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USI Rechnic Holocaust Series to feature award-winning author, explore Holocaust family history

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The University of Southern Indiana Foundation is hosting the second annual speaker for the Edward D. and Regina Rechnic Holocaust Series from 7-8 p.m. Monday, September 18 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West on the USI campus.

The presentation, “My Family’s Holocaust Story and the Threats We Face Today,” will feature Margaret McMullan, author of nine award-winning books, followed by a Q&A session with audience members. A reception will follow, and the event is open to the public at no charge.

McMullan’s presentation will explore her memoir, Where the Angels Lived: One Family’s Story of Exile, Loss, and Return, and will share her family’s journey to Pécs, Hungary, where she uncovers her Jewish ancestry, a part of her past her grandfather kept hidden. In her memoir, the moment McMullan discovers the existence of Richárd Engel de Jánosi, a long-lost relative, at Israel’s Holocaust Museum, she begins her quest to uncover the forgotten history of her ancestors. In her presentation, she will also discuss Hungary, the spread of authoritarianism and what we, as a society, can do to put an end to it.

McMullan’s novels include When Warhol Was Still Alive; Aftermath Lounge; In My Mother’s House, a Pen/Faulkner nominee; Cashay, a Chicago Public Library Teen Book Selection; When I Crossed No-Bob, a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor, a School Library Journal Best Book, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, a Booklist Best Book For Young Adults, and a Mississippi Center for the Book selection at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C; among others.

Her work has appeared in USA Today, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Glamour and other national outlets. A 2007 Eudora Welty Visiting Writer at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, McMullan has taught in the Low-Residency MFA programs at USI’s Ropewalk Writers Retreat, Converse College, Stony Brook Southampton Writers Conference, Eastern Kentucky University and at Word Theatre’s Writing Retreat in Edale, England. She was the Melvin Peterson Endowed Chair in Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Evansville, where she taught for 25 years.

In addition to her USI presentation, McMullan will teach a series of master classes at USI and in the community the week of the presentation. She will also speak about the Holocaust at five Evansville high schools through CYPRESS, the Committee to Promote Respect in Schools, a committee of current and retired educators and community volunteers founded in Evansville in 1999.

An exhibition will be on display in the USI McCutchan Art Center (MAC)/Pace Galleries in collaboration with the Rechnic Holocaust Series August 21 through October 13. Utilizing prints exclusively from the University collection Multiformity: The Art of Leonard Baskin, the exhibition will feature pieces from Leonard Baskin, a significant 20th century Jewish American artist.

This series is made possible by the late Irene C. Rechnic, daughter of Edward D. and Regina Rechnic, and honors her parents’ struggle to survive the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during WWII, where 960,000 Jews were executed.

Copies of Where the Angels Lived: One Family’s Story of Exile, Loss, and Return will be available for purchase pre- and post-presentation. For questions on the presentation, contact David Bower, President of the USI Foundation, at bower@usi.edu.

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Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,200 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. The University offers study-abroad opportunities in more than 60 countries and hosts international students from around the globe. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at USI.edu. 

USI Awarded Nearly $250,000 Planning Grant From Lilly Endowment

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The University of Southern Indiana has been awarded a nearly $250,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, College and Community Collaboration. The purpose of the initiative is to challenge universities to “envision and undertake collaborative projects with community stakeholders that enhance the quality of life and place in their surrounding communities.”

The planning grant was a collaboration between USI’s College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business and Outreach and Engagement. Known for its record of committing to the economic advancement and cultural betterment of southwest Indiana, USI has been recognized as a “community-engaged” institution by the Carnegie Foundation since 2008.

“We’re grateful that Lilly Endowment has presented us with another occasion to improve the quality of place in the community we serve—an ambition that has always been part of our mission at USI,” said Dr. Del Doughty, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and one of the grant’s three co-principal investigators along with Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar, Dean of the Romain College of Business, and Dawn Stoneking, Executive Director of Outreach and Engagement.

