During the period of March 31 through April 11, benefit-eligible employees may enroll or make changes in the University’s health, life, long term disability, and dental insurance, supplemental health and flexible spending account benefit plans. It is the only chance for benefit-eligible employees to enroll or make changes until the next open enrollment period unless you have a qualifying change in status.   Please review benefits information and make your enrollment elections at: https://selfservice.evansville.edu/Student/HumanResources/Benefits, as well as details about benefits changes in the attached memo, for important announcements and reminders, which will occur June 1 to the University’s benefits.    Among the open enrollment highlights:

• No change to any insurance premiums, including health insurance.
• We are partnering with HealthJoy and Teladoc to offer a Mental Health Program to supplement UE’s already robust mental healthcare benefits to remove barriers and improve access to mental health providers.
• We will implement the CancerCARE Program, which is a unique benefit designed to provide support to employees and dependent family members in the event of a cancer diagnosis.
• Enrollment/changes to your TIAA retirement plan salary deferrals will continue to be managed on the TIAA website.  Therefore, you do not need to re-enroll in the retirement plan. 

Date Time  Location

Tuesday, April 1 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Eykamp Hall Room 251

Tuesday, April 1 10:30 am to 11:30 am, Eykamp Hall Room 251

Tuesday, April 1 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Eykamp Hall Room 251

Wednesday, April 2 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Eykamp Hall Room 251

Wednesday, April 2 10:30 am to 11:30 am, Eykamp Hall Room 251

Wednesday, April 2 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Eykamp Hall Room 251

One of the meetings will be recorded so that employees may watch the presentation at their convenience. We will share a link to the recording in PurplePulse on April 3. However, in-person attendance is strongly encouraged.   Again, please note that all benefit eligible employees (including those who do not want to make any changes to their current coverage) must enter their elections between March 31 and April 11 via On-Line Benefit Enrollment.  Insurance deductions will be made during May for coverage effective June 1.   Please contact the Office of Human Resources at ext. 5045 with any questions. 

We Grow Aces! is a vital initiative dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging and support at the University of Evansville. In June, a Pure Produce Container from Evansville-based Anu and Ekō Solutions in Fishers will include a vertical garden system housed in an up-cycled, climate-controlled shipping container. The container farm can grow produce year-round. In addition to the food supply, we also aim to create meaningful connections and provide mentorship opportunities.

We Grow Aces! was recently featured in this article from Inside Indiana Business.

If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about how you can contribute, we encourage you to reach out to Rob Shelby, Vice President for Talent & Community, at rs262@evansville.edu. Your engagement can make a lasting impact on our university community.

Thank you for your support in growing Aces together!

April 1, 2025

Wheeler Concert Hall

7:30 p.m.

Please join the UE Jazz Ensemble for their performance featuring selections by Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen and Chris Cornell from Soundgarden.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Join us on Tuesday, April 1st at 7:30 PM in Wheeler Concert Hall for an unforgettable night music! Experience the dynamic sounds of singers Andrew Meyer and Trinity Martinez as they bring their incredible vocal talents to the stage, featuring charts sang by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

Also featured is senior David Schultz on flugelhorn, performing Chuck Mangione’s "Feels So Good" — a true classic that ushered in the smooth jazz era.

The concert will also highlight a diverse range of arrangements, including:

• The lively song “Riverdance,” scored for "Irish Big Band"

• A captivating Native American-inspired song inspired by the Taos Pueblo

• The iconic 90s grunge anthem "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden

Hope to see you there for an exciting night of music!

DIY Shaker Salad 🥗 – Hosted by Colorful

Join us for a fun and interactive DIY Shaker Salad event at The Eatery! Customize your own fresh and flavorful salad while learning from dietitians through engaging videos on how different food colors fuel your body and mind.

📍 Location: The Eatery
⏰ Time: During Lunch

Come mix, shake, and nourish with us! 🥗✨

Sip n Paint 🎨 – Hosted by Colorful

Unleash your creativity at our Sip n Paint event with Colorful! Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of painting while sipping on refreshing non-alcoholic beverages. No experience needed—just bring your imagination!

📍 Location: Class of 1959 Gallery (Upstairs by the piano)
⏰ Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
🎟 Limited seats available! Reserve your spot here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDHFLYL

Join the Pep and Vim Virtual 5K!
Celebrate in a healthy way and receive an exclusive T-shirt!*

www.uealumnionline.com/2025PV5K

Event Details:

•          Complete your 5K anytime between April 21 – April 25.
•          Submit your time online (a link will be emailed).
•          Prizes will be awarded based on various criteria.

Registration & Fees:

•          General registration: $25
•          Current UE students: $15 

Important Dates:

•          Register by Friday, April 11 to guarantee you receive your T-shirt by Pep and Vim (Friday, April 25).

Questions?

•          Contact the Office of Alumni and Engagement at alumni@evansville.edu.

Get ready for a treat! We're rolling out the red carpet (or should we say, the dessert table?) to welcome you with open arms and a spread that's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

This is your chance to:

• Meet and mingle with fellow new hires and some friendly faces from across the organization.
• Enjoy a variety of scrumptious treats that will make your afternoon extra special.
• Learn more about the SAA community and feel right at home.

Keep an eye on your calendars! You'll be receiving an official invitation with all the details in the coming days.

Join us for Eid al-Fitr on Monday the 31st at 6:15 in Gallery 59. Enjoy delicious food as we mark the end of Ramadan. All are welcome!

The University of Evansville (UE) Department of Theatre is proud to announce alumnus Dylan Frederick ’14 will be returning to campus to screen AMERICAN THEATER which recently won the Feature Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival. The event will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in the John David Lutz Theatre Lab. The 90-minute film will be followed by a Q&A with Frederick.

“AMERICAN THEATER follows artists who are on the conservative right, but our ambition is that the film can reach audiences across lines of difference,” says co-director Dylan Frederick. “In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to cast half of the country as fundamentally evil in the eyes of the other. AMERICAN THEATER aims to briefly interrupt that cynical strategy and offer audiences a new way to see ourselves in this current political moment—as an entire nation of actors desperate for direction.”

Once nationally celebrated for his large-scale outdoor musical productions at Serenbe Playhouse (TITANIC performed on an actual sinking ship or MISS SAIGON with a real helicopter landing) Brian Clowdus’s theater career came to a halt in 2020 amid extensive public allegations of unsafe working conditions, racism, and harassment. In the wake of these allegations, Clowdus reinvented himself as a MAGA Republican. AMERICAN THEATER follows Clowdus and his newly assembled troupe of actors as they rehearse their allegorical cancel culture musical–THE SALEM EXPERIENCE.

“The movie is a salute to the hardworking cast of THE SALEM EXPERIENCE,” says codirector Nicholas Clark. “They tried their very best to put on a new musical in the middle of the woods and under challenging circumstances. Musicals are unbelievably hard to make, and this one was particularly chaotic. Our idea for the project was to bring an entirely observational approach to documenting their artistic process without interruption. In this way, we were able to authentically capture a rehearsal room immersed in work.”

