The campus community is invited to join a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony at the site of the new Lincoln Commons student apartment complex on Wednesday, August 7 at 11 a.m. The four-story building located on campus at the corner of Weinbach Avenue and Lincoln Avenue will house approximately 123 upperclassman students beginning in the Fall 2024 semester.

President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz will be joined by Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry and other University and community leaders.

Tours of the new facility will be provided after the ceremony.

UE have released the Financial Authority and Approval policy that governs the authority to sign any contract or agreement that binds the University of Evansville to another entity. The policy is effective June 1, 2024. You can read the full policy by visiting policies.evansville.edu. You can also view the policy addendum for delegates.

Questions or Concerns Regarding this Work:

Bob Dale: Assistant Director Facilities Management and Planning, 812-488-2046, bd22@evansville.edu

Affected Dates:

May 20, 2024, through September 30, 2024

Description of Work:

The work includes demolition of five (5) existing houses, concrete walkways, and removal of some trees. The work will also include the installation of outdoor lights, outdoor patio, two sand volleyball court(s), and hammock village.

Impact for Occupants:

• East and west walkways on Frederick Street will be closed to pedestrian traffic and vehicle parking from Walnut Street north of the Jones Hall Sidewalk (see attached map, highlighted in red)
• There will be construction traffic and noise.

Action(s) Required:

• Please follow posted signage, caution tape and cones
• No parking allowed on Frederick Street from Walnut Street to north of the Jones Hall Sidewalk.
• Please use Lot H as an alternative parking area.
• Use caution near equipment and construction activity.

Thank you for your patience as we maintain our beautiful campus.

To report a facilities emergency, call (812) 488-2775.

Harlaxton College welcomes all to come and hear about all the exciting happenings at the British site of the University.  Holly Carter, Dean and Executive Director, will be at UE to present information on the academic, community, and growing opportunities at Harlaxton.   Please come to hear all about our good news and future plans.   This session is ideal for faculty, administrators and staff, as well as Harlaxton fans!   We will have some great giveaways and Harlaxton swag as well!

The session is on Tuesday, August 13, at 10:30 a.m. in the Schroeder Family School of Business, room 162.

The opening session of the University of Evansville Fall Conference is Tuesday, August 13, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Shanklin Theatre, Hyde Hall. A Dessert Reception at 12:30 p.m. in the Toyota Lounge will kick off the session. All faculty, staff and administrators are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Fall Conference will continue Wednesday, August 14, with a session “Overview of the University’s HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation Process.” This session will be held in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. The entire campus community is strongly encouraged to attend. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Concurrent sessions will then continue starting at 11:00 a.m. in the Schroeder School of Business Building. These informational sessions are open to the campus community.

View the schedule of Concurrent Sessions.

Please address questions to Paula Heldt at ext. 2479 or ph28@evansville.edu.

Cheryl Emmons, Administrative Associate for the Dean of the Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences, will be retiring on August 2, after 21 years of service at UE. Cheryl came to UE in 2003 as the administrative assistant for the Department of Mathematics and in 2007 moved to the Dean’s office. There will be a reception to honor Cheryl on Friday, July 26 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm in Hyde Hall 206 (the Dean’s Conference Room).  Please come and honor Cheryl for all her contributions to A&S and congratulate her on a terrific career at the University of Evansville.

As we prepare for the return of students to campus , we are excited to announce the arrival of new Speed Queen laundry washers, dryers and technology to campus residence housing.  The transition will begin Tuesday, July 23, 2024 and CSC ServiceWorks will be on campus removing existing laundry equipment from Jones, Schroeder, Powell, Hale, Moore, New Hall, Weinbach Apts, FIJI, Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Phi Epsilon.  The removal process may take up to three days to complete.

Following laundry room cleanups and minor repairs, the Caldwell & Gregory installation of new laundry equipment and technology will begin Monday, August 5, and may take up to four days.

Your patience is greatly appreciated during this transition.

The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Stacey Beard as the new Administrative Associate to the Dean's Office. Beard will assume her role on July 29, before the retirement of long-time Administrative Associate Cheryl Emmons.