In the next phase, USI will work with the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) to conduct a needs assessment and develop a proposal for an implementation grant that would fund up to $25 million over five years for the project. The deadline for the proposal is March 1, 2024.

E-REP is the region’s leading economic development engine, coordinating the efforts of over 70 businesses, 20-plus non-profit organizations, and 20 government entities and schools. One of E-REP’s signature initiatives, Talent EVV, aims to establish the Evansville region as a “talent and economic region of choice in the Midwest.”

“The College and Community Collaboration initiative enabled through the Lilly Endowment presents another opportunity for E-REP and USI to deepen our partnership, and our ability to serve and positively impact the Evansville Region,” said Tara Barney, E-REP CEO. “The partnership between USI and E-REP represents how the Evansville Region is intentionally aligning assets, connecting key initiatives and facilitating public/private partnerships to advance the Quality of Place for current and future residents.”

Learn More About New State Laws Now In Effect

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Learn More About New State Laws Now In Effect

by State Representative Wendy McNamara

AUGUST 5, 2023

From providing much-needed tax relief to prioritizing students, I supported new state laws during the 2023 legislative session that are now in effect. 

Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year on July 1. This includes the state’s next budget, which is expected to save taxpayers an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief. Thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027.

Indiana’s K-12 spending makes up about half of the state’s $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
To honor members of the armed services, I co-authored a new law so active-duty military receive a complete income tax exemption starting next year. This tax relief could also attract more out-of-state service members and their families to call Indiana home, and help fill the workforce pipeline.Providing Tax Relief for Homeowners
Property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took actions to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.

Increasing High School Relevancy

To boost the number of career-ready students, I co-authored a new law so those in grades 10-12 can soon use Career Scholarship Accounts to pay for career training or industry-recognized certification while in high school. Additionally, the state will review graduation requirements to better accommodate work-based learning experiences. Public high schools will host annual career fairs to encourage connections between students and employers.

As your state representative, I’m committed to delivering results and working hard on your behalf. To learn more about new laws now in effect, click here.

SERIAL CAR PARTS THIEF CONVICTED

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Evansville, IN –Daniel Eugene Payne, a habitual offender, was found guilty of catalytic converter theft this week in a jury trial before Magistrate Judge Celia Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court. Payne faces a sentence minimum of 2.5 years up to 8 years in prison.

Payne’s conviction comes after a thorough investigation of catalytic converter thefts by Evansville Police Department Sergeant Anna Gray who was assisted by Detective Vonderscher, and Vanderburgh County Sheriff Sergeant Hertwick. Payne was developed as a suspect when his distinctive Chevrolet Blazer was caught on surveillance at the sites of the thefts. Payne was eventually linked to several thefts –stealing nearly $9,000 of car parts in three commercial vehicles during one sweep, as one example.

At trial, Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Hutcheson presented crime scene photos and surveillance videos to the jury. After the guilty verdict, Hutcheson thanked internal staff in the Prosecutor’s Office, especially legal secretary Tiffany Lubbehusen, Victim Advocates Melissa McCutchan and Teresa Wink, and Kennadi Hagan for assisting in trial preparation.

Prosecutor Diana Moers thanked her staff and law enforcement for a thorough investigation and prosecution of this theft: “While violent crimes concern us all, these thefts also affect the everyday life, peace, and dignity of Vanderburgh County in a negative way. We will continue to investigate and use all of the resources we have to drive out those who wish to take from others. At sentencing, we will argue for Mr. Payne to leave this county to reside in the Department of Correction where he will be unable to profit from our citizens by stealing.” Sgt. Gray responded: “This was a complicated case involving multiple agencies, but it is a great example of teamwork at its best. I would like to thank the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, and my colleagues at the Evansville Police Department for the many hours spent working on these cases.”

Sentencing is scheduled for August 30, 2023 in front of Magistrate Judge Celia Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court.

