The Office of Admission is excited to welcome approximately 90 families tomorrow - Friday, July 14 - for the Summer Purple Visit Day. While on campus, the visitors will have the opportunity to explore their area of interest, take a tour of the University, meet with many other campus representatives, and enjoy lunch on campus.

Lolly’s Pop Bar (recently featured in the Courier & Press) will also be on campus on Friday to offer our visitors a sweet treat.

Members of the campus community can visit Lolly’s Pop Bar during the hours of 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Ridgway University Center and purchase a bar for $3.50.

Please offer our visitors a warm UE welcome!

The UE Gardeners have announced that their second Farmers' Market will take place tomorrow - Friday, July 14 - beginning at 8:00 a.m. The Farmers Market is housed in Ridgway University Center.

Submitted by Bill Hemminger bh35@evansville.edu

University of Evansville head cross country coach Don Walters announced that the Bailey George Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, August 5, to honor the memory of former Purple Aces runner Bailey George, who passed away from cancer in 2016.

Registration for the event is just $20 with all proceeds going directly into the Bailey George Scholarship Fund at the University of Evansville.

All participants will have the opportunity to run on the Angel Mounds Cross Country Course. The 100 percent grass cross country course at Angel Mounds provides excellent footing for the competitors, and clear sightlines for spectators. The host location for the 2016 U-18 National Championship (with over 2500 competitors), the 2015 MVC Championships, and University of Evansville home meets, the course will also be the location of the 2017 NCAA Division II Championships.

The race begins at 9:00 a.m. and is an untimed event. There will be a clock at the finish line. A 400-meter children’s race will also take place.

“This event is a great way to celebrate Bailey and what was important to her. Being outside, physical fitness, and cross country were important things to her, and I’m glad that we are able to celebrate her, and what was important to her, at her home cross country course,” says Coach Don Walters.

In 2016, 300 runners and walkers took part in the inaugural memorial run and walk.

Pre-registration is encouraged at www.uealumnionline.com/BaileyGeorgeRun17. Day-of registration will also be accepted. If you cannot attend this event but would like to contribute to the Bailey George Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit www.evansville.edu/give.

For more information, please contact UE head cross country coach Don Walters at 812-457-4103.

The UE Bookstore will be closing at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21, so that the yearly floor cleaning and waxing can be completed. Please plan your store visit accordingly. Please contact the UE Bookstore with any questions.

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu 

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre is holding auditions for child actors to play major roles in the upcoming musical, Fun Home, on Tuesday, July 25, at 7:00 p.m., in Shanklin Theatre.

The roles being cast require two boys (8 to 14 years old) and one girl (10–14 years old). Child actors must be available evenings from August 5-October 1, although they will not be called for rehearsal every evening. Performance dates are September 22 -24 and September 28-October 1.

Interested young actors should prepare one musical selection from a Broadway musical. Please bring sheet music to the audition, as a piano accompanist will be provided. Additional vocal selections and reading from the script will also be expected.

Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel provided the basis for this 2015 Tony Award-winning musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. In his review in The New York Times, Ben Brantley wrote “Fun Home isn’t just a coming out story or a coming-of-age story. Its universality comes from its awareness of how we never fully know even those closest to us, and of the undercurrent of grown-up secrets, intuited by children, that exists to some degree in every family. Fun Home finds a shining clarity that lights up the night.”

Questions about auditions should be directed to R. Scott Lank at SL29@evansville.edu. Lank is slated to direct and Gregory B. Rike will serve as the musical director.  

Dear Campus Community,

As you know, the office of admission continues to enhance the visit experience for our prospective students in order to make them feel welcome and at home on our campus.  Added communication prior to events, updated event schedules and tour routes, a new hotel partnership, and personalized visit experiences are all things we’ve recently done to make a lasting impression on our visitors.

The latest enhancement is the addition of special parking signs in front of Olmsted Administration Hall that will be personalized to welcome each arriving guest by name. These signs will be installed during the week of July 10. You’ll also notice that additional purple parking spaces have been added to the parking area in front of Olmsted. In order to ensure that each visiting guest has a place to park, we’re asking for your help to keep the purple spaces open at all times (including the summer months). Please help us communicate this change to your various constituency groups including student workers, outside guests, and others so that we may make a positive first impression on our visitors.