Beard brings a wealth of experience and skills to this crucial position. In her new role, she will provide essential support to the Dean's Office, facilitating the smooth operation of the College's administrative functions and supporting students, faculty, staff.

"We are thrilled to welcome Stacey to the Dean's Office," said Dr. Amanda Krause, new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Her expertise and fresh perspective will be invaluable as we continue to advance our College's mission and support our academic community."

Beard's appointment comes as the College bids farewell to Cheryl Emmons, whose retirement was previously announced. The overlap in their tenures will ensure a smooth transition and continuity of operations within the Dean's Office, the Math Department, and the Academic Affairs Office.

"While we will miss Cheryl's dedicated service, we are excited about Stacey's contribution to establishing a new office dynamic and culture" Dean Krause added. "We look forward to the contributions she will make in supporting our faculty and staff in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Evansville."

About the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Evansville: The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse college at the University of Evansville. It provides a liberal arts foundation for all UE students and offers a wide range of majors, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a global perspective essential for success in today's world.

We are thrilled to unveil the exciting new menu items that will be featured on Catertrax. Please remember to RSVP to secure your spot at our showcase. The deadline to RSVP is August 2nd. If you have any questions, reach out to Kasia McMullen-Koontz at kasia.mcmullen-koontz@compass-usa.com.

Student Media at the University of Evansville (UE) is proud to announce the launch of Fireside Aces Radio, a new digital streaming radio station that brings innovative broadcasting and engaging storytelling to the forefront of the student experience.

Fireside Aces Radio was founded in February 2024 as a platform designed to provide experiential learning opportunities in broadcasting. The streaming platform will bring an exciting array of new content, including podcasts, music, and live broadcasts, tailored to meet the evolving interests of the University community. Fireside Aces Radio is licensed through the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP.)

Listeners can easily tune in to Fireside Aces Radio by visiting fireside.evansville.edu or by activating the Fireside Aces Radio skill on Alexa.

The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CDEI) is transitioning to the Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE). This change reflects an evolution in our mission, emphasizing our commitment to enhancing the sense of belonging and ensuring access for all students and employees, regardless of background or demographic.

There are also some personnel changes you will notice going into the Fall semester. We are pleased to share that Alexa Ferguson, formerly the Executive Assistant to the VP for Talent and Community and the Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer, has been promoted to Director of the CIE. Alexa has demonstrated keen interpersonal skills and intercultural competency while leading and collaborating with various teams since she started at UE earlier this year. The duties and responsibilities of the Director of the CDEI are now in the purview of the new Director of the CIE. The Director of the CIE reports to the VP for Talent and Community and the Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer.

Additionally, Melissa Moore will assume the new Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator title. As the former Diversity Programming Coordinator, Melissa was responsible for developing and implementing diversity-related programming for students and employees. The new title allows the CIE to continue its programming efforts and focus on relationship development and mentorship. As the name change indicates, each initiative will ensure inclusive excellence is at the core of everything we do so that everyone knows they belong here. The Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator reports to the Director of the CIE.

The Office of Religious Life (ORL) and the Office of Spiritual Formation and Development (OSFD) will be combined to further express the core values of inclusive community and education for the whole person. The ORL will become the OSFD to streamline operations that better serve students and all employees. The newly imagined office will foster integrated spirituality, nurturing communities, vocational perspective, and open dialogue in service to the campus community. Rev. Andy Payton will maintain his role as the University Chaplain, while Bre Bondurant will continue as the Spiritual Life Coordinator.

A parking lot located near Locust Street at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences will no longer be able to be utilized starting Monday, August 19. Access to this lot will be lost to make room for future development.

According to the property owner, most of the Stone Center’s spaces in this lot will be replaced with an additional allotment in the Doubletree Garage as well as additional parking in the lot across 5th Street. Please reference the attached map.

Attention all departments!

The Marketing department has a surplus of supplies we are eager to part with.

Anyone is welcome to come by our office outside of Room 269 in SOBA and browse through binders, bulletin board paper, document holders, monitor stands, and more.

Questions? Contact Abigail Perry at ap445@evansville.edu or 5608.

