University of Evansville

AceNotes Today

Thursday, July 5, 2018

* UE welcomes President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz

Christopher PietruszkiewiczThe University of Evansville welcomes President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz as the institution's 24th president. President Pietruszkiewicz officially begins his new duties on Monday, July 2.

“I am delighted to join the University of Evansville community and look forward to working together with an exceptional faculty and outstanding staff to provide an education of distinction,” Pietruszkiewicz said. “From an international experience ranked number 1 in the country, to 96 percent of students participating in real-world externship experiences, to 94 percent graduating with meaningful jobs or graduate school awaiting them, I am eager to build on the tremendous success of UE. There is so much more we will do together.”

He was chosen for the position of UE president after an exhaustive nationwide search. The presidential search committee was led by UE trustee Sally Rideout, and the Board of Trustees elected Pietruszkiewicz in a formal vote on March 28. Former UE president Thomas A. Kazee retired in May after eight years of service to the University.

Rideout noted that “Pietruszkiewicz’s comprehensive understanding of the overall institutional operation and his successful leadership of taking Stetson’s independently operating College of Law through a time of great change made him stand out. The committee believes his vision and leadership style are a strong match for the University of Evansville and our entire community.”

Pietruszkiewicz served as dean and professor of law at Stetson University College of Law for six years. The College of Law is located three hours from Stetson’s undergraduate campus and is autonomous in managing its $40 million annual budget. As dean, Pietruszkiewicz was closely involved with all faculty, administration, and operations. Under his leadership, Stetson’s College of Law contributed more than 30,000 hours of service to the community, and alumni support has increased by 39 percent.

During his time at Stetson, Pietruszkiewicz established an enrollment management model to strengthen entering student credentials, increased diversity of student body, improved a nationally recognized academic success program ranked top 30 in the US out of 202 law schools, and enhanced employment opportunities for graduating students.

Pietruszkiewicz created the first public-private 3+3 program in the United States at Stetson. In this program, undergraduate students attend law school after just three years and first year credits in law school are applied to the fourth year of undergraduate studies. Pietruszkiewicz was also instrumental in creating the first medical-legal program in the United States, a program in which Stetson’s law school and the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine collaborate to assist veterans in obtaining benefits based on their service.

During Pietruszkiewicz’s tenure at Stetson, the annual fund increased substantially and the number of donors grew significantly last year. Additionally, 13 alumni chapters were launched for broadened engagement among graduates. He has also produced a surplus in capital and operational budgets each year as dean.

“We look forward to seeing what exciting developments lie ahead as President Pietruszkiewicz leads our University,” said Linda White, chairman of University of Evansville’s Board of Trustees.

Pietruszkiewicz began his academic career at George Mason University School of Law, where he was an adjunct professor of law. He joined the faculty of the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2001 and became vice chancellor for business and financial affairs in 2007.

Prior to entering academia, Pietruszkiewicz served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice from 1997 to 2001, receiving the Outstanding Attorney Award in 2000. He also served as an attorney/adviser in the United States Department of Education from 1992 to 1997, receiving the Assistant Secretary’s Award for Team Distinction and the Deputy Secretary’s Award for Service

Pietruszkiewicz was an NCAA and high school basketball official and worked with Special Olympics Virginia and Special Olympics Louisiana. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Scranton, a J.D. at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Pietruszkiewicz is married to Siobhan Pietruszkiewicz, a licensed clinical worker with over a decade of experience writing and implementing grants for state agencies and local nonprofits. She has taught social work courses at Louisiana State University for undergraduate and graduate students as well as law students. The Pietruszkiewiczs have two children: Ryan, age 12; and John, age 8. 

 

Upcoming Events

* Farmers' Market in Ridgway University Center

The second Farmers' Market will take place on July 11 (Wednesday - different from this week) from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in Ridgway University Center. Please come and sample produce from the UE Garden. Fresh eggs and honey should also be available for purchase. 

Submitted by William Hemminger bh35@evansville.edu 

 
* Photography Exhibition

The 2018 faculty and staff photography exhibition will be held September 4-October 20 in the UE Krannert Gallery. All active and retired UE faculty and staff are invited to present their work.

Items should be matted, framed and suitable to hanging in the Krannert Gallery. Pictures up to 16” x 20” in size may be submitted.

Check out your picture files or take some great photographs while you’re on vacation this summer.

More details will follow in August as we get closer to the exhibition date.

Please contact UE professor emeritus Hanns Piper (dp5@evansville.edu) if you have any questions.

Submitted by Carol McCraney cm177@evansville.edu

 
* Re-Thinking Diversity Summer Series: Dialogue on Race

The next session in the Re-Thinking Diversity Summer Series: Dialogue on Race is titled," Structural Racism and Privilege." The discussion will be facilitated by Valerie Stein, department chair in philosophy and religion. Stein will lead dialogue on unearned and unrecognized advantages, benefits, or rights conferred on people in a dominant group.

The Office of Diversity Initiatives is offering these one-hour sessions that provide an opportunity for interactive dialogue and allow campus participants to think and discuss opportunities to re-think everything you thought you ever knew about race related issues. The sessions will provide solution-oriented steps and strategies as well as resources for participants.

Participants must RSVP to lw161@evansville.edu by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of the week of the session.

Upcoming sessions are planned for July 18, August 1, and August 8 in Eykamp Hall, Room 253, Ridgway University Center.

Sessions are intended for any campus members and friends (i.e., faculty, staff, students, alumni or administrators). Anyone attending all of the sessions will be given a certificate of completion of diversity and inclusion at UE at the end of the summer sessions.