“At the center of this project is a complex relationship between a director and his cast which we feel reflects aspects of the dynamic between Trump and his supporters. That rehearsal dynamic has helped us understand the current national trend toward rightwing authoritarian leaders and those who follow them,” says producer Laura Hilliard.

Seating is limited and tickets are free to the public. Reserve your seat by calling the UE Theatre ticket office at 812.488.2031, Monday through Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn about resources available to current and future business owners from the Small Business Administration, Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center and SCORE Evansville. Representatives will be on campus for an info session on Tuesday, April 8, 12:25-1:05 in SB172. This event is open to the campus community, but seating is limited and lunch will be provided, so be sure to reserve your seat by registering here. Contact Megan Conapinski at mt263@evansville.edu with questions.

Please join the Division of Student Affairs as we host a celebration in honor of Mike Tessier's retirement on April 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Class of 1959 Gallery at Ridgway University Center. If you have questions, please contact Shelby Gardner (sg293@evansville.edu). We hope to see you there!

All UE active and retired employees (staff, administrators, and faculty) as well as trustees are invited to participate in the 2025 Hanns Pieper UE Photography Exhibition.  Items will be accepted from Tuesday, March 18 through Friday, April 4 in the Department of Art office (Krannert 212).

Requirements for submission are:

• Photos should be matted, framed, and suitable for hanging in the Krannert Gallery.
• Photos may be no larger than 16" x 20".
• Provide your name, current/former department, email address/telephone, and a title for your image (date and location) on the back of each submission.
• Work should not have been previously submitted.

Please share your talents and hobbies with the UE community!

The campus and local community are invited to join us at a reception on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. in the Krannert Gallery.

Please contact Carol McCraney at 812-499-2043 or cm177@evansville.edu if you have questions.

The Department of Art is pleased to announce the 63rd Annual Undergraduate Student Art Exhibition in the Melvin Peterson Gallery from March 24 - April 12, 2025.  Many of these original pieces of art are for sale.

Please join us at the public reception honoring these UE students on Thursday, March 27 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.

Gallery hours are Monday, Friday & Saturday 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Matthew 25 will be at the health center the first Wednesday of every month from 9-11am for free, confidential HIV and Hepatitis C testing.  No appointment necessary. $15 Walmart giftcards available while supplies last.  Testing available to all faculity and students.

SPAN 211 and SPAN 212 will be offered during Summer Session 1 and Summer Session 2, respectively. Foreign language courses through the 212 level are required for those seeking BA degrees. Both courses are online and asynchronous to accommodate busy schedules and diverse locations.

Questions?  Contact Dr. Cindy Crowe: cc109@evansville.edu

If you are interested in building bridges instead of walls, register for CHNG-310-S02: Latino Community Outreach for the fall semester. In this ChangeLab, students will explore ideas and work collaboratively with businesses and nonprofits to promote diversity and multicultural  harmony and to meet the needs of the local Latino community. Examples of outreach include working with healthcare providers; presenting research; translating documents; teaching basic Spanish and promoting Latino culture in after-school programs; tutoring English language learners in local schools; and offering English classes for adults. Students choose the project or projects that interest them.  Heritage speakers are encouraged to join!

If you want to learn more about our award-winning ChangeLab, contact Profe Cindy Crowe: cc109@evansville.edu

Would you like to help the tri-state’s growing Haitian population overcome challenges and successfully integrate into our community while maintaining their cultural identity? Then register for CHNG-310-S02: Haitian Community Outreach for the fall semester.  Students can earn up to 4 credit hours while supporting our Haitian community and developing projects to meet their needs. If you speak Haitian Creole, you are especially needed! However, speaking the language is not a requirement.

If you want to learn more about this ChangeLab, email Dr. Cindy Crowe: cc109@evansville.edu

Economics 101 (Principles of Macroeconomics) and Economics 102 (Principles of Microeconomics), which fulfill general education requirements for Outcome 9, are offered in Summer 2025. Both courses are online and asynchronous, which provides flexibility in terms of timing and location.

Register for CHNG-310-02: Celebrating Hispanic Voices for the Fall 2025 semester! In this ChangeLab students explore Hispanic student identities, experiences, and perspectives by researching and recording podcast episodes in Spanish, English, and Spanglish. Hispanic students share their stories, discuss relevant issues, and celebrate their cultural heritage. Through this podcast, students develop a variety of skills to interview Hispanic students and community members who work to foster a sense of community, empowerment, and inclusivity at UE and beyond. Students are not required to speak Spanish to participate in this ChangeLab.

“Celebrating Hispanic Voices” Podcast trailer link:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1u4aRzFwFJ51rhHroAi8Gd?si=4e98316f31724c10

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trailer/id1772118609?i=1000671694058

If you want to learn more about this ChangeLab course, contact Dr. Diana Rodríguez Quevedo (Profe) via email at: dr130@evansville.edu

"Celebrating Hispanic Voices" Podcast: A podcast by Hispanic Students for Hispanic Students

Episode 2 – Season 2  is out!

In Episode 2, Ashly Chalico, a performance theatre major, talks about her experiences as a Latina woman at UE. She shares moments like auditioning for graduate theater programs, staying in touch with her family, and immersing herself in her favorite artists. Enjoy this inside look into Ashly's UExperience!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aQvk5y6ISGkXt3qLJ4KIl?si=Ps1sqcevQzC2Ez2YoMZ37g

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2nd-ep-ashlys-experience/id1772118609?i=1000699573950

Huge THANKS to our production team, Sophia Reyes, Jocelyn Solano Sánchez, and Tommy Housman!

As the weather gets warmer and the students get more restless for summer, it's that time of year again: Bike Race!    On April 26th, Intramurals and Greek Life will be hosting Bike Race: an event so seeped in tradition it's one of the first events booked each year. This morning-mid afternoon event will take place in Lot H by the soccer stadium and will include different Greek chapters and organizations competing for a trophy and bragging rights. This day features plenty of school spirit, free food and soda, plenty of water, and great weather.    I reach out today to ask for volunteers! To run such a great event, we need some extra support to get things going. Please review our sign up genius for time slots and job responsibilities here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AA8AD23A5FEC34-55938563-bike   If you have any questions, please let me know!    Thanks,    Will McDonner 

I am pleased to announce open enrollment dates for the University’s benefit plans. During the period of March 31 through April 11, benefit-eligible employees may enroll or make changes in the University’s health, life, long term disability, and dental insurance, supplemental health and flexible spending account benefit plans. It is the only chance for benefit-eligible employees to enroll or make changes until the next open enrollment period unless you have a qualifying change in status.

 Please review benefits information and make your enrollment elections at: https://selfservice.evansville.edu/Student/HumanResources/Benefits, as well as details about benefits changes in the attached memo, for important announcements and reminders, which will occur June 1 to the University’s benefits.