 

Senator Mike Braun welcomes National Guard members home from Iraq in Evansville

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Senator Mike Braun welcomes National Guard members home from Iraq in Evansville

JASPER, IN — Yesterday, Senator Mike Braun welcomed members of the 1st Battalion of the 163rd Field Artillery of the Indiana Army National Guard back home after a 9-month deployment in Iraq.

“It was my honor to help Brigadier General Lusk welcome home the 1st Battalion of the 163rd Field Artillery of the Indiana Army National Guard in Evansville. They’ve been in Iraq providing air defense support for the last year. Welcome home, God bless, and thank you for your service!” – Senator Mike Braun

 

Researchers Discover Young Hellbender In Blue River

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Biologists with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Purdue University recently documented a very young hellbender salamander, a gilled larva, in the Blue River while conducting routine surveys in south-central Indiana. This discovery is significant because over the past three to four decades, only adult hellbenders have been documented in the Blue River. The presence of a young salamander suggests that conservation efforts and rearing programs are accomplishing their goals for the recovery of this endangered species.

The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is a large, fully aquatic salamander. Hellbenders do not reach sexual maturity until they are 7-8 years old and require specific habitats to thrive and reproduce. Their decline statewide has been documented as far back as the early-to-mid 1900s as a result of habitat loss and poor water quality. Hellbenders play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are indicators of clean water.

“Finding hellbender larvae is a huge benchmark of the program’s success,” said DNR’s Nate Engbrecht, the state herpetologist. “It tells us that there has been successful breeding, hatching, and recruitment in the wild. It’s a wonderful sign that captive-reared and released hellbenders are doing what we want them to do at this site.”

The Indiana Hellbender Partnership is a collaboration between the Indiana DNR and Purdue University with funding support from the Indiana DNR Nongame Wildlife Fund, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and partners in local governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and zoos that are working to recover the state-endangered hellbender. Developed over 15 years, the Indiana Hellbender Partnership is the largest and most comprehensive group working to recover an imperiled amphibian in Indiana.

Since 2017, Purdue University’s Help the Hellbender Lab and its conservation partners have reared and released nearly 500 juvenile hellbenders into the Blue River. Lab director Rod Williams says, “This finding, the result of nearly two decades of collective effort, signifies a milestone for our conservation program. While we have much left to do, we have evidence our approach is working.”

In the event anglers accidentally hook a hellbender, they are reminded to cut the line and let the salamander go unharmed.

Hot Jobs

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Secretary to Middle School Principal 
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation 3.7 3.7/5 rating – Evansville, IN
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It is scheduled 5 days per week at 8 hours per day. This position works 196 days per year. During the school year, the position follows the approved calendar…
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Wabash Plastics, Inc. 4.1 4.1/5 rating – Evansville, IN
This valued team member will be responsible for greeting all visitors and various HR functions. Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance.
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John Friend and Company PC – Evansville, IN
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Screaming Eagles honored with OVC Medals of Honor

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles had 26 student-athletes recognized with Ohio Valley Conference Medals of Honor, six earning the award twice.

The OVC Academic Medal of Honor is given annually to the student-athletes who achieve the highest grade point average (GPA) in a conference-sponsored sport. Every Academic Medal of Honor recipient for the 2022-23 academic year carried a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Of the 291 award winners, 51 were awarded Academic Medals of Honor for multiple sports (and counted just once in the final recipients list). USI’s 26 Medal of Honor student athletes was fifth most in the OVC. Eastern Illinois ranked first in the OVC with 48 honorees.