Thank you for continuing to be an important part of the campus visit experience. We truly appreciate the enthusiasm and cooperation from the entire campus community in making the experience special for each of our visitors.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shane Davidson
Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing

We recently announced a partnership with Chartwells, a new food service provider who will begin serving the campus community throughout the fall 2017 semester. Chartwells will offer menu items from Chick-fil-A and Starbucks as well as several other new dining options and construction will begin soon. The proposed construction timeline is as follows:

July 10-17:  Construction begins in café court

August 21:  Construction begins on Chick-fil-A

August 23:  First day of school and opening of:
• Rademacher’s Coffee Shop featuring We Proudly Serve Starbucks
• Student Choice Station where students determine what will be served each semester
• Anytime dining providing all-you-can-eat access from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• 24-hour access to a satellite Smart Market Express stocked with fresh food daily in Koch Center

Late October:  Expected Chick-fil-a Grand Opening

Updates will be provided periodically. Just think about how good those warm waffle fries will taste on a brisk October day…

The University of Evansville’s 23rd president, Thomas A. Kazee, will step down on May 31, 2018, after an eight-year tenure at the institution. Since his inauguration in June 2010, Kazee has led UE as it has developed new programs, enhanced and expanded its physical facilities, and extended its reach as an international institution.

“Dr. Kazee has provided outstanding leadership to this great University,” said Linda White, Chairman of University of Evansville’s Board of Trustees. “During his eight years as president, we have witnessed the development of innovative new programs spearheaded by an outstanding faculty and staff.”

Under his leadership, UE has implemented a facilities master plan that includes new student townhouses as well as renovations and additions of key academic buildings, such as the Bower-Suhrheinrich Library. Hyde Hall, the most heavily used classroom building on campus, will undergo a major renovation in May 2018 following the recent completion of the first $5 million fundraising milestone for the project. The largest gift in UE history was secured during Kazee’s presidency after donor and longtime friend to the University, William L. Ridgway, left UE $39 million from his estate.

UE has also added important new academic programs, including a Physician Assistant Masters program, which will be located in the new Academic and Health Science Research campus in downtown Evansville when it opens in the 2018-19 academic year.  Other new programs added during Kazee’s tenure include Statistics and Data Science, Masters in Public Health, and a learning-in-retirement program.  Moreover, UE’s unique Fellows program, which recruits students from high schools around the state, has made the campus a more diverse and inclusive place.

“I’m proud to reflect on my career at the University of Evansville, and I know the successes accomplished during my time here could not have been done alone,” said Kazee. “The UE family is made up of an outstanding group of individuals with a passion for the success of this University and the students who pass through its doors.”

During Kazee’s tenure, the University has been a leader in career preparation through its pioneering Center for Career Development, which is dedicated to support students' career exploration from before they enroll through post-graduate life. In addition, the University now offers its innovative “UE Guarantee,” a commitment to students that ensures substantial financial aid, internships, study abroad, and four-year graduation.

Other key advancements under Kazee’s leadership include the addition of the McCarthy Greenhouse, substantial land acquisition around Harlaxton College—UE’s renowned living-learning center in Grantham, England—and the restoration and move of the historic Peters-Margedant House through the city of Evansville to its new home on the UE campus.

“It’s impossible to thank each person I’ve been fortunate to work with during my time at UE,” said Kazee. “I hope each and every one of them—students, faculty, staff, and administrators—know how truly grateful I am to have worked alongside such a passionate and talented group of people.”

UE’s prominence regionally and nationally has also benefitted from Kazee’s leadership roles on the Council of Independent Colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the New American Colleges and Universities consortium, and the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

Kazee’s wife, Sharon, has been deeply involved in the Evansville community as an advocate for arts and education.  She has served on many boards, including those for the Signature School, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Vincent-Evansville Hospital, and the Evansville Museum.  She was also instrumental in founding the DaVinci Institute, a network of Evansville community leaders facilitating creative educational opportunities for K-12 learners and those who support them.

A political scientist, Kazee served for 18 years on the faculty at Davidson College and four years as Dean of the College at the University of the South (Sewanee). Prior to coming to UE, he served as Provost and Executive Vice President at Furman University. He received a B.A. in political science from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, in 1974, and a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University in 1978.

“I’ve had a long and fulfilling career,” Kazee said. “I’m ready to make the shift from full-time academic administration to do many things that I’ve postponed for too long.  It will be fun to read a book that doesn’t deal directly with higher education!” 

At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 academic year, the Kazees intend to relocate to Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. Their plans include travel and visits to children and grandchildren. Son, Geoff, is a turf management specialist who will soon be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. Daughter, Nicole, is the Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at the Erie Family Health Center in Chicago, Illinois. Nicole lives with her husband Andy and three-year-old twins, Cora and Milo, in Chicago.

“The Board of Trustees wish Dr. Kazee and his wife, Sharon, the very best as they venture forward,” said White.