Among the open enrollment highlights:

·         No change to any insurance premiums, including health insurance.

·         We are partnering with HealthJoy and Teladoc to offer a Mental Health Program to supplement UE’s already robust mental healthcare benefits to remove barriers and improve access to mental health providers.

·         We will implement the CancerCARE Program, which is a unique benefit designed to provide support to employees and dependent family members in the event of a cancer diagnosis.

·         Enrollment/changes to your TIAA retirement plan salary deferrals will continue to be managed on the TIAA website.  Therefore, you do not need to re-enroll in the retirement plan.

Date

Time 

Location

Tuesday, April 1

9:00 am to 10:00 am                     

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Tuesday, April 1

10:30 am to 11:30 am                  

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Tuesday, April 1

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm                       

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Wednesday, April 2

9:00 am to 10:00 am                     

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Wednesday, April 2

10:30 am to 11:30 am                  

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Wednesday, April 2

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm                       

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

One of the meetings will be recorded so that employees may watch the presentation at their convenience. We will share a link to the recording in PurplePulse on April 3. However, in-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

 Again, please note that all benefit eligible employees (including those who do not want to make any changes to their current coverage) must enter their elections between March 31 and April 11 via On-Line Benefit Enrollment.  Insurance deductions will be made during May for coverage effective June 1.

 Please contact the Office of Human Resources at ext. 5045 with any questions.

 Lori LeDuc

Associate Director of Human Resources

University of Evansville

ll138@evansville.edu

812-488-5045

Tuesday, April 1

6pm-8:30pm

Eykamp Hall, RUC

Don't miss this opportunity to network with panelists from AT, EXSS, PA and PT fields working at these employers:

Athlete's True Performance

Deaconess gastroenterology

Easterseals

Ervin Therapy

Forefront Therapy

Rehabilitation & Performance Institute

University of Evansville

Warrick County School Corporation

Join Center for Inclusive Excellence intern and USI BSW student Shelby Gardner from 11:30 am-12:30 pm on Wednesday, April 16th, in the Multi-Cultural Student Commons, for a Service Dog Etiquette Lunch and Learn Program. Shelby will share information about service animal dog laws and rights, how to interact with service animals in public, and how to assist individuals in the disabled community with service animals.  Feel free to bring your lunch!

The University of Evansville has recently established an AI Task Force to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by the administrators, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Evansville (UE). It will use its discoveries to develop and implement strategies for enabling UE’s campuses and communities to use AI in a way that is productive, safe, and responsible. 

Your input is critical to our initial efforts. By completing this brief survey, which takes approximately 5-7 minutes, you will directly influence the development of training programs, policies, and strategies tailored to meet your needs. Please complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/eeZHqUcRAK   Thank you for contributing to this important initiative!

H Lot will be partially closed (side closest to Carson Lawn) from 5:10 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 for Greek Week Field Day. This event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is open to everyone. There will be inflatables, food, and yard games!

COMM 130 Intro to Communication & COMM 380 Intercultural Communication, which fulfill the  General Education credit (Outcome 9), will be offered during Summer Session 2 as online, asynchronous classes. If you have questions about these 3 credit hour courses, which will run from May 19 to June 23, please contact Dr. Fahad Humayun via email - mh668@evansville.edu

UE students seeking financial aid or intending to use loan funds for summer courses at UE should complete a Summer Financial Aid Application and return it to the Office of Student Financial Services (Olmsted 105) however is most convenient by May 1, 2025. The application will allow our office to assess your financial aid and loan eligibility.

Work-Study:

On-campus jobs are available for continuing UE students during the summer. You do not need to be eligible for need-based Federal Work-Study during the academic year in order to apply. You may also apply regardless of your enrollment in summer courses. Applications will be available within the Student Employment area of Self-Service.

Nutrition 304 will be taught online and asynchronously in the summer II session.

The Center for Inclusive Excellence is hosting monthly challenge cards for care baskets through the end of the semester. To participate, complete taks on the card and claim your prize at the CIE office (upstairs Ridge). For more details, follow us on instagram @ue_cie and review the guidelines before claiming your prize!

Discover the mouthwatering flavors of our new Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich at Chick-Fil-A! Don't miss the chance to elevate your meal by pairing it with our refreshing Pineapple Dragonfruit drink. Come treat yourself today!

We are excited to announce the new UE Purple Person Program!

Being a Purple Person isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being a friendly face, a helpful guide, and a connection to the UE community. Our goal is simple: to help new employees feel welcome, valued, and part of something great.

What is a Purple Person?

A Purple Person is someone who:

✔ Enjoys connecting with people in a natural and welcoming way
✔ Knows their way around UE and is happy to share insights and experiences
✔ Listens, encourages, and helps others feel at home
✔ Believes in the power of small gestures—like a coffee chat, a quick check-in, or a warm introduction

Sign up to be a purple person today: https://forms.office.com/r/LH4vAPSxrh

The UE Honors Program is thrilled to offer a limited number of spaces for non-Honors students and faculty to showcase their research at the Undergraduate Research and Honors Symposium on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Eykamp!

Why Participate?

• Present your research alongside UE Honors students
• Receive feedback from a panel of seasoned faculty and staff
• Gain valuable experience for future research and professional conferences

Interested? Email Katie Haire, Assistant Director of the Honors Program (kh530@evansville.edu) to secure your spot! The deadline to apply is April 1st, 2025.

✨ New This Year! ✨ The entire campus community is invited to the Honors Project Exhibit Hall from 3:30-5:00 PM—a must-see display of Spring 2025 Honors Projects, featuring poster presentations and student discussions.

Don’t miss this chance to share your work, connect with peers, and celebrate research excellence!

The housing selection process for fall housing begins on March 3.  Students should review the attached slideshow and review the information on the Residnce Life website at https://www.evansville.edu/residencelife/housingapplyreturn/calendar.cfm and the other header options on that page.  In the slideshow, you can click the image on the “Demo Screens” slide to link to a ScribeHow that will walk you through the application process and how to form a roommate group.

All housing applications, registration fees, forming roommate groups, and selection of rooms will take place in your eRezLife account.

Key dates to remember are:

• March 3 – March 21
• Apply for housing in eRezLife
• Submit your $75 non-refundable housing registration fee in your eRezLife account
• March 3 - March 24
• Form roommate groups in eRezLife (roommates will need to have a completed application and accept your roommate group invitation)
• March 24 – April 4
• Room selection appointments by assigned time
• View available rooms and save preferences after you receive your selection application

If you have any questions, please reach out to Residence Life or stop by one of the upcoming ResLife tabling events throughout the month of March in Ridgway (March 3, 6, 17, and 20).

