University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville men’s soccer teams, are on sale now and tickets can be purchased on-line through the USI Ticket Office for $10 each.

Tickets purchased in advance will be available at will call or can be picked up at the USI Ticket Office in Screaming Eagles Arena September 7 and 8 between 2 p.m.-4 p.m. A portion of each ticket sold benefits the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana.

Tickets are limited, so Screaming Eagles and Purple Aces fans are encouraged to buy in advance. USI students will be admitted free of charge with a valid University ID while tickets last. For questions or more information, call the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.

Forbes and Statista name USI among “America’s Best-in-State Employers 2023” ranking for second consecutive year

0

The University of Southern Indiana has been included in the fifth annual “America’s Best-in-State Employers” ranking for the second year in a row. According to a nationwide survey conducted on behalf of Forbes by Statista, USI is ranked 56th, up six spots from its 2022 ranking, alongside national employers such as Adobe, United Parcel Service and Tesla.

To determine the list, Statista surveyed 70,000 Americans working for entities with a minimum of 500 employees. Surveys were anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions. Respondents were asked to rate their employers on a variety of criteria including diversity, compensation packages, potential for development and more.

Statista then asked respondents how likely they would be to recommend their employer to others and to nominate organizations in industries outside their own. The number of businesses ranked in each state was dependent on two factors: the number of qualifying employers and the size of the state’s workforce. Employers with operations in more than one state had the opportunity to be listed multiple times.

“Our students are the heart of our mission, and our employees serve as the driving force behind our students’ success,” says Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI President. “Achieving this recognition for the second consecutive year reaffirms that our exceptional qualities stem from our dedicated University community. Our employees’ unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of innovative approaches, in and out of the classroom, consistently bring about transformative experiences for USI.”

The final list ranks 1,392 employers who received the greatest number of recommendations in each of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia. USI is one of seven Indiana higher education institutions included on the list and currently has approximately 2,200 employees.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AWARD BUFFALO TRACE COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WITH ARPA FUNDS

0

With the support of Vanderburgh County Council, the Vanderburgh County Commissioners were proud to award Buffalo Trace Council, Boy Scouts of America with $25,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.

To respond to the public health emergency impact with respect to COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts, Vanderburgh County appropriated funds to non-profit organizations whose missions focus on arts, culture, and educational initiatives benefiting the County’s residents.

Buffalo Trace Council, Boy Scouts of America’s mission is “to prepare young people to make
ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.” Creating the next generation of leaders, the Buffalo Trace Council provides Scouting initiatives to over 2,500 boys and girls across 15 counties in southwest Indiana and southern Illinois. In Vanderburgh County, the Council prepares over 1,000 youth for service to their communities.

John G. Harding, Scout Executive, commented, “We are very grateful to the Vanderburgh
County Council and Commissioners for this grant. Scouting is continuing to rebound from
COVID-19 with a bright future ahead. We look forward to providing new learning opportunities for our youth as they adventure into leadership.”

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability Of $350 Million In Grants To Cut Methane Emissions From Oil And Gas Sector

1

WASHINGTON (Aug. 30, 2023) – In support of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) announced today the availability of up to $350 million in formula grant funding to help monitor and reduce methane emissions, one of the biggest drivers of climate change, from the oil and gas sector and for environmental restoration of well sites. The funding, provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, will also help oil and gas well owners, as well as operators of applicable facilities, voluntarily and permanently reduce methane emissions from leaks and daily operations of low-producing conventional wells on non-federal lands. Through the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, EPA and DOE will help reduce inefficiencies of U.S. oil and gas operations, create new jobs in energy communities, and realize near-term emission reductions – helping reach the nation’s ambitious climate and clean air goals.

“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we now have unprecedented funding to cut methane pollution that is fueling the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This investment will increase competition and help small and medium-sized producers compete on a more level playing field, create new good-paying jobs in energy communities, and support environmental restoration, making clear that strengthening our economy, tackling climate change, and protecting our communities go hand in hand.”

“Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, so it’s crucial that we work closely with states and industry to develop solutions that will cut emissions at their source,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, DOE’s partnership with EPA will bolster our national efforts to monitor and mitigate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector – our largest source of industrial methane – while helping revitalize energy communities and delivering long-lasting health and environmental benefits across the country.”

This action is the first in a series of funding opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act that will target monitoring and reduction of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. EPA and DOE plan to announce competitive funding opportunities following this non-competitive solicitation and have partnered to offer technical assistance to help industry monitor and reduce methane emissions from leaks and daily operations. This combination of technical and financial assistance is expected to help improve efficiency of U.S. oil and gas operations and provide new economic opportunities in energy communities, as well as realize near-term emission reductions.

EPA and DOE are collaborating alongside other members of the new White House Methane Task Force, which is advancing a whole-of-government approach to proactive methane leak detection and data transparency and supporting state and local efforts to mitigate and enforce methane emissions regulations. Today’s actions by EPA and DOE accelerate execution of the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, building on over 80 Administration actions taken in less than a year since the Plan launched in November 2022.

The deadline for states to apply for this funding opportunity is September 30, 2023 at 5PM ET. For any questions on the application, applicants should submit written questions through the FedConnect portal at FedConnect.net. For any technical issues with grants.gov, please contact grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. More information, including applicant eligibility, can be found at grants.gov.

About the Methane Emissions Reduction Program

The Methane Emissions Reduction Program, created by the Inflation Reduction Act, provides $1.55 billion in funding, including financial and technical assistance to improve methane monitoring and reduce methane and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the oil and gas sector with the co-benefit of reducing non-GHG emissions such as volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. The program allows financial and technical assistance for a number of activities, including: preparing and submitting greenhouse gas reports, monitoring methane emissions, and reducing methane and other greenhouse gas emissions by improving and deploying equipment, supporting innovation, permanently reducing methane emissions from low-producing conventional wells, mitigating health effects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, improving climate resiliency, supporting environmental restoration, and mitigating legacy air pollution.