The Screaming Eagles receiving of the OVC Medal of Honor awards are:

Academic Medal of Honor:
Baseball (2)
Tyler Hutson
Lucas McNew

Men’s Cross Country (2):
Mitchell Hopf*
Joseph Russler*

Women’s Cross Country (4):
Emma Brown*
McKenna Cavanaugh*
Carmen Rodriguez*
Aubrey Swart*

Women’s Golf (1):
Kelci Katterhenry

Women’s Soccer (5):
Madison Cady
Mia Rose Daly
Elizabeth Lippert
Peyton Murphy
Peyton Wilkinson

Softball (4):
Mackenzie Bedrick
Hailey Gotshall
Hannah Long
Jordan Rager

Men’s Tennis (2):
Omar ElSamahy
Lucas Sakamaki

Women’s Tennis (1):
Rachel McCorkle

Men’s Track and Field (3):
Tyler Garrett
Mitchell Hopf*
Joseph Russler*

Women’s Track & Field (5):
Emma Brown*
McKenna Cavanaugh*
Hadley Fisher
Carmen Rodriguez*
Aubrey Swart*

Volleyball (2):
Leah Anderson
Keira Moore

EPA Awards $1.3M in Research Funding to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to Develop Nanosensors to Detect Pesticides and Mitigate Their Harmful Impacts

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WASHINGTON (July 31, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $1.3 million in funding to a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in Madison, Wisconsin, to develop nanosensor technology that can detect, monitor, and degrade commonly used pesticides found in water that can harm human health.

“Nanotechnology advances are creating a new future for environmental monitoring,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The cutting-edge nanosensor technology that is being developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will help detect pesticides in water at extremely low levels and mitigate the harmful impacts of these pesticides.”

Environmental pollutants such as pesticides can adversely affect human health. Simple and reliable sensors to detect pesticides in water sources can help reduce human exposure. The unique properties of nanomaterials have enabled advances in sensor design, such as portability and rapid signal response times, and provided more cost-effective, efficient, and selective detection and monitoring methods.

Using funding from this grant, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will develop an integrated, portable, sensor-controlled water treatment technology that itself generates the chemicals needed for treatment. The researchers will distribute and deploy the treatment technology across rural communities in Alabama that rely on private and/or community wells for drinking water that have been impacted by neonicotinoids, a commonly used type of pesticide.

Otters mount comeback beat Boomers in tiebreaker

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Evansville, Ind. – The Evansville Otters mounted a two-out ninth inning rally and won the game in a sudden death tiebreaker 5-5 over the Schaumburg Boomers Friday night at Bosse Field.

The Otters were down to their last out in the ninth inning when Austin Bost bashed a solo home run over the left field wall to trim the deficit to one.

Bryan Rosario followed with a base hit and stole second base. Noah Myers walked and then both runners advanced on a wild pitch.

Another wild pitch reached the backstop and scored Rosario, tying the ballgame. The walk off run was stranded at third base.

Jake Polancic entered on the mound for Evansville in the 10th inning and struck out the first two batters. Schaumburg’s Will Prater went 12 pitches with Polancic before blooping a ball down the left field line, scoring the Boomers’ Commissioner’s Runner.

The bottom of the 10th put Kona Quiggle as the Commissioners’ Runner at second base. He advanced to third base on a balk. Jeffrey Baez drove home Quiggle on a sacrifice fly to right field.

Evansville elected to pitch in the sudden death tiebreaker, bringing Polancic back to the mound. The Commissioner’s Runner started at first base and advanced to second base on a bunt.

Polancic then struck out the next two batters to win the game for the Otters.

Schaumburg scored three runs in the first two innings while Evansville scored one apiece in the first two innings.

Myers notched a leadoff hit for Evansville in the first and Baez drove him home.

The Otters hit three straight singles in the second inning and a run scored before the final out of a Boomers’ triple play.

Tim Holdgrafer pitched a quality start for Evansville, allowing three runs over six innings – his 10th quality outing of the year.

Rosario extended his on-base streak to 19 games while Bost notched two hits, the first hits of his pro career.

Evansville battles Schaumburg in the middle game of the series Saturday evening at 6:35 PM CT. Gates open at 5:30 for fans to enjoy Hoosier Lottery and 44 News Star Wars Night.

All home and road Otters games this season are televised on FloSports with audio-only coverage available for free on the Evansville Otters YouTube page.

The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.

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