Family, friends and loved ones of the late Dr. Marvin E. Hartig are pleased to announce the application process for the Dr. Marvin E. Hartig Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Hartig, Dean of Evansville College’s Evening College in 1967, and administrator for the Center for Advanced Study, director of the Evansville chapter of the American Institute of Banking (AIB), and the international student advisor. In 1974, Dr. Hartig was appointed Dean of Academic Services. He retired in 1984 after serving his alma mater for thirty-five years and passed away in 2007.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving sophomore student. Preference will be given to a student working while being enrolled as a full-time student. International students are encouraged to apply.

Eligible students for the 2025-2026 Hartig Memorial Scholarship will be sophomores in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Download the application.

Deadline: Please return all materials to the Office of Student Financial Services by April 28, 2025. The decision will be announced by May 27, 2025.

Questions: Amber Chandler, Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Financial Services, at ac547@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364

The Margaret E. Schriefer Liberal Arts Scholarship has been established for the University of Evansville in loving memory of Margaret E. Schriefer. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student, covering full tuition, books, supplies, materials, and laboratory fees. To be considered for this scholarship, students must meet the following qualifications:

• Must be enrolled at the University of Evansville and have a major of study in Literature, English, Music or Theatre.
• Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States of America with no prior criminal record, other than minor traffic violations.
• Must be a free and accepted Mason in good standing in a local lodge under the authority of the Grand Lodge of its state, or be the descendant, sibling, or nephew/niece of a Master Mason in good standing in his respective lodge under the authority of the Grand Lodge of its respective state. If the related Mason shall not be living at the time of the student’s consideration for this scholarship, a letter shall be obtained from the Lodge of the related Mason to the effect that the related Mason was in good standing at the time of his death.

Must have and maintain a “C” average.

If you meet the requirements for this scholarship, please complete the scholarship application and return to the Office of Student Financial Services by April 18, 2025.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services by email at studentfinancialservices@evansville.edu or by phone at 812-488-2364.

Faculty in UE's School of Education engaged in a self-study to evaluate the effectiveness of their elementary and intermediate classroom programs in preparing future educators. The self-study was submitted to the International Literacy Association (ILA) for evaluation. The International Literacy Association National Recognition is awarded to outstanding licensure, certificate, and endorsement programs that prepare literacy professionals.

We are proud to announce that the University of Evansville has become the fifth higher education institution in the United States to earn ILA National Recognition for program alignment to rigorous ILA standards. Only fifteen universities in the United States have earned this distinction, and the University of Evansville is the first university in Indiana to qualify for this honor.

Earning ILA National Recognition demonstrates that UE's School of Education adheres to a rigorous set of standards for preparing literacy professionals, setting us apart from similar programs. This seal of approval, granted only by ILA, shows that the program at UE meets or exceeds ILA's high standards for excellence.

Special thanks are extended to our Dean, Dr. Andy Lampkins, and our Program Chair, Dr. Shari Millikan, for their enduring support and encouragement throughout this long process. We are thankful for your guidance and leadership!

Hello,

I hope this message finds you well. I am conducting a research study focused on understanding the public health implications of e-cigarette use, and I am seeking participants to contribute valuable insights to this important topic. As part of this study, I aim to explore the attitudes, behaviors, and awareness surrounding e-cigarettes and their potential health impact. Your participation will help enhance our understanding of this growing public health concern.

If you are interested in participating, please click the link provided below. All responses will be kept confidential, and your involvement will make a meaningful contribution to the field of public health. If you have any questions or would like additional information please reach out to me at cb534@evansville.edu. Your involvement would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you for considering this opportunity.

Link to the survey:

Click here to participate in this survey

Best regards,

Chloe Braden 

University of Evansville '25 

School of Health Sciences 

PTK Honor Society 

CASA Advocate

Remembering Dr. Leaf Kretz: A Fearless Advocate and Inspirational Educator   The University is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Leaf Kretz, a former associate professor of philosophy from 2013 to 2022.    Leaf welcomed everyone with open arms. They were a strong and fearless voice against injustice and always an advocate for those less fortunate. They deeply cared about their students and inspired so many by making them think more deeply about the world. Time and again, students’ eyes would light up at the mention of Leaf’s name, exclaiming, “Dr. Kretz is AMAZING.” To put it simply, Leaf was committed to enacting positive change and making the world a better place—not only through their scholarship on hope but through all the people whose lives they personally touched. They were intense and passionate, yet also incredibly genuine and caring. Leaf was deeply committed to the physical and emotional well-being of their students. They truly cared about each and every one of them. Their optimism was not just a feeling but a choice and a form of resistance. As their obituary so aptly states, Leaf carried immense hope for a more equitable and loving world and worked tirelessly to make it real. Their commitment was unrelenting, and their optimism never naïve—it was a discipline, a belief in the possibility of a better future.   “They made us better—more honest, more curious, more human.”   In their 2019 TEDxEvansville talk at UE, Leaf shared a vision for justice and equality, saying: “…I’d like for us to think for just a second about what a wonderful world it would be if accidents of birth didn’t dictate whether you had access to things like higher education, a roof over your head, food in your belly, [or] decent health care.” (Watch here)   Leaf was a fantastic teacher, mentor, and friend. Their scholarship of hope is more desperately needed now than ever.   Dr. Kretz deeply influenced the Department of Philosophy and Religion, fostering critical inquiry, ethical reflection, and a commitment to social responsibility. As one of the founders of the Ethics and Social Change major (now Social Justice), they played a pivotal role in shaping a program that continues to inspire students to engage in meaningful social change. Their legacy lives on in the values of this program and in the countless lives they touched. Their full obituary is available here: https://dartefuneralhome.com/tribute/details/10052/Leaf-Kretz/obituary.html

Some minor changes to the proposed Mini Olympics at Harlaxton have resulted in a significant reduction of cost for this amazing opportunity.

Harlaxton is hosting an inaugural Mini Olympics designed for local students to inspire, elevate, and empower children through the power of sports, whilst enjoying a beautiful, historical setting. Inspire+ is Harlaxton's sponsored charity of the year. Local Olympians and Paralympians host the 3-day event for over 2800 primary grade students from the Grantham area. Harlaxton will host one station that will offer Cheerleading activities, and participants will engage with students during this fun activity.

Participants will arrive on June 6th and tour the Grand Manor State Rooms. On June 7th, participants will travel to Nottingham and visit the City of Caves. On June 8th, participants will tour Belton House and Gardens. June 9, participants will finish the preparations for the Mini Olympics and then the big event takes place June 10-12. On June 13, participants fly home or travel onward on their own.

The total cost for accommodations and meals minus the air fare is $1900 per person. Please contact Lisa Hale at lh241@evansville.edu for more details.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After leading for eight innings, the University of Evansville baseball team rallied back and won its final game against the Valparaiso Beacons 5-4 with a walk-off home run.

The Purple Aces led early but faced a similar situation as Saturday as Valparaiso battled back to tie the game in the top of the ninth. But UE learned from its second game of the series as the team won both the game and the series in the bottom of the ninth. Graduate catcher and pinch hitter Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) hit his first home run of the year to win the game for Evansville with two outs on the board in the 5-4 victory.

“It was a great series win at home,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the game. “Flaherty had a big swing of the bat to secure the series win for us. And [starting pitcher Owen] Byberg was outstanding giving us a chance in the rubber match. We need to take the momentum from this weekend and run with it.”

The Aces had a strong start to Sunday’s game as they took down the Beacons in order and scored a run in the first inning. Center fielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) scored on a wild pitch after getting on base with an error to give UE a 1-0 lead. Evansville had an almost identical second inning, starting with a three up and three down top and scoring one run in the bottom.

Rumsey recorded the Aces' second hit of the game to score second baseman Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS). McConnell moved around the bases in three at-bats as he got on base with a walk, moved to second on a balk, and was put on third by a flyout from right fielder Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC). UE followed the established formula in the third inning, facing the minimum batters in the top of the inning and scoring a run in the bottom.

Starting pitcher Owen Byberg (Barrie, Ontario) had a strikeout in every inning while adding two in the third for four strikeouts in only 33 pitches. While in the bottom of the third after a video review, Taubert connected on his fifth long ball of the season out to left center. The solo home run from the right fielder was the third of the series for Evansville after one in both Friday and Saturday’s games.

Valparaiso had its first hit of the game in the top of the fourth, but the Aces took the next two batters down in order to go back on offense. UE had its first empty inning in the bottom of the fourth as all three batters had putouts in the field. Evansville’s offense stayed quiet for three innings while the Beacons' bats began to get going.

It was déjà vu for the Aces after the fifth inning as Valpo began to score in the back half of the game. The Beacons added a run in the sixth and seventh innings to make it a one-run game. UE was able to get back a run in the bottom of the seventh as third baseman Drew Howard (Ferdinand, Ind. / Forest Park HS) led off with a triple to right center. Howard then scored right after as Rumsey picked up his second RBI with a sacrifice fly.

But Valparaiso answered right back with a solo home run to lead off the eighth and again make it a one-run game. Evansville didn’t add an insurance run in the bottom of the inning as catcher Kaleb Wilkey (Manhattan, Ill. / Lincoln-Way West HS) was stranded at second after hitting a double just past the shortstop. The Beacons tied the game up in the top of the ninth as they strung together a single and a double for their fourth run.

After the tying run scored, the Aces were able to strand Valpo’s go-ahead run with a strikeout from reliever Parker MacCauley (Paducah, Ky. / Tennessee Tech) and a ground out to McConnell. UE needed a run as they returned to offense to avoid its third extra innings game of the season.

Evansville’s first two batters in the ninth recorded outs, bringing the ninth down to Flaherty’s at-bat. Flaherty did not start on Sunday but instead entered as a pinch hitter after shortstop Brodie Peart (Markham, Ontario) pitched in the eighth inning. The graduate player faced two pitches before he connected on a bomb past the left-field fence to win the game for the Aces. It was Flaherty’s first home run of the season, UE’s second of the game, and Evansville’s fourth of the weekend.

First baseman Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) was the only Aces player with multiple hits on Sunday in front of his high school team, who were in town to watch UE while playing local baseball teams over spring break. Seven other Evansville batters recorded a hit, while Rumsey had two RBIs. On the mound MacCauley earned his first victory in an Aces uniform as he pitched 1.0 inning with a strikeout, no walks, and two hits. Byberg had the longest outing for UE at 5.2 innings, allowing only four hits and one run while striking out six batters and allowing a single walk.

Evansville hosts one more team at The Braun in its first homestand of the season. The Aces play the second game of their home-and-home series with Southeast Missouri on Tuesday evening. UE welcomes SEMO to the River City for a 6 p.m. first pitch on Tuesday, April 1.

ST. LOUIS – In the final meet of the weekend the University of Evansville track and field team earned three podium finishes and reset another program record at the Billiken Invite.

The Purple Aces men’s team had their best overall finish of the season on Saturday in St. Louis, finishing fourth of 21 teams with 45 points and second among Division I teams. The UE women placed 21st of 21 with eight points from junior hurdler Kate Walke (Batesville, Ind. / Oldenburg Academy) new program record, and sophomore Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind. / Western HS) finish in the 800-meter race. Evansville had one first-place finish in the men’s 800-meter along with two other podium placements in the men’s 800-meter race and the men’s 100-meter dash.

SPRINTS, HURDLES, RELAY

Walke improved on her outdoor 100-meter hurdle record on Saturday afternoon, running the hurdles .20 seconds faster than Friday, finishing in 15.25 seconds for eighth place. Walke also competed in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.37 seconds. The Aces' only other hurdler freshman Zander Pickens (Poseyville, Ind. / North Posey HS) was a little slower than his time on Friday in the 400-meter hurdles at 1:00.33.

In the men’s 100-meter dash, sophomore Raymond Felton III (Houston / Clear Brook HS) earned UE’s first podium finish of the day, placing third with a time of 10.79 seconds. Sophomore Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington North HS) also finished in the Top 10 with a time of 11.01 seconds for sixth. Junior José Ocampo (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) placed 15th for Evansville with a time of 11.20 seconds, while senior Antwaun Powell (Ringgold, Ga. / Heritage HS) finished in 12.47 seconds.

Walke was the only runner to compete in the women’s 200-meter dash for the Aces. She finished the event in 28.68 seconds for a PR. In the men’s 200-meter dash, Shin had the fastest finish at 22.11 seconds for 10th place. Ocampo ran the race in 22.94 while Pickens was the last sprint runner for UE at 23.55 seconds.

In the first relay of the season, Evansville’s 4x400-meter women’s team finished fifth in the event with a time of 4:23.87. The team was comprised of sophomores Hayes and Kyndall Anthis (Pakota, Ind. / Princeton Community HS) and freshmen Rebekah Sachs (Milwaukee / Milwaukee School of Languages) and Lauren Bradley (Russiaville, Ind. / Western HS).

The Aces had two men’s team compete in the 4x400-meter relay with the team of Ocampo, sophomores Tomasso Losma (Lombardia, Italy), and Owen Cuplin (Hampshire, Ill. / Hampshire HS), and junior Alejandro Navarrette (Mogadore, Ohio / Mogadore HS) having the higher finish in 4th with a time of 3:26.11. UE’s other men’s relay team of freshmen Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) and Kadin McAllister (Lilburn, Ga. / Parkview HS), sophomore Jakub Nowicki (Poznan, Poland), and senior Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) finished in 3:36.08.

MID-DISTANCE

Evansville had five runners finish in the women’s 1500-meter race as Bradley led the way for the second day in a row with a time of 5:08.89. Sachs and finished closely behind with times of 5:09.95 and 5:10.06. Sophomore Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Castle HS) and freshman Skylar Dickenson (Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg HS) rounded out the race for the Aces with times of 5:11.59 and 5:19.03.

In the men’s 1500-meter race, UE had five runner,s with sophomore Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) having the best finish at 11th with a time of 4:02.60. Sophomores Nowicki and Cuplin finished within six places of each other with times of 4:09.92 and 4:16.56. McAllister and Navarrette finished the race in 4:34.22 and 4:38.67.

Evansville had four runners in the women’s and men’s 800-meter races, with Hayes being the only entry in the women’s race, finishing sixth at only a second off her PR at 2:21.86. In the men’s race the Aces took the top two spots as sophomore Cedrik Flipo (Beloeil, Quebec) and Oulgout finished in 1:53.08 and 1:53.49. Lea rounded out the race for UE with a time of 2:06.04.

DISTANCE

Freshman Andrew Potter (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community HS) picked up a fifth-place finish in Evansville’s first track event of the day and the team’s only distance event of the day. Potter ran a 16:18.90 in the men’s 5,000-meter while freshman Oliver Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton HS) ran a 16:52.10 for ninth.

JUMPS

Powell was the only Ace to place in a jump event, competing in the men’s triple jump on Saturday. The senior placed ninth with a jump of 10.90 meters.

FIELD

UE began Saturday in the field as junior Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio / Orange HS) placed ninth in the women’s hammer throw with a throw of 39.89 meters. Senior Kaitlyn Sansone (Fairfield, Ohio / Mercy McAuley HS) was the only Evansville woman to compete in the javelin, with a throw of 30.75 meters for 14th in the event. Freshman Emma Bertel (Franklin, Ind. / Franklin Community HS) threw for 9.47 meters in the shot put to round out the Aces women’s day in the field.

On the men’s side, sophomore Tyler Cherne (Boardman, Ohio / Boardman HS) finished fifth in the hammer throw at 46.01 meters. Sophomore Cole Johnson (Salem, Ill. / Salem Community HS) and freshman Beau Baldwin (Mt. Vernon HS) also competed in the hammer throw with throws of 35.90 meters and 35.15 meters. Johnson competed in two more events for UE, finishing fifth in the discus with a throw of 42.55 meters and setting a PR in the javelin with a throw of 40.60 meters.

UP NEXT:

Next weekend, Evansville heads back to Charleston, Ill. For the second time in the academic year for the Big Blue Classic. Hosted by Eastern Illinois, the Aces will compete on both Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5. The meet on Friday will begin at 2 p.m. at O’Brien Field, while Saturday’s events begin at 11 a.m.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team grabbed an early lead but couldn’t hold off a comeback from the Valparaiso Beacons in the 11-6 loss.

The Purple Aces had all the offense in the first five innings on Saturday, but without scoring between the fourth and ninth innings, it was Valparaiso who was victorious in the second game of the weekend. UE left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) had the hottest bat for Evansville against the Beacons' starter, RHP Harry Deliyannis. The sophomore batter went 3-of-4 from the plate with a double and a home run for a third of the Aces hits on Saturday.

“Coming off of our great performance last night, we didn’t capitalize and win a series today,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the loss. “We didn’t do enough in all three aspects of the game, and you have to give credit to Valpo’s starter. It’ll be a big game tomorrow in the rubber match.”

It was a quick start to the second game of the series as UE starter Kevin Reed (Martinsville, Ind. / Martinsville HS) struck out three batters in two innings of work. Evansville began the scoring on Saturday in the bottom of the second as Longmeier hit his second home run of the season to lead off the inning. The Aces' next three batters all reached first base with right fielder Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC) scoring on a double from third baseman Drew Howard (Ferdinand, Ind. / Forest Park HS) to double UE’s lead.

Evansville added one more run in the bottom of the second as center fielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) had an RBI single up the middle to score Howard. The Aces held onto their three-run lead through the third and the top of the fourth as the Beacons threatened in the top of the third with the bases loaded.

UE tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth with two singles to start the inning from Howard and second baseman Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS). Howard then scored his second run of the afternoon on a sacrifice fly from Rumsey to center field. Valparaiso’s bats began to get going in the fifth with their first hit of the game.

But it was the sixth inning where the Beacons took over the game, scoring six runs on four hits, two errors, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. Valpo tied up the game after loading up the bases with a double, an error, and a wild pitch. The Beacons then took over the lead from Evansville with a two-run homer before the Aces' defense got out of the sixth.

UE’s offense went cold over the next three innings as Longmeier was the only batter to record a hit until the bottom of the ninth. In the final third of the gam,e Valparaiso added five more runs to make it 11 to 4 going into the last frame. Evansville began the bottom of the ninth with a batter at first as pinch hitter Evan Waggoner (Bedford, Ind. / North Bedford Lawrence HS) was hit by a pitch. Pinch runner Mason McCue (Bourbonnais, Ill. / Bishop McNamara HS) went to second right after as McConnell grounded out to second.

A walk to Rumsey put two on base for the Aces, and both runners quickly advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. UE added a run when shortstop Brodie Peart (Markham, Ontario) had an infield ground out to score McCue. Rumsey also scored a run for Evansville on a wild pitch with two outs on the board. The Aces had another walk to get a runner back on base, but a fly out in the next at-bat ended the game in the Beacons' favor.

UE will look to take the series on Sunday afternoon. It will be another noon first pitch for Evansville, with inclement weather expected in the late afternoon and early evening.

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Freshman Eliza Piggott went 3-4 with a 3-run home run, but a 7th inning rally by Valparaiso saw them defeat the University of Evansville softball team by a final of 8-7 on Saturday.

UE scored five runs in the top of the first, but the Beacons chipped away at the lead throughout the game and would finish with the walk-off win.  Piggott led the Purple Aces with three of the team’s nine hits.  Brooke Voss and Callie Meinel recorded two hits apiece.  Meinel had a 2-run home run and three total RBI.

Evansville had a quick start, plating five runs in the top of the first.  Keghan Pye hit a 1-out singles with Morgan Adams following with a walk.  That brought Eliza Piggott to the plate, who came through with a 3-run home run.  Callie Meinel added an RBI double while Miriah Powell scored on a wild pitch to cap the 5-run inning.

Valparaiso broke through with a 4-run bottom of the third to cut the deficit to one.  They looked to add more before stranding two runners on base.  Following scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth, both teams scored twice in the sixth.  Powell led off the top of the sixth with a walk to bring Meinel to the plate.  Her 2-run shot pushed the lead back to three.  The Beacons quickly responded, scoring two runs to get back within a single run heading to the seventh.

Hits by Jess Willsey and Brooke Voss saw the Aces load the bags in the top of the seventh before a strikeout ended the inning.  Down to their final three outs, the Beacons rallied once again, scoring two runs to complete the comeback and take the win.

Kate Ridgway made the start, allowing four runs, three earned, in three innings.  Gracie Hollingsworth gave up two runs in 2 1/3 inning while two unearned runs scored during the inning tossed by Sydney Weatherford, who was tagged with the loss.  Cassidy Gall recorded the final out.