The Center for Student Engagement is excited to announce Rachel Roscoe as the newest team member! Rachel began her work as the Assistant Director for Student Engagement on Monday, July 8th. In this new role, Rachel will advise Greek Life and support on campus programs and traditions such as Purple Palooza and Winter on Walnut.

Join us in welcoming Rachel to Student Engagement, we know she is going to do great things for our students!

Rachel Roscoe

My name is Rachel Roscoe, and I have worked at UE for the past two years as the Youth Programs and Special Events Coordinator. In this role, I handled all external events held on campus, including but not limited to weddings, summer camps, summer intern housing, Fehn House rentals, and more. I also assisted with all UE summer camps and our after-school youth program, UE Explorers. Before working at UE, I attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. I was a part of the Honor Scholar Program and majored in English Literature, and I am a member of Alpha Phi (Gamma Chapter).

I am excited to begin this new position as the Assistant Director for Student Engagement. With my previous role being predominately external facing, I look forward to working with UE students, assisting with events and activities, and helping to shape the student culture and experience on UE’s campus. I hope to maintain the traditions that are already established on UE’s campus, while also working to cultivate and grow new ones. I believe that my experience with Greek Life will assist with this transition, although I am aware that there is a lot that I need to learn in order to help each of you in the best way possible!

The Accounting and Audit Office is responsible for administering payroll for all UE employees. Payroll is processed on a bi-weekly basis and pay periods run from Sunday to Saturday. All hourly employees must have their hours entered into their timecard by midnight on Saturday. All supervisors must approve timecards by noon on the following Monday.

Effective immediately, the Accounting and Audit Office will adhere to and enforce policies and procedures currently in place without exception.  Please note that this will include the following:

• If an employee does not enter their time by the cutoff date, as noted above, the late timesheet form will be accepted until 4:00 pm on Monday. If no time is entered and a late time sheet is not received, the employee will not be paid until a time sheet is submitted prior to the cutoff date of a future pay period. The Payroll Specialist will not be reaching out to individuals or supervisors to ask for hours.
• If a supervisor fails to approve time by the cutoff date, as noted above, payroll will be processed as the time was entered.  Repeated failure of a supervisor to approve time will result in notification to the appropriate Vice President.
• As of 4:00 pm on the Monday immediately following the end of the pay period, the Accounting and Audit Office will accept no alterations or additions to the payroll calculations.

If you have questions or submissions for payroll, please email our office at payroll@evansville.edu

University of Evansville President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz has been named to the IBJ Media Indiana 250 list for the second year in a row. The list includes 250 of the most influential executives across the state in an array of economic sectors.

During the nomination process, IBJ Media, which includes Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ), Inside INdiana Business, and Indiana Lawyer, sought out individuals from across the state who have the most significant impact on Indiana's economy and its people. Through an extensive assessment, the organizations determined the distinguished group known as the "Indiana 250 class" for this year.

Congratulations Prez P!

Congratulations to UE Chief Communications Officer Noah Alatza on recently being honored and selected as a winner of Evansville Rotary's 20 Under 40. The entire UE family is sending our congratulations to Noah!

The University is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Rita Behnke.

Dr. Behnke’s career began with her graduation from the UE in 1960, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Nursing. She went on to complete her Master's and PhD in Nursing. For over four decades, Dr. Behnke was a pillar of the University of Evansville community, serving as an educator and eventually as the Dean of Nursing. Her legacy includes the establishment of the UE’s school of nursing in England in 1973, making her the first woman nurse in the United States to hold a nursing license in the UK.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. from 7 p.m. on Friday, July 26. Service will be on Saturday, July 27, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home with a burial to directly follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Read the full obituary here.

Entering his third year at the University of Evansville, Sammy Dowd has assumed the role of Director of Basketball Operations for both the Purple Aces men’s and women’s basketball teams.

“Sammy is as resilient a person as you will find while also being one of the most grateful people you have ever come across.  He is consistently positive and energetic which makes people gravitate towards his energy,” UE head men’s basketball coach David Ragland stated.  “In our profession, there are often times when we have "other tasks assigned".  These tasks are not always glamorous, but they are critical to the success of any program.  Winning programs set themselves apart from mediocre programs because there are individuals that take pride in completing these tasks.”