Grand Reopening and Concert for UE’s Wheeler Concert Hall

0

EVANSVILLE, IND. (08/30/2023)

Grand Reopening and Concert for UE’s Wheeler Concert Hall

WHO: University of Evansville Music Conservatory

WHAT: University of Evansville’s Wheeler Concert Hall Grand Reopening and Concert

WHEN: Tuesday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. CDT

WHERE: Wheeler Concert Hall in Krannert Hall of Art and Music

DETAILS: Wheeler Concert Hall has undergone a major $3 million renovation, and there will be a grand reopening ceremony and concert to celebrate. The renovation includes state of the art acoustics, lighting, seating, flooring, and aesthetic improvements. New York composer Stephen Shewan was commissioned to write a piece that incorporates UE school songs, and it will be premiered at the grand reopening by faculty and students. Major donors will be thanked and recognized. There will be a reception following the concert in the Krannert lobby.

Gov. Holcomb announces $30M historic funding for school safety

0

Nearly $30 million dedicated to 474 Hoosier schools for school safety grants

Indianapolis (Aug. 29, 2023) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced the approval of more than $29.8 in matching state grants, marking the fifth straight year of record-breaking investments in the safety of Indiana schools.

Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly approved Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda budget proposal to increase the Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) by $25M each year. Due to additional funding from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) budget, the Board voted to approve all application requests, totaling 605 projects for 474 schools.

“These school safety grants represent another example of historic investments in public safety,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I am pleased we are able to financially support every school that identified safety as a top priority.”

Since 2013, Indiana has invested in school safety, when the SSSG program was initiated.

For this fiscal year, the board approved $29,824,803.67 in school safety funding. The performance period for the grants begins September 1. Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 agenda also included significant modernizing reforms to the SSSG through House Enrolled Act 1492, including broader access, greater flexibility and new uses.

Category Number of applicants Dollars allocated
SRO/LEO 302 $19,425,611.83
Equipment/Tech/Hardware 218 $8,325,667.02
Student/Parent Support Services 31 $1,150,253.41
Training 21 $160,820.29
Firearms Training for Staff 7 $101,979
AEWS (no match) 6 $100,737,50
Site Vulnerability Assessment 7 $20,962.82
Bullying Prevention 2 $17,000
Design and Construction 11 $521,771.80
Post-incident Counseling Services 0 $0
Total 605 $29,824,803.67
SRO/LEO 302 $19,425,611.83

“Since the inception of the Secured Schools Safety Grant program, we have listened to schools across the state about what they see as their greatest needs in the way of safety,” said IDHS Executive Director Joel Thacker. “As a result, this year we can offer more eligible funding categories than ever before, leading to safer schools and an overall better learning environment. “

A complete breakdown of recipient schools and the total amount of their awards can be found here. 

The Indiana School Safety Hub also provides schools with a wealth of resources, training opportunities and other information designed to give schools the tools they need to keep students and staff safe.

USI Society of Arts and Humanities organization back on campus

0

This summer, members of the USI Society of Arts and Humanities gathered to bring the organization back after COVID-19 hindered its events and meetings from happening. With the new academic year comes a fresh start for the organization.

The USI Society for Arts and Humanities organization has enriched the lives of students and provides communication between the community and USI’s various arts and humanities activities. The Society is especially proud to fund four full-tuition scholarships to USI and support student development by assisting student research and travel to conferences, museums, concerts and exhibits.

Members will enjoy exclusive events such as “A Toast to the Arts,” the annual international gala and auction held in February to benefit all the programs the Society applauds. They can also be awarded tickets to USI Theater events and provided a scholarship in their name at the University depending on their contribution level.

From 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 28, the USI Society for Arts and Humanities will host its first event of the academic year for new and returning members at City View event venue in Evansville. Attendees can mix and mingle with members of the community that share a love of the arts, and if they are not already a member, attendees can sign up at the event.

If you like the idea of supporting the arts and humanities and enjoy the friendship of students, scholars and other professionals, consider becoming a member of the USI Society for Arts and Humanities.

Otters clinch postseason spot with Holdgrafer masterclass

0

Sauget, Ill. – The Evansville Otters punched their ticket to the 2023 Frontier League postseason with a 6-0 win against the Gateway Grizzlies on Thursday night.

Tim Holdgrafer worked the Otters’ first complete game of the season. He earned the win in the shutout effort, giving up no runs on six hits, striking out six and not allowing a walk all evening.

The Otters broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning as Bryan Rosario scored on an error. Evansville added another as Noah Myers singled home a run.

The lead was tripled in the seventh as George Callil and Kona Quiggle each hit two-run home runs, bringing the lead to 6-0.

Holdgrafer led the Otters the rest of the way, sitting down the Grizzlies’ final seven batters.

Collin Sullivan received the loss for Gateway, allowing two runs on three hits across five innings of work.

In the win, Myers scored his 84th run of 2023, setting a new record for single season runs by an Otter, passing Josh Allen, who scored 83 in 2017.

The night not only clinched the Otters playoff spot, but also their final finish position. With Schaumburg’s win against Florence, Evansville will be the three seed and play at Schaumburg Tuesday, September 5th in the Frontier League West Division Wild Card game.

Before postseason action can begin, Evansville begins their final series of the 2023 regular season on Friday at Schaumburg for a 6:30 PM CT first pitch from Grizzlies Ballpark.

1...941942943...7,189Page 942 of 7,189