Next weekend, the Aces return home for a 3-game series versus Belmont.

VALPARAISO, Ind. – University of Evansville head softball coach Mat Mundell picked up his 200th victory with the Purple Aces program as his team swept a road doubleheader at Valparaiso on Friday.

Game 1 – UE 7, Valparaiso 5

With the game tied at 3-3 in the top of the fourth inning, the Purple Aces scored four unanswered runs and hung on to take a 7-5 win in Friday’s opener.

After Valparaiso scored the opening run of the game in the bottom of the first, Evansville responded with a 3-run second inning.  Jess Willsey led things off with a single and Eliza Piggott followed with a walk.  Next up was Brooke Voss, who doubled to center field to bring in Willsey.  Miriah Powell added a sacrifice fly that gave UE its first lead at 2-1 before Voss capped thins off as she crossed the plate on a passed ball.

It did not take long for the Beacons to counter as they tied the game on a 2-run single with two outs in the bottom of the inning.  Evansville took advantage of a Valpo error to retake the lead in the third.  Niki Bode reached on a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch.  She would later score on a VU error.

Willsey’s second hit of the game brought in Niki Bode in the fifth to extend the lead to two runs before a 2-run sixth frame pushed the lead to 7-3.  Kynadee Warner and Powell scored on a dropped sacrifice fly off the bat of Callie Meinel.  A solo home run by Valpo cut the deficit to three and they looked for a final rally in the bottom of the seventh.  Two singles opened the frame before UE picked up the first out.  On the ensuing play, Voss and Bode recorded the game-ending double play to secure the victory.

Cassidy Gall picked up the pitching victory.  She tossed 2 1/3 scoreless frames.  Gracie Hollingsworth was credited with the save.  In 2 2/3 innings, she allowed two earned runs.  Kate Ridgway made the start.  In two frames, she allowed three runs, two being earned, on one hit.  As a team, UE posted seven hits with Willsey going 2-4.  Bode led the way with two runs scored.

Game 2 – UE 6, Valparaiso 4

Jess Willsey delivered an RBI double in the top of the 8th inning that proved to be the game winner in the second contest against the Beacons.

Patient at-bats in the first inning led to four walks and a 2-0 lead for the Aces.  Taylor Howe, Niki Bode, and Morgan Adams each drew walks to load the bases with no outs.  Eliza Piggott recorded UE’s fourth walk of the frame to bring in the first runoff the game before Brooke Voss was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in another run.

Valparaiso had its first scoring threat in the bottom half of the second, picking up two hits while loading the bases with two outs.  Sydney Weatherford forced a flyout to end the frame.  Bode led the top of the third off with a double and crossed the plate on a Beacon error to extend the advantage to 3-0.

Looking to tack on some extra insurance, the Aces loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth, but a flyout kept the lead at 3-0.  Valpo capitalized in the bottom of the inning, breaking through with two outs.  After loading the bases, a 2-run single cut the UE lead to a single run.  Evansville got that run back when Howe crossed the plate in the sixth.

Trailing by two entering the bottom of the seventh, the Beacons rallied to tie the game on a 2-run single with two outs.  Despite the late rally by VU, the Aces did not give up.  Howe led the top of the 8th off with a single, but the next two batters recorded outs.  That brought WIllsey to the plate, who delivered an RBI double to put UE back in front.  Eliza Piggott added an RBI triple to push the lead to two.  In the bottom of the frame, reliever Kate Ridgway retired the side in order to secure the win.

UE finished with seven hits with Willsey and Piggott picking up two apiece.  Sydney Weatherford made the start, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings of work.  Elle Jarrett threw the next 1 1/3 frames before Kate Ridgway registered the final five outs on the way to her fifth win of the season.  On Saturday, the Aces look for the series sweep as the teams square off at 12 p.m.

ST. LOUIS – The University of Evansville track and field team began its outdoor season at the WashU Distance Carnival and the SLU Speed/Power meet.

The Purple Aces had a big start to their 2025 outdoor season as five separate records fell across two meets. Along with five new program records, UE had nine podium finishes at the SLU Speed/Power meet. Overall, the Evansville men’s team placed fourth of 11th while the women placed sixth of 11th at the Speed/Power meet. The Aces only had three runners compete in the WashU Distance Carnival for no team score.

SPRINTS, HURDLES, RELAYS

UE’s first program record fell early as the 4x100-meter men’s team of Jose Ocampo (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico), Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington North HS), Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind. / North HS), and Raymond Felton III (Houston / Clear Brook HS) placed second for the 76th fastest time in Division 1. The team ran the relay in 41.28 seconds to break the Evansville program record that stood for over 50 years by just over seven tenths of a second.

Sophomore sprinter Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) had the best individual day for the Aces, breaking two program records and having a podium finish in all three events she competed in. Johnson earned the top spot in the women’s 400-meter race with a time of 57.30 seconds to break her program record in the event from 2024 by three-tenths of a second. The sophomore also finished third in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash while breaking the 200-meter dash program record. Johnson ran the 200 in 25.32 seconds to eclipse the previous record of 26 seconds and ran the 100 in 12.41 seconds. Sophomore Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind. / Western HS) was the only other UE sprinter on the women’s team to compete on Friday, placing ninth in the 400-meter race with a time of 1:02.02.

Evansville had three runners in the men’s 400-meter race placed in the Top 10, with sophomore Cedrik Filpo (Beloeil, Quebec) leading the way in third with a time of 48.95 seconds. Senior Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) finished sixth with a time of 50.93 seconds, and sophomore Jakub Nowicki (Poznan, Poland) finished 10th with a time of 51.91 seconds. The Aces had six runners in the men’s 100-meter dash as Felton III took the first place with a time of 10.60 seconds for the 82nd fastest time among DI runners.

Terry and Shin also finished in the Top 15 at 11.09 and 11.14 seconds for 10th and 12th. UE’s other three runners in the 100-meter were Ocampo at 11.20 seconds, freshman Zander Pickens (Poseyville, Ind. / North Posey HS) at 11.57 seconds, and senior Antwaun Powell (Ringgold, Ga. / Heritage HS) at 12.21 seconds for his first running event of the season.

In the hurdle events, junior Kate Walke (Batesville, Ind. / Oldenburg Academy) placed sixth in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.55 to break her 2024 record by five 1/100th of a second.  Pickens also competed in his first 400-meter hurdle event on Friday night, finishing in the Top 10 with a time of 1:00.29 for ninth.

MID-DISTANCE

Three of the four Evansville runners in the women’s 800-meter race finished back-to-back-to-back. Freshman Lauren Bradley (Russiaville, Ind. / Western HS) led the way in seventh with a time of 2:30.11, followed by freshman Rebekah Sachs (Milwaukee / Milwaukee School of Languages) and sophomore Kyndall Anthis (Pakota, Ind. / Princeton Community HS). Freshman Skyler Dickenson (Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg HS) also finished in the Top 15 with a time of 2:39.44.