“He fully embodies this characteristic as these is no task beneath him.  He has a problem-solving mentality and takes pride in assisting in any way that he can,” Ragland added.

“Sammy exceeded expectations while serving in the role as a graduate assistant.  We are very much looking forward to keeping Sammy around in the role of our Director of Basketball Operations.”

After being on the men’s staff for his first two seasons at UE, Dowd will also work with the women’s squad moving forward.  Aces head women’s basketball coach Robyn Scherr-Wells is excited for the opportunity to have Down work with her program.

“Sammy is a rising star in college basketball and I look forward to a unique partnership with Men’s Basketball with Sammy assisting both programs,” Scherr-Wells exclaimed.  “It’s a testament not only to Sammy and the trust both Coach Ragland and I have in him, but also a testament to how men’s and women’s basketball work together towards a common goal of making UE a top basketball destination in the MVC.”

Since arriving at UE in 2022, Dowd has been performed a multitude of duties.  He has overseen team logistics while managing practice schedules and facilitating communications between coaches and student-athletes.  Along with many administrative tasks, Dowd played a pivotal role in creating a seamless operational environment to allow the coaching staff to focus on player development and game strategy.  His work helped to ensure compliance with NCAA regulations.

"I am delighted to be returning to the University of Evansville Men's Basketball team as they enter their third season under the excellent leadership of David Ragland and his staff,” Dowd said.  “This opportunity is a dream come true, allowing me to continue with a program that is firmly rooted in culture and family, and it's a special place to be right now. I'm excited to help our exceptional athletes improve and achieve success."

"I'd also like to thank Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells for providing me the opportunity to aid her program. Looking forward to reducing her staff's workload and promoting efficiency,” Dowd added.  “I'm incredibly excited to work and learn from both programs. Evansville is beginning to feel like home, and I'm glad to be back."

Gage Bobe’s journey with the University of Evansville men’s basketball program began as a walk-on in 2019.  After earning a scholarship, Bobe worked his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis.  With his playing career complete, Bobe will remain with the program as a graduate assistant.

“Gage has been a part of the Aces program since he entered college 6 years ago and that will continue.  He embodies all that we look for in our program when my staff and I are recruiting,” Purple Aces head coach David Ragland said.  “We want self-starters, everyday guys, hard workers, consistent workers, vocal leaders, individuals willing to sacrifice for the greater good, and individuals focused on leaving a situation better than they found it.”

“Those that know his story know that he came to UE as a walk on then earned a scholarship.  Gage didn't stop there, he then earned playing time and eventually a starting role on our team. He was not given anything along the way, he worked his tail off to create opportunities for himself,” Ragland continued.  “As my staff and I learned Gage more, we admired not only his work ethic but also his knowledge of the game of basketball. As time went on and Sammy was towards the completion of his graduate assistantship, it became clear to my staff and I that Gage was the perfect replacement. We are very much excited to have Gage remain here at the University of Evansville in the role as our Graduate Assistant.”

Bobe improved in each season with the UE program.  The 2022-23 campaign may have been his best as he completed the conference portion of the season converting 44.0% of his attempts, tops in the Missouri Valley Conference.  Starting 31 games, Bobe averaged 5.6 points and set his career scoring mark with 22 points at Valparaiso.

"Accepting the position of GA at UE was a no brainer when Coach Ragland offered me this opportunity. I am going on year 6 now in the city of Evansville and this place feels like home. All I have ever wanted since I have been here was to see this program succeed,” Bobe exclaimed. “When I had the opportunity to continue to accomplish that goal, saying yes was easy. I believe Coach Ragland and the rest of the staff are the perfect people to get this program on track and I am thrilled to be part of it. This new chapter of my life is not just a professional milestone but a personal mission to give back to a program that gave me so much."

His sharpshooting continued in 2023-24 as he connected on a 3-pointer in 15 of the final 16 games while chipping in an average of 4.1 PPG.  Over the final 11 games of the season, he drained 22 of his 48 outside attempts.

Set to begin his second season with the University of Evansville men’s basketball program, Peter Funk has been elevated to Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for the Purple Aces.