Submitted by LaNeeca Williams lw161@evansville.edu

 
* TIAA individual counseling sessions for July

The TIAA-CREF representative will be on the UE campus for individual counseling sessions on Tuesday, July 17.  To schedule an appointment, call TIAA-CREF at 1-800-732-8353.

Please note that the meeting location has been changed to Room 153 (Eades Music Room) in the Schroeder School of Business Building.

 
* UE Summer Yoga Series

FREE Summer Yoga will be offered this summer on Mondays from noon-1:00 p.m. in Carson Center

  • July 9: Yoga for Healthy Backs
  • July 23: How to do Yoga at Home
  • August 6: BIKYASA for Beginners (Bikram + Ashtanga Sequences)
  • August 13: Yoga for Stress Management

RSVP to Stacey Shanks, ss581@evansville.edu

 

Info You Should Know

* President Pietruszkiewicz interviewed by WEHT

President Pietruszkiewicz was interviewed yesterday afternoon by WEHT. He talked about plans for the future and the legacy left by Dr. Kazee. He also discussed the Ashoka Changemaker designation, the bond between UE and the community, the warm welcome he has received, and much more.  A video of the entire interview has been posted on WEHT's website.

 
* New UE Bookstore website

The UE Bookstore has a new website and web address (effective immediately.) The link to the new site is https://bookstore.evansville.edu. Please change any information you have to the new site. The old site will be gone and will be inactive. If you have any questions, please contact the UE Bookstore.

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu 

 
* Thursday afternoon golf outings

The employees at the University of Evansville are again invited to play golf on Thursday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. at Fendrich golf course. Please make a tee time by contacting Debbie Kassenbrock in the Center for Academic Advising by 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays at dk26@evansville.edu or 812-488-2605. 

Submitted by Debbie Kassenbrock dk26@evansville.edu 

 
* Summer Pcard Cardholder Training Schedule

The 2018 summer Pcard cardholder training session calendar is now available on the AceLink Pcard website under Training Materials/Dates to Remember. For questions or to reserve a training spot, contact the Office of Administrative Services at ext. 2941. 

Submitted by Kim Winsett kw83@evansville.edu 

 

Congratulations

* Azarian publishes research paper

Mohammad K. Azarian, professor of mathematics, published a paper entitled, Risala al-watar wa'l jaib ("The Treatise on the Chord and Sine")-Revisited, in Forum Geometricorum. The purpose of this paper was three-fold. First, Azarian used Jamshid al-Kashi's [Kashani's] famous cubic equation and a mathematica program to calculate sine of one degree to over 11,200,000 decimal digits of accuracy; an amazing improvement over the 17 digits of accuracy that Kashani found by pencil and paper in 1426. Then, Azarian conjectured that Kashani's cubic equation can be used to calculate sine of one degree to any desired accuracy. Second, Azarian set the record straight about the number of correct digits obtained by Kashani that were reported in many previous studies. Third, Azarian commented on some statements that he made in his previous paper on this topic.

 

Athletics

* Non-conference slate revealed for Aces Women's Basketball

Head coach Matt Ruffing and the University of Evansville women's basketball team have announced their 2018-19 non-conference schedule featuring 12 contests.

The Purple Aces bring in seven newcomers for the 2018-19 campaign to go along with a crop of six returners including Brooke Dossett, Kerri Gasper, Tattenai Hall, Marley Miller, Kaylan Coffman, and Kayla Casteel.

" I really like the balance of this schedule," said Ruffing. "We were successful in scheduling some very competitive home and home games for 2018. These opponents will prove to be excellent preparation for our MVC schedule."

The 2018-19 season begins much like last season did as Evansville opens the regular season on November 7 on the road against Ohio Valley Conference member Murray State. UE continues on the road on November 10 when it travels to Chicago State.

On November 14, the Aces open their home schedule against SIUE. Evansville follows the matchup with the Cougars with its second home contest on November 20 against Purdue Fort Wayne.

Its back on the road for a two-game road swing for UE on November 29 and December 2 when the Aces will face Marshall and Morehead State, respectively.

A pair of opponents from a season ago make the return trip to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Evansville welcomes in UIC on December 5 with SEMO coming to town just four days late on December 8.

UE travels to face the Dayton Flyers on December 15 as the Aces face a team that has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. For the final time before the holidays, Evansville returns to Meeks Family Fieldhouse on December 18 for a showdown with Austin Peay. To close out the pre-holiday slate, UE heads to Madison, Wis. to face Wisconsin on December 21.

"With the schedule set, our team goal is to be the best we can be starting at Murray St on Nov. 7th," said Ruffing. 

 
* Bailey George Memorial 5k Run/Walk set for July 7

University of Evansville head cross country coach Don Walters announced that the Bailey George Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, July 7 to honor the memory of former Purple Aces runner Bailey George, who passed away from cancer in 2016.

Registration for the event is just $20.00 with all proceeds going directly into the Bailey George Scholarship Fund at the University of Evansville.

For the first time, the event will take place on the campus of the University of Evansville with the start/finish line located at the old National Guard Armory. The course will showcase the university's scenic campus.

The race begins at 9 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. Medals will be given out for the 400-meter children's race.

"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," says Coach Don Walters.

Last year saw another successful turnout in the event's second running. In the inaugural year in 2016, 300 runners and walkers took part in the run and walk.

Pre-registration is encouraged at www.uealumnionline.com/BaileyGeorgeRun18. 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.uealumnionline.com/BaileyGeorgeFund.

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

 

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