There's a new UE stories abroad submission available on the study abroad website! Spanish education major Jennifer Riedford has written all about her semester in Spain, including her experiences trying to master the Spanish language, adjusting to the Spanish lifestyle, and a trip with friends that almost ended in disaster!

You can read all about her story by visiting the study abroad stories webpage.

Submitted by Greta Becker gb91@evansville.edu

As you know, the University has signed an agreement with Chartwells, a new food service provider. In addition to general dining options beginning this fall, Chartwells is also the catering services provider to the campus community.

Please direct all catering requests to the new catering e-mail address at UEcatering@evansville.edu. Sodexo’s service to the University ended on Thursday, June 22. Any requests sent to the previous catering@evansville.edu address will automatically be forwarded to the new address.

Chartwells Catering Contact Information
UECatering@evansville.edu
Kellie Short
Director of Dining Services
765-641-4262

Read more about Chartwells’ services, including menu favorites from Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, on our website here.

University of Evansville marketing students have developed a digital marketing plan for Direct Care For Me (DCM), a Nashville, Tennessee, company cofounded by UE alumnus Matthew Taber. DCM helps primary care physicians convert to direct primary care, a low cost, no insurance necessary, payment model. The company’s goal is to provide patients with access to low cost health care and to simplify the way physicians practice medicine.

Five student teams researched the DCM business model and industry characteristics, analyzed various aspects of the company’s marketing activities, and developed digital marketing strategies and tactics. The project involved multiple visits and interactions between the students and Taber to assure validity and relevance.

At the University of Evansville, digital marketing is an upper level marketing course that focuses on digital technology and modern marketing techniques to help businesses reach their potential by connecting with their target audiences in a more effectively and efficiently. Timely courses and projects such as digital marketing are integral in helping businesses prosper and presenting students with knowledge and skills required to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment.

“Such experiential projects as these challenge students to be critical observers and creative planners at levels beyond the regular course content,” explained UE assistant professor of marketing Atefeh Yazdanparast. “Students are provided with the opportunity to make a difference in the business community, thereby gaining confidence in their abilities as future business leaders.”

Taber said his collaboration with the UE student teams was very professional and yielded high quality results.

“The feedback and recommendations provided by the students were extremely valuable. The depth of their analysis will help us to take our business to new places that we did not think were even within our reach. The suggestions by students have greatly helped us communicate better with prospects.”

“As a UE alumnus,” Taber added, “I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with the University on this project. Connecting with students helped me change my perspective about marketing a company in the era of digital technology.” 

Bhargavi Bandi, enrollment technology specialist, recently presented at the 5th annual Slate Conference in Chicago, Illinois, on June 29-30. 

Her presentation was titled 'Using Slate in Years 2+,'

Bandi's presentation was formed from her expertise of the Slate platform as a way to share best practices with other institutions.

Over 600 colleges and universities were represented at this year's Slate Conference.

University of Evansville DPT ’17 graduate Kristen Sholander recently presented research at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Next Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.

The poster is titled "The Effect of a Group Exercise Rehabilitation Program on Psychosocial Outcomes for Individuals who have Experienced a Stroke."

Under the direction of assistant professor of physical therapy Tzurei Chen, Sholander led the data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of the project.

The research study analyzed psychosocial outcomes in individuals who have experienced a stroke, after participating in eight weeks of the Acercise pro bono group exercise program. The study specifically looked at changes in depression, quality of life, and participation in activities.

“Most participants had improvements in all areas after only 8 weeks, which indicates that Acercise does more than just help people physically. The group atmosphere truly contributes to improved mental, emotional, and social well-being,” Sholander said.

Sholander has accepted a physical therapy position in acute care at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Pengcheng Xiao, assistant professor of mathematics, has had an article published in Science China Technological Sciences. The article is entitled "Seizures dynamics in a neural field model of cortical-thalamic circuitry." The article is part of his ongoing collaboration with Professor Honghui Zhang in China. You can read the article online.

Seventy-four student-athletes highlight more than 1,500 who earned selection to the 2016-17 Missouri Valley Conference Honor Roll, as announced by the league office. Those 74 student-athletes earned the league’s highest academic achievement by capturing the Missouri Valley Conference President’s Council Academic Excellence Award.

The President's Council Academic Excellence Award requires a minimum 3.8 cumulative grade point average (through Spring 2017 semester), participation in athletics a minimum of two years, and the student-athlete must be within 18 hours of graduation. Also, hundreds of student-athletes received the league’s Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award, which requires a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for the previous two semesters, a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average, and participation in athletics. 