In the men’s 800 race freshman Kaiden McAllister (Lilburn, Ga. / Parkview HS) had the best finish for the Aces with a time of 2:02.20. He was followed by sophomore Owen Cuplin (Hampshire, Ill. / Hampshire HS) with a time of 2:02.91 and junior Alejandro Navarrette (Mogadore, Ohio / Mogadore HS) with a time of 2:09.29. UE’s final mid-distance event of the day was the men’s 1,500-meter race, where freshman Andrew Potter (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community HS) placed first at 4:25.15. Fellow freshman Oliver Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton HS) also had a podium finish, placing third with a time of 4:38.86.

DISTANCE

Evansville had three distance runners compete at the WashU Distance Carnival on Friday as well. Sophomore Tomasso Losma (Lombardia, Italy) ran the men’s 1500-meter race for a time of 3:55.62. While sophomore Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) broke his 5K time from 2024 by over 17 seconds at 14:41.82. The Aces' last runner to compete at WashU was sophomore Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Castle HS) in the women’s 10K race with a time of 40:25.98.

JUMPS

UE had two athletes compete in the men’s long jump and the women’s high jump on Friday. Powell’s longest jump was 5.65 meters for his first outdoor event of the year. Sophomore Lilyana Gargano (Hudson, Fla. / Fivay HS) placed seventh in the women’s high jump at 1.45 meters.

FIELD

Junior Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio / Orange HS) finished fourth in the women’s hammer with a throw of 42.59 meters on Friday. Freshman Emma Bertel (Franklin, Ind. / Franklin Community HS) threw her first women’s hammer event at 25.21 meters.

Bertel had more success in the women’s shotput placing fifth with a throw of 11.02 meters. Senior Katilyn Sansone (Fairfield, Ohio / Mercy McAuley HS) had a Top 15 finish with a throw of 9.52 meters while junior Holland Morris (Florence, Ky. Randall K. Cooper HS) threw for 5.48 meters in her first event of the outdoor season.

The Evansville men’s team had two throwers in the hammer throw on Friday afternoon. Sophomore Tyler Chrene (Boardman, Ohio / Boardman HS) earned a podium finish with a throw of 48.15 meters for third. Sophomore Cole Johnson (Salem, Il. Salem Community HS) also placed in the Top 15 at 11th with a throw of 39.27 meters.

UP NEXT

The Aces return to competition on Saturday at the SLU Billiken Invite. UE will start the day with throws at 9:30 a.m., while the first track events begin at 11:30 a.m.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team earned its first Missouri Valley Conference win at German American Bank Field on Friday night against the Valparaiso Beacons.

The Purple Aces led from the bottom of the second and never looked back in their 7-3 win over Valparaiso. Three UE batters had two hits, while four others had a hit with five multi-base hits. Starting pitcher Kenton Deverman (Dardenne Prairie, Mo. / Fort Zumwalt West HS) evened his record at 2-,2 while reliever Max Hansmann (Elmhurst, Ill. / York HS) picked up his first save of the year.

“I feel like it was a complete nine inning game on the mound, at the plate, and in the field,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the win. “It was a great way to start the weekend with an opportunity to win a series on Saturday. Deverman and Hansmann were great on the mound tonight. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow as we reveal the banners that represent the special 2024 season!”

It was a quick first inning and a half at Charles H. Braun Stadium as both pitchers faced no more than five batters. Evansville struck first in the bottom of the second as left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) put a double into right with only one out on the board. Longmeier made his way to third on a fly out to right and scored the Aces' first run on a single up the middle by second baseman Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS). Designated hitter Aaron Nehls (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) also scored on the McConnell single after getting on base with a walk and stealing second.

UE kept the 2-0 lead for an inning until they added another run in the bottom of the third as infielder Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) hit a solo home run past the right field wall. The homer was McGinnis's second of the year and the first to be hit by Evansville on its home field. The Beacons answered with a solo home run of their own in the top of the fourth inning to make it a 3-1 game.

Neither team scored in the fifth as the Aces had the only hit of the inning, an infield single from center fielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS). UE was able to add some insurance to its lead in the bottom of the sixth as shortstop Brodie Peart (Markham, Ontario) led off with a single to right center. Peart wouldn’t be on the base paths long as he was out on the next play, but Longmeier kept an Evansville runner on base.

Longmeier again moved into scoring position at third base on the next at bat as catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) had an infield single that was overthrown by Valpo to first, allowing the extra base. Nehls put the ball into play during his plate appearance, scoring Longmeier, while Flaherty became the second out for a 4-1 Aces lead.

The Beacons cut UE’s lead by one as they had a leadoff triple that scored on a wild pitch. But Evansville was able to answer right back in the bottom of the seventh with three runs on four hits. Rumsey, right fielder Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC), Peart, and Flaherty all scored with two of the hits scoring runs.

Rumsey began the half inning with a double down the left field line and scored the Aces' fifth run soon after on Taubert’s single up the middle. Taubert didn’t make it home as he was caught stealing, but Peart hit his first collegiate triple an at-bat later to get into scoring position. Longmeier was walked after Peart’s triple, putting runners at the corners for UE.

It was Flaherty who had the dagger of a hit putting a double back into right center. On Flaherty’s double, both Peart and Longmeier scored, making it a five-run lead for Evansville. Valparaiso added one more run in the top of the eighth with two hits, a single and a triple. The triple from the Beacon's center fielder scored their third run of the game with two outs.

The Aces offense went down in order in the bottom of the eighth with three putouts in the field. But UE’s defense did the same to Valpo as Hansmann threw back-to-back strikeouts to secure the Evansville win. Hansmann tied his career-high in strikeouts on Friday, retiring five batters in 3.1 innings of work.

The Aces will get right back to it on Saturday afternoon for the second game of the series with the Beacons. UE will celebrate its historic 2024 season by unveiling two banners at Charles H. Braun Stadium before first pitch. Saturday’s game is set to begin at 12 p.m.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Missouri Valley Conference announces the 2025 Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete Team following the completion of the 2024-25 conference season. Six members of the University of Evansville women’s team were named to the team.

Scholar-Athlete honors require athletes to have competed in the MVC Swimming and Diving Championships and maintain either a 3.5 grade-point average and obtain all-conference honors, achieve a 3.7 grade-point average and top s24 finish in individual event at championships, or maintain a 3.9 grade-point average and participate in the MVC championship (including non-scorers).

Evansville’s honorees include Rebecca Lago (4.00 GPA), Evelyn Chin (3.98 GPA), Luana Carrotta (3.94 GPA), Mari Mueller (3.87 GPA), Sveva Brugnoli (3.80 GPA), and Ane Madina (3.72 GPA).

The Missouri Valley Conference had an outstanding 113 student-athletes on the scholar-athlete team this season for swimming and diving. In the 2024-25 season, 26 of these scholar-athletes had a perfect 4.00 GPA.