“Peter has done a phenomenal job in the duties assigned to him in his first year here at UE. A person's greatest ability is availability and Peter is second to known in that area,” UE head coach David Ragland said.  “Peter is always well prepared and organized with a problem-solving mindset.  We feel honored to elevate Peter as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.  He has worked extremely hard and earned an opportunity to continue to grow in this profession.”

“He is very professional and committed to making sure our student athletes have a first-class experience at the University of Evansville. I'm elated to continue to work alongside Peter as we strive to revive a storied program.”

Funk joined the UE staff in 2023 as an Assistant Coach/Chief of Staff.  His first season at UE saw the program more than triple its win total from the previous season while advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2015.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to on take this new role.  I want to thank Coach Ragland for his belief in me and his encouragement to develop as a coach,” Funk exclaimed.  “I’d also like to thank President (Christopher M.) Pietruszkiewicz and Dr. Ziggy Siegfried for their continued support.   I am excited to continue to work hard with our players and staff to revive a storied program.  Go Aces!”

Prior to joining the UE staff, Funk was the Director of Basketball Operations at Valparaiso.  He worked with the Beacons as a student manager and graduate assistant before being promoted to the operations position.  Peter and his fiancé Ingrid will be married in August.

Following his first season on the University of Evansville men’s basketball coaching staff, D.J. Balentine has been promoted to Assistant Coach for the Purple Aces.

“Anyone who has spent time around DJ, the person, quickly learns how positively contagious his energy is.  Anyone who has spent time with DJ, the basketball coach, quickly learns how great of a basketball mind DJ has,” Aces head coach David Ragland exclaimed.  “DJ did a wonderful job in year one of preparing and presenting our player personnel portion of each scout. He does a really good job helping our student athletes display confidence in their game by clearly communicating directions so that they can effectively execute what is being asked of them.”

“We were excited to bring DJ back home last season and now ecstatic to elevate him as an assistant coach as he has earned this opportunity through his hard work and commitment to our program.”

Balentine joined Coach Ragland’s staff in 2023 as the Director of Player Development.  His work helped UE advance to the postseason for the first time since 2015 when the Aces won the CIT Championship.  Balentine was a junior on that squad.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to continue to build success at a place that means so much to me. This University is special, and with that being said, I want to thank everyone in athletics and administration for this opportunity to elevate my position,” Balentine said.  “I am extremely grateful for Coach Rags and the rest of the staff; he has given me much responsibility and instilled confidence in me to further my coaching and to better this program. With Coach Ragland and the entire staffs’ ability, even greater things are on the horizon. GO ACES!”

University of Evansville Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried has announced the hiring of Joel Zimba as the Executive Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations.  Zimba joins the Purple Aces following a 5-year stint as the District Director of Athletics & Activities at Verona (Wisc.) Area School District.

"We are excited to welcome Joel Zimba and his family to Evansville. Joel is a leader with infectious energy, values teamwork and relationships, and understands the big picture,” Siegfried exclaimed.  “His experience as a District Athletics Director for the last five years will serve him well in this important role for UE Athletics."

In his time at Verona, Zimba spearheaded all facets of developing, implementing, and improving school athletics programs and events.  One of the main highlights of his tenure was his work in orchestrating a large-scale capital project that included the building of a new high school.  The project, which included a voter approval of $183M referenda, saw him monitor the construction of a competition pool, cross country course, field house, all exterior fields (baseball, soccer, football, and lacrosse) along with facilities for wrestling, gymnastics, weight, and cardio.

"I humbly thank Dr. Ziggy Siegfried and President (Christopher M.) Pietruszkiewicz for the opportunity to become the Executive Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations at the University of Evansville,” Zimba said.  “Ziggy has transformed UE into one of the premier athletic departments in the country and, more importantly, has created a culture built on enthusiasm, hard work, and integrity."

"I am truly blessed to be joining UE at a time of such positive momentum. I am eagerly looking forward to serving our outstanding student-athletes alongside our incredible coaches and staff and contributing to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience,” Zimba added.  “My family is excited to embrace the UE spirit and become part of this vibrant community. Go Purple Aces!"