In addition, the Missouri Valley Conference has announced its 2016-17 Honor Roll, which recognizes academic achievement of student-athletes. To qualify for the Valley Honor Roll, a student-athlete must have recorded a minimum 3.2 grade point average for a specified term (Fall 2016/Spring 2017), must have been a member of an athletics team, and must have a minimum of 12 hours of enrollment during the fall or spring semesters.

Below are the honorees for each award from the University of Evansville.

Presidents Council Academic Award Recipients
Blake Simmons - Men's Basketball
Everett Plocek - Mens' Swimming
Whitney Biggs - Women's Soccer
Bronwyn Boswell - Women's Soccer
Colleen Dierkes - Women's Soccer

Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award Recipients
Blake Simmons - Men's Basketball
Benjamin Woolems - Men's Cross Country
Zachary Blaydes - Men's Soccer
Cameron Gilreath - Men's Soccer
Brian Hughes - Men's Soccer
Matthew Keller - Men's Soccer
Andrew Cotton - Men's Swimming & Diving
Brendan Ninneman - Men's Swimming & Diving
Everett Plocek - Men's Swimming & Diving
Peyton Langston - Women's Basketball
Camary Williams - Women's Basketball
Ashton Bosler - Women's Cross Country
Kayla Katterhenry - Women's Golf
Carly Waggoner - Women's Golf
Bailee Bostic - Softball
Olivia Cheatham - Softball
Mickaela Fleming - Softball
Samantha Fleming - Softball
Tess Hupe - Softball
Ashlee Kawall - Softball
Kristin Koepke - Softball
Morgan Lambert - Softball
Michal Luckett - Softball
Susan Norris - Softball
Bailee Porter - Softball
Whitney Biggs - Women's Soccer
Bronwyn Boswell - Women's Soccer
Colleen Dierkes - Women's Soccer
Montana Portenier - Women's Soccer
Taylor Davidson - Women's Swimming & Diving
Kaylee Gubricky - Women's Swimming & Diving
Jessica Hildebrand - Women's Swimming & Diving
Michaela Kent - Women's Swimming & Diving
Sylvia McFadden - Women's Swimming & Diving
Kasey Rein - Women's Swimming & Diving
Andjela Brguljan - Women's Tennis
Rocio Fortuny - Women's Volleyball
Olivia Goldstein - Women's Volleyball
Montana Schafer - Women's Volleyball
Hin Ching Rachel Tam - Women's Volleyball

Honor Roll List

Baseball
Kenton Crews
Nicholas Eggemeyer
Trey Hair
Dalton Horstmeier
Matthew Jones
Adam Lukas
Stewart Nelson
Nathan Reeder
Jake Sperry
Connor Strain
Blake Swanger
Andrew Tanous
Travis Tokarek
James Ward

Men's Basketball
Silas Adheke
Jaylon Brown
Soloman Hainna
David Howard
Blake Simmons
Dru Smith
Dalen Traore

Men's Cross Country
Jordan Carpenter
Stanley Chepchieng
Philip Dzienciol
Ross Frondorf
Enrique Hendrix
Paul Schwartz
Benjamin Woolems

Men's Golf
Tyler Gray
Matthew Ladd
Wilson Pahud
Jon Pick
Robert Waggoner
Cameron Weyer

Men's Soccer
Zachary Blaydes
Kyle Brown
Cameron Cool
Hunter DeWeese
Ian Gammon
Cameron Gilreath
Cesar Guitunga Jr.
Brian Hughes
Matthew Keller
Nicky Kodua
Ryan Koenig
Eric McDougal
Ian McGrath
Gregory Niven
Arlick Ntabana
Christopher Shuck
Thomas Skupien
Jesse Stafford-Lacey
Simon Weaver
Caleb Williams

Men's Swimming & Diving
Jacob Buagh
Matthew Childress
Andrew Cotton
Paul Cozzens
Isaac Devaney
Matthew Duke
William Glasscock
Luke Hoffman
Keystone Marcy
Prescott Marcy
Brendan Ninneman
Daniel O'Brien
Everett Plocek
Zachary Sagan
Jacob Sampson
Andrew Schroder
David Stottard
Robert Sutphin

Women's Basketball
Kaylan Coffman
Sara Dickey
Brooke Dossett
Peyton Langston
Marley Miller
Sasha Robinson
Camary Williams

Women's Cross Country
Katherine Beaber
Ashton Bosler
Sienna Crews
Hayley Elliott
Kylie Hasenour
Michelle Karp
Anna Loef
Ashley Torres
Hannah Welsh

Women's Golf
Guilia Chaves Mallmann
Kayla Katterhenry
Maria Pickens
Lexie Sollman
Carly Waggoner

Women's Soccer
Nicole Baham
Whitney Biggs
Bronwyn Boswell
Jordin Campbell
Colleen Dierkes
Emily Griebel
Mikayla Harvey
Molly Lear
Margaret Leazer
Tess Lombard
Laura Minor
Jessica O'Shaughnessy
Sara Osinski
Sierra Selene Pagan
Montana Portenier
Julie Rabe
Emily Richardson
Emily Rickett
JBess Ruby
Kasey Stefan

Softball
Bailee Bostic
Amanda Blakenship
Danielle Cassidy
Olivia Cheatham
Mickaela Fleming
Samantha Fleming
Morgan Florey
Tess Hupe
McKenzie Johnson
Ashlee Kawall
Kori Keyes
Kristin Koepke
Morgan Lambert
Courtney Land
Alexandra Latoria
Emily Lockhart
Michal Luckett
Susan Norris
Chandra Parr
Bailee Porter
Hayli Scott
Deja Shelton

Women's Swimming & Diving
Ashton Adams
Kayla Aitken
Courtney Coverdale
Taylor Davidson
Danielle Freeman
Adrianne Gamester
Samantha Gowdy
Kaylee Gubricky
Emma Hennessy
Jessica Hildebrand
Michaela Kent
Sylvia McFadden
Kristen Myers
Kasey Rein
Aine Scholand
Amy Smith
Alaina Sylvester
Alyssa Vonder Harr
Shaina Weisberg

Women's Tennis
Nicoli Attili Pereira
Andjela Brguljan
Leah Helpingstine
Andrea Pascual Larrinaga
Daria Pentsova
Theodora Soldatou
Chieko Yamada

Volleyball
Deja Clark
Rocio Fortuny
Olivia Goldstein
Jelena Merseli
Mildrelis Rodriguez Cintron
Montana Schafer
Catherine Schreiber
Rachel Tam

The University of Evansville’s own Diana Tkachenko - the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year – finished the 2017 season in the final ITA Regional Tennis Rankings.

Tkachenko completed her inaugural collegiate season ranked 20th in singles in the Ohio Valley Region.

"This past season had so many positives; it has really been such a positive affirmation that others have taken notice,” Purple Aces head coach Jayson Wiseman said. “For Chieko to have made the MVC All Select team and Diana to be named Freshman of the Year were great accomplishments for the program.”

“To have Diana recognized as one of the top 20 players in our region is really something for her and our team to build on,” Wiseman added. “Looking at the players ranked ahead of her, she has beaten several of them in the past and a number of those players were seniors this year. After talking with Diana once the rankings came out, she is very motivated to improve on that ranking and really help push our whole team forward. She and I are both excited to get back to work this fall!"

During the 2016-17 season, Tkachenko went 31-8 overall and 6-1 in MVC action. She began the year with an impressive showing in the fall, highlighted by a second place finish at second-flight singles in the MVC Individual Tournament, which was hosted by UE at Wesselman Park.

Atefeh Yazdanparast, assistant professor of marketing, has had a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Marketing Management. The paper, titled "The Dark Side of Consumer Life in the Age of Virtual and Mobile Technology," explores the nature of consumer-technology relationship, specifically virtual and mobile technology, at the level of lived experience. The findings reflect eight important facets of technology-related dark-side consumer behavior that, in one way or another, cause harm to the individual user, other consumers, or society at large.

Robert Dion, chair of the Department of Law, Politics, and Society, was the recipient of the 2017 “Making Democracy Work” Award at the annual meeting of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana last weekend. 

"As both an educator and an advocate, Dr. Dion has advanced the ideas of democracy, good governance and civil rights in our community," the League stated. "He helps make democracy work by sharing his expertise and insights, prompting us to think, and helping us understand and respond to the complex, confusing, challenging and - currently - often frustrating political system that is the United States democracy." 

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that works to empower voters and encourage participation in the democratic process, and the Making Democracy Work award is their signature program for recognizing community leaders who advance these aims. Previous recipients include Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court, State Senator Vaneta Becker, and Representative Gail Riecken.

Paul Bone, associate professor of creative writing, recently published a poem titled "Poem" in the American Journal of Poetry. You can read Bone's poem on the American Journal of Poetry's website. Bone's poem is an homage to American poet Brigit Pegeen Kelly, who died in 2016, and a direct response to her poem, "Song." You can read her poem "song" on the Poets.org website.