Along with the new facilities, Zimba had a hands-on approach in multiple facets within the district.  He encouraged all students to participate in athletics by executing programming for over 25 sports and more than 50 club teams.  He directly supervised, evaluated, and professionally developed more than 120 employees district-wide including coaches, administrators, and support staff.

His work resulted in the creation of four part-time District administrative athletic positions, which enhanced the vision, mission, and initiatives.  Zimba negotiated a district-wide co-curricular compensation increase of 12% to recruit, retain, and develop talented coaches and staff.

Prior to assuming his role at Verona Area School District, Zimba held three positions at Valparaiso University between 2015 and 2019.  While working towards his Master’s, Zimba served as a Men’s Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2015-16 where he completed planning, managerial, and administrative duties for the men’s basketball program.

He was elevated to the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at Valpo in 2016 and held that position until 2018.  Zimba’s responsibilities in that position included budget administration, facility supervision, equipment inventory control, team travel coordination, development of the practice schedule, and summer camp management.

Zimba’s final year at Valparaiso saw him serve as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving where he played a pivotal role in sourcing and soliciting annual gift commitments up to $10K.  He supported the President Circle and accomplished a goal of 125 new donors while helping senior executives raise over $700K from over 2,000 donors.

In 2016, he earned his Master’s of Science in Sports Administration from Valparaiso while earning a Bachelor of Letters & Science in Afro-American Studies Intergroup Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011.  Joel and wife Krystin have a four-year-old son – Tayden.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…

Dr. Treymane Clardy, Verona Area School District - Superintendent

"Joel Zimba has been a cornerstone of our community, exemplifying academic and athletic excellence throughout his tenure as our Athletic Director in the Verona Area School District. His unwavering commitment to sportsmanship, ethics, and service to others has profoundly influenced our student-athletes and the broader community. We are immensely proud of his achievements and wish him continued success in his new role as Executive Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations at the University of Evansville."

Chad Wiese, Verona Area School District - Deputy Superintendent

"Joel Zimba is a huge loss for our school district. His work ethic, technical abilities, and, most of all, his interpersonal skills will be greatly missed. Joel's time in the Verona Area School District resulted in historic achievements and participation rates in our athletic programs. I wish him the best as the Executive Deputy Director for External Relations. Joel's hire at the University of Evansville will make an immediate impact. I'm confident great things lie ahead."

David Ragland, University of Evansville - Head Men's Basketball Coach

"I met Joel 8 years ago and had the honor of working with him for two years at Valparaiso University. I had the opportunity to watch how passionate he is about the student-athlete experience. Joel is selfless and a tireless worker. He is honest and will do what is right no matter the situation. Joel embodies all the qualities of the culture Dr Ziggy Siegfried has worked so hard to create for our athletic department here at UE. Dr Ziggy Siegfried has created great momentum within our athletic department, built on positivity, problem-solving, and connectivity through effective communication. I'm excited to watch our athletics department improve with Joel Zimba's addition and look forward to working alongside him."

Steve Watson, Loyola Chicago - Director of Athletics

"Evansville is getting one of the best in Joel Zimba. With his background and experience in athletics administration, there's no doubt he'll do great things for the Purple Aces. Congratulations to Ziggy and his staff for landing a good one!"

Jackie Manuel, American University - Assistant Men's Basketball Coach

"Joel Zimba is a great friend and person. Joel is a hard worker and consummate professional who strives to serve others every day. EU is getting a high-character person that is committed to excellence."

Jamie Sims, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District - District Director of Athletics and Activities

"I had the great pleasure to meet and begin working with Joel Zimba in 2020 as an athletic director, and since then, I have had the opportunity to partner with and create a meaningful relationship that surpasses the world of education-based athletics. Mr. Zimba's leadership skills and ability to get the best out of the most as a part of his character, leadership, and overall care and concern for others continue to inspire and motivate me to do precisely that in my current capacity. Joel's passion for leading others and ensuring equitable outcomes for all has resonated with me and overflowed into the Big 8 conference here in Wisconsin. Today, I am a better leader because I have met and worked alongside Joel Zimba. He has definitely left his life, print, and legacy in Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics.