Walnut Street will be closed on Friday, April 25, beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. and will reopen around 11:30 p.m. following Purple Palooza.

During this time, there will be no access to or from Lot F (located between Moore and New Halls).

If you need to use your vehicle during the closure, please move it out of Lot F by 10:00 a.m. Friday. If you do not need your vehicle, it may remain in the lot.

The University of Evansville’s 167th Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 10th to honor the Class of 2025. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Ford Center. No tickets are required. For those who cannot attend in-person, the ceremony will also be live streamed at evansville.edu/live/. This will also include closed captioning for those in need. Full information is available at the Commencement Central webpage at evansville.edu/Commencement.

Need papers shredded? Bring them to the free Piranha Mobile Shredding Event on campus on Thursday, May 1^st  (Reading Study Day) between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot behind Koch Center.

 Remember: Paper that contains personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. cannot be placed directly into a recycling bin or trash container. It should be properly disposed of by one of the following methods:

1)    Shredding the papers with personal information into a bag and then placing the bag of shredded paper in the recycling container.

 2)    Placing the papers with personal information in a secure (locked) Piranha shredding container in your area.

Thank you for recycling and helping us prevent identity theft by properly disposing of personal information!

 During the free shredding event, you can bring paper from home! The limit is 100 lbs. per visit. Visits are unlimited during the event.

NURS 385 students will hold their poster presentations on Friday, April 25th from 8:30-9:45 a.m. in Rademacher's Lounge.  Please take this opportunity to stop by and check out their poster presentations and grab a sweet treat!

A formal grand opening ceremony at Orange Leaf is happening this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The first 10 guests get free FROYO for a year! There will also be other giveaways.

The University of Evansville Leadership Awards celebrate the achievements of outstanding students who have dmeonstrated exceptional leadership on campus. Established in 1983, this annual event brings together multiple departments to honor students for thei dedication, service, amd impact in various areas of campus life. The awards highlight the diverse talents and contributions of UE students, fostering a sense of community and recognizing those who inspire others through their leadership.

The Leadership Awards will take place on April 30th in Eykamp Hall. Doors open at 5:30pm. Attire is business casual.

RSVP for the Leadership Awards here!

The University of Evansville's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is hosting a Pie-the-Professor Event on Friday, April 25th from 3pm-5pm! The event will be hosted either in the Koch Center central lobby by the front stairs or outside the front doors of the Koch Center (weather depending).

Participating Professors Include: Dr. Lofton, Dr. Voss, Dr. Kaufman, Dr. Omwenga, Dr. Seah, Dr. Gordon, Dr. Slade, and more!

Students (or any staff) can pie a professor for $4 or use a waterballoon for $2.

All proceeds go towards SWE! Our goal is to bring together everyone in the STEM community through learning and fun events, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Friday!

Come Celebrate the Senior Art Exhibition 2025!

The Department of Art is excited to invite you to this year's Senior Art Exhibition at the Melvin Peterson Gallery, featuring the work of Madison Adams, Wren Brooks, Mari Mueller, and Dezeree Shepherd.

Exhibition Dates:

April 21 - May 9

Opening Reception:

Wednesday, April 23 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Closing Reception:

Friday, May 9 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Come check out the amazing artwork and help us celebrate these talented students!

Garage to IPO: Startups and Stories from Silicon Valley

Monday, April 28^th

Event begins at 6pm

Doors open at 5:30pm

Schroeder School of Business; Room 170

David Siminoff is an entrepreneur and investor with a dynamic career spanning technology, media, and education.  He began by founding EastNet, a pioneering barter company in Eastern Europe, before joining Capital Research, where he played a key role in early investments in tech giants like Yahoo!, Amazon, eBay, and Netflix. He later served as CEO of Spark Networks and was a general partner at Venrock, the Rockefeller family's venture capital arm. In 2008, he co-founded Shmoop, an innovative edtech platform, where he continues to serve as Chief Creative Officer. His career reflects a passion for building and backing transformative ideas from the ground up.  A current resident of Wyoming, he remains active in the tech community, co-hosting the Wyoming Global Technology Summit and serving on the Astrophysics Board at Princeton University.

On April 26th, the Peters-Margedant House will host an Open House to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibit. This exhibit was carefully curated by Archaeology Department Senior Sophia Caci. The exhibit covers the personal life of Peters-Margedant House architect, William Wesley Peters. Please join us between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to learn more about his life and to see the beauty of the house during the spring time! Admission is free and volunteers are available to tell you more about this historic home.

For more information or questions, please email Emily Wilderman, ew261@evansville.edu.

Gathering for Gratitude A Celebration of Donor Scholarships

Join us in celebrating the generosity that changes lives.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

5:00 – 7:30 p.m. CST
Starting in Wheeler Concert Hall then moving outside between Krannert & Hyde Hall

Come connect, celebrate, and enjoy an evening of student stories, a delicious cookout (FREE food!), live music, and lawn games.

Let’s gather in gratitude for the scholarships shaping futures.

REGISTER

For questions, contact Taylor Houchin at tb90@evansville.edu.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mark Shifflet on his distinguished career and upcoming retirement after 27 years with the university. A reception in his honor will be held in the Dean’s Conference Room (Hyde Hall 206) on Wednesday, April 30 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dr. Shifflet received his PhD in Communication from Rutgers University in 1995. He has served as Chair of the Department of Communication for eighteen years and served on the Faculty Senate as Chair. He was the recipient of the Dean’s Teaching Award for Arts & Sciences.

At UE, Dr. Shifflet has taught courses that have included multimedia design, intercultural communication, media law, health communication and world media systems. He became a Fulbright Scholar in 2010 studying characteristics of China’s media system and the development of its media law.

Join SAB to celebrate the end of the semester! We have food trucks, music, films, art, giveaways, butterfly garden, and SO much more on next Friday, April 25 from 5-8pm! We can't wait to see you there!

Join us for the National Day of Prayer on May 1, as we pray for unity across relationships, communities, and around the world.

The University of Evansville Theatre announces the final installment of the 2024–2025 season with Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, LITTLE WOMEN. This production opens at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Apr. 24, in the May Studio Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Apr. 25 and 26, and at 2:00 p.m., on Apr. 26 and 27. This award-winning playwright has once again treated her source material with mischievous freedom, and the result is a sparklingly fresh adaptation of a timeless classic.  Jo March has no intention of being a typical Victorian lady!  In fact, all the March sisters strive to be intelligent and imaginative young women, and all are forced to reconcile their own ambitions with society’s expectations.  Using whip-smart dialogue, this modern adaptation is as intimate, endearing, and surprising as Alcott’s original novel was 150 years ago.

LITTLE WOMEN is directed by Maya Barry, a senior stage management major, from Marietta, Ga.; Guest Artist, Austin Kuhn ’20 serves as the scenic designer; Josie Madzik, a junior theatre studies major from Howell, Mich., is the costume designer; Ethan Santiago, a junior design and technology major from Belton, Texas, is the lighting designer; William Cooper Sanders, a junior theatre performance major from Jeffersonville, Ind., serves as the sound designer; Nick Geyvandova, a first-year theatre performance major from College Station, Texas, is the dramaturg; Jasmine Hardin, a first-year stage management major from Aurora, Colo., is the stage manager, and Quinn McGaugh, a junior performance major from McAlester, Okla., serves as the technical director.

The cast features Sophia McGuire, a junior theatre studies major from McKinney, Texas, as Jo March; Evelyn Hipp, a senior theatre studies major from Nolensville, Tenn., as Meg March; Kiara Cantu, a first-year performance major from Edinburg, Texas, as Beth March; Emily Proctor, a sophomore theatre studies major from Jeffersonville, Ind., as Amy March; Kennedy Olson, a junior performance major from Porter, Texas, as Marmee March/Aunt March; Alyssa Meadows, a junior performance major from Louisville, Ky., as Hannah/Mrs. Mingott/Messenger; Landry Barker, a junior performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, as Theodore “Laurie” Laurence; Arturo Quepons, a junior theatre performance major from San Antonio, Texas, as John Brooks/Parrot; and Gage Dragoo, a first-year performance major from Frisco, Texas, as Robert March/Mr. Laurence.

Seating is limited, and tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for senior adults, UE employees, and non-UE students. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031.

The University of Evansville is launching a Professional Clothing Closet in Fall 2025 to ensure every Ace has access to attire for interviews, internships, and career opportunities.

We’re collecting gently used professional clothing April 21–25.

Drop-off locations:

• Ridgway University Center (Philanthropy Week table & Career Development Office)
• Graves Hall
• Olmsted Administration Building
• Hyde Hall
• Koch Center (main entrances)
• SOBA (main entrances)

Your donation can make a difference. Let’s empower each other to show up with confidence and courage—because that’s what Aces do.

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.

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.

"Celebrating Hispanic Voices" Podcast: By Hispanic Students for Hispanic Students

Season 2 – Episode 4 is out!

In Episode 4, join Jocelyn as she learns about Santi's family (shout out little sis!), his faith, and his transition into UET. His onward-attitude is amazing! You don't want to miss the lovely stories and hilarious jokes in this episode!

Spotify: Season 2 Episode 4 – Santi's story - Celebrating Hispanic Voices Podcast

Apple Podcast: Season 2 Episode 4 – Santi's story - Celebrating Hispanic Voices Podcast

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

Due to preparations for the annual Bike Race, Lot H will be closed from Tuesday, April 22 through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Our New Foundations Newsletter Is Out Now!
Read all about it — featuring major projects, milestones, employee recognitions, operations updates, shout-outs, and more!

Foundations Newsletter - April 2025 - Office of Facilities Management and Planning - University of Evansville

The Office of Residence Life is seeking a creative and motivated student to serve as our Marketing Assistant. This position supports the promotion of Residence Life programs and services through social media, newsletters, event marketing, and more. The role averages 10-15 hours per week. A housing scholarship is provided. 

Applicants must be in good standing with the University of Evansville, have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate strong communication skills, attention to detail, and experience with social media, marketing, and design. 

To apply, submit an application, resume. and a sample advertisement by May 10, 2025. You can find the application on eRezLife.

For questions, contact the Office of Residence Life.

The University of Evansville’s current fiscal year, FY25, will end on May 31, 2025. The offices of Administrative Services and Accounting & Audit announce the following procedures related to the purchase of goods and services during the month of May:

Pcard Purchases:

• Pcard purchases posting for the month of May (cycle ending May 21) will be paid from the current fiscal year, FY25, unless the purchase is a prepaid item for the next fiscal year.
• All Pcard users should enter the allocation account numbers for May’s posted transactions in Chrome River by June 6, 2025. After that date, transactions will be posted to the Pcard user’s default budget account number.
• Pcard purchases that qualify as a prepaid expense for the next fiscal year should be noted as follows on reconciliation reports:
  • When adding your transaction to a reconciliation report, please use the “Miscellaneous” tile and then the “Prepaid Expense” tile
  • The allocation account number will be: 10-00-000000
  • In the Description field, add the details of this expense and the account number it should be charged to in Fiscal Year 2026

Purchase Orders:

• To enter a purchase order for the next fiscal year, FY26, please create the purchase order with an effective date of 6/1/2025 or later.
• Approved requisitions converted into purchase orders with delivery by May 31, 2025, will be paid from this fiscal year’s budget.

Blanket Purchase Orders:

• To enter a blanket purchase order for the next fiscal year, FY26, please create the order with an effective date of 6/1/2025 or later.
• All FY25 blanket orders expire on May 31, 2025.

Payment Requests:

• All invoices to be paid from FY25 must be submitted through Self Service by June 10, 2025.

On March 24, 2025, the Office of University Advancement added a new team member, Jason T. Kingsbury ’06.  Jason returns to his alma mater as a Major Gifts Officer.  He is originally from Elberfeld, IN and was a political science major at UE.

Following a successful tenure working as a political consultant and marketing strategist in Washington, DC, Jason has seen and experienced much of the country.  Now he is centered on deep and meaningful connections through family, people and relationship building – admitting that the University of Evansville was his first pick! “This is my home – where I’m from – only place I want to be.” 

Jason’s fundraising territory includes Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio (minus Cincinnati), and Southern Indiana, and he will serve as the liaison for the humanities side within the Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences.

Please join us in welcoming Jason T. Kingsbury ’06 back to the University of Evansville, where he is ready to contribute to our mission of Changing Lives and Changing the World.

UE is in the process of hiring a new Assistant Director for Facilities Management and Planning, who will oversee grounds, moving and events.

As part of the process, the Office of Facilities Management and Planning will be hosting Open Forums for three candidates. University employees are welcome to attend and participate in these forums. All forums will take place in Library 209 – Robert Morris Conference Room.

Below is the schedule:

• Colton Barnes – April 21 at 1:00 PM

• Darrell Sanford – April 23 at 9:00 AM

• Trace Stevens – April 29 at 10:00 AM

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting survivors. Sexual assault is a pervasive issue on college campuses, with 13% of all students experiencing rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation. Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience these forms of sexual violence. Members of historically marginalized communities face even higher rates of sexual violence.

It's crucial that we come together to address this issue and promote a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

We have several events planned throughout the month to educate and engage our community:

• Healthy Relationships Program: Join us on April 10th from 5:50-6:45pm in SOBA 71 to learn about building and maintaining healthy relationships.
• Library Display: Visit the library to explore a curated display on sexual assault awareness and prevention.
• Interactive Exhibit: Engage with an interactive exhibit in the Multicultural Student Commons that highlights the impact of sexual violence and ways to support survivors.
• Lunch and Learn: Attend a session with Nursing professor Chantal Wood on Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners on April 29th from 12-1pm in the Multicultural Student Commons. This session will provide valuable insights into the role of these specialized nurses in supporting survivors and collecting evidence.

We encourage all community members to participate in these activities and to always ensure that they obtain clear and enthusiastic consent from their partners. Let's work together to create a campus culture where everyone feels safe and respected.

*Your exclusive Columbia Employee Store Invite has arrived. *

Columbia Employee Store Invitation Details:

• University of Evansville Alumni Association offer is valid April 18th - May 11th! 
• Shop our family of brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna at 40% off retail pricing
• For store access, please provide your digital invite (printed or shown on your mobile device) + proof of affiliation
• Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit
• This offer is for store access (not valid online)
  
  

Have a wonderful week!

Kentucky Employee Store Team| Columbia Sportswear Company

Store Location: 2480 US-41 N | Henderson, KY 42420

Store Phone: (270) 854-3265

Email: kentuckyemployeestore@columbia.com 

Columbia Sportswear | Mountain Hardwear | SOREL | prAna

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

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.

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

Three mechanical engineering students presented work at the American Society for Engineering Education Illinois-Indiana Sectional Conference, which was held at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on April 12. Quinn Fossier, a ME junior, presented a peer-reviewed paper titled "Efficacy of Generative Design and Topology Optimization Compared to Traditional Design Processes Using the Case Study of a Cantilevered Beam". Christopher Martin, a ME sophomore, and Kevin Baehl, a ME junior, presented work titled "Adaptation of Existing Material Testing Equipment for Tensile Testing of Additive Manufactured Materials" with Dr. Jared Fulcher serving as faculty advisor.

Erin Lewis, executive director of the Center for Innovation and Change, and Robert Dion, director of the Political Science program, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate as judges in the national finals of the We The People competition.  State champions from high schools all across America converged on the capital last week to show their knowledge of the Constitution and the American political system.  Lewis and Dion were part of a three-member panel of judges that focused on federalism and the rule of law.  They were joined on the panel by Jonathan Varat, a former dean of the UCLA law school and coauthor (with Vikram Amar) of a leading textbook on constitutional law.  Their facilitator for the two days of competition was Atara Muhammad, global programs specialist for the District of Columbia Public Schools. Erin Lewis participated in the We The People program as a high school student at Castle and then went on to run the entire program in the state of Indiana. She currently serves on the board of the Center for Civic Education, which administers the We The People program nationwide.  For the past several years, the University of Evansville has been proud to host the regional competition for southwestern Indiana schools at our campus.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head men’s basketball coach David Ragland has announced the addition of AJ Casey to the Purple Aces squad for the 2025-26 campaign.

Casey brings a wealth of experience to the UE program after spending his first two seasons at the University of Miami before joining Saint Louis last season.  He was part of the Hurricanes team that advanced to the Final Four in 2023.

"We welcome AJ and his family to our Evansville family with extreme enthusiasm.  AJ is a versatile wing/forward that has yet to display his full potential at the collegiate level,” Ragland exclaimed.  “He is skilled with the ability to dribble, pass and shoot.  Along with strength and athleticism to finish plays above the rim."

Last season, Casey was limited to three games with the Billikens due to injury.  His top performance came against Avila where he went 2-for-2 from the field while adding a pair of blocks.  In two seasons at Miami, Casey appeared in 53 games.  As a freshman in the 2022-23 campaign, Casey led all freshmen on the squad with floor time in 29 games.

He appeared in the NCAA Tournament wins over Indiana and Texas while also seeing the floor in the Final Four contest against UConn.  His sophomore year at Miami saw him play in 24 games while averaging 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

A consensus four-star recruit out of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Casey was ranked as the No. 60 recruit in ESPN’s Top 100 rankings in 2022.  He was nominated to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game following a senior season that saw him finish with 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.0 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game.

Casey led his high school team to a city title along with a berth in the state finals as a senior.

“I chose UE because it offers the opportunity for me to grow personally and professionally,” Casey said.  “It is ap lace where I can challenge myself and build lasting connections that will shape my future.”

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Masatoyo Kato tied for 17th to pace the University of Evansville men’s golf team at the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Championship at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Kato completed Tuesday’s final round with a 1-over 73 to complete the tournament with a 220, 4-over-par.  Monday’s first two rounds saw Kato register scores of 72 and 75.  His effort was good for a 17th-place tie.

Second on the Purple Aces squad was Daniil Romashkin.  Wrapping up the tournament with a 226, Romashkin tied for the 33rd position.  He completed Monday’s rounds with tallies of 77 and 75 before carding a 2-over 74 in the third round.  Romashkin finished the weekend at 10-over.

Jamison Ousley and Andres Rodriguez tied for the 35th spot.  Each registered 3-round scores of 227, which was 11-over-par.  Ousley opened play on Monday with rounds of 73 and 79 before recording a 75 in round three.  Rodriguez posted rounds of 74 and 78 on day one before finishing with a 75 on Tuesday.

Completing the contingent for Evansville was Omar Khalid.  He finished the third round with a team-low 72 on his way to a final score of 228.  His 12-over score put him in a tie for 40th place.

Illinois State rallied to take the team championship, finishing the weekend with an 856.  Murray State was second, three strokes behind, while Belmont was third, 10 behind the Redbirds.  Evansville came in 9th with an 896.  Trey Wall from the Racers was the individual tournament champion.  Carding a 3-under 69 in the third round, Wall wrapped up the event with a 206.  He was two in front of Belmont’s Foster Wood.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Evansville baseball team had its first bases-clearing home run of the season, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in a 14-4 game.

Freshman shortstop Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS) broke a two-game hitless streak in a big way on Tuesday. McConnell recorded the second home run of his young career as an Ace for UE’s first grand slam of the season. But the grand slam scored Evansville’s only four runs of the game as the Aces had just four batters connect on a hit. Along with McConnell, UE had outfielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS), catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine), and infielder Jake McGhee (Fenton, Mo. / Christian Brothers Academy) record a hit for Evansville.

“It was another tough midweek matchup that we didn’t play well enough to be in the game,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the loss. “We have a big weekend ahead of us on the road in Valley play.”

The Aces got the first hit of the game as Longmeier put a single into left center field in his first at-bat. But he would be left at second as UE’s next two batters went down in order. WKU took the lead in the bottom of the first on a three-run homer after Evansville gave up two free bases with a walk and a hit by pitch in the first three at-bats.

It was a similar result in the top of the second for the Aces as they left a runner stranded at second. UE’s defense kept the Hilltoppers from hitting another home run, but Western Kentucky did add a run to make it 4-0 after two innings. It became a 5-0 game in the third as WKU scored without recording a hit. Flaherty hit one of Evansville’s only multi-base hits to begin the fourth with a stand-up double down the left field line. But he was stranded as the next three Aces batters all went down swinging.

The Hilltoppers almost doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth after loading the bases on a single and two free bases. Western Kentucky’s right fielder put a triple into right past Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC) to clear the bases. The Hilltoppers took a 9-0 lead with four runs in the inning. It became a double-digit game in the bottom of the fifth as a double play review went WKU’s way, leading to a long single that scored two more runs.

With the run rule not in effect until after the seventh inning, UE headed into the sixth staring down an 11-run deficit. Evansville had only its second inning on offense, going down in order for the first frame of the sixth. While the Hilltoppers added their 12th run on a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded.

Facing a potential run-rule loss, the Aces' offense fought back to keep the game going. UE began the seventh with a hit by pitch, a single from McGhee, and a walk to Taubert that loaded the bases with no outs on the board.

McConnell came to the plate with the bases full and fought through a seven-pitch at-bat with three foul balls. He made it count on the seventh, though, as McConnell put the ball just past the right field bullpen for Evansville’s first grand slam of 2025. With four runs on the board, the Aces kept Tuesday’s game going into the eighth
.
UE’s defense had its first three-up and three-down inning of the night in the bottom frame of the seventh. Evansville got a base runner in the top of the eighth as pinch hitter Mason McCue (Bourbonnais, Ill. / Bishop McNamara HS) took a sixth pitch walk. But with two outs already on the board before McCue’s walk, he would be stranded at first with a strikeout.

The Aces didn’t get another chance at the plate as Western Kentucky scored two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, ending the game an inning early. UE came out of Tuesday’s contest on the losing side of the 14-4 final score with starting pitcher Kellen Roberts (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe HS) being tabbed with the loss.

Evansville returns to conference action this weekend on the road. The Aces make their final MVC trip to Springfield and Hammons Field to take on the league-leading Missouri State Bears. The three-game series will begin with a night game on Friday, April 25, set for a 6 p.m. first pitch.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – With two rounds complete at the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Golf Championship, Masatoyo Kato leads the University of Evansville men’s golf team at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Kato is in tie for 19th place at 3-over-par.  He opened the day with an even score of 72 before carding a 3-over 75 in the second 18 holes on Monday.  Kato completed the day with a 147.

Five behind Kato is the trio of Jamison Ousley, Andres Rodriguez, and Daniil Romashkin.  All three registered 2-round tallies of 152.  Ousley checked in with rounds of 73 and 79 while Rodriguez notched a 74 and 78.  Romashkin posted rounds of 77 and 75.  Each are 8-over and tied for 31st heading into the final day.

Omar Khalid is fifth on the team and tied for 44th with a score of 156.  He shot a 76 to open play before finishing the second 18 with an 80.

Evansville is in 9th place with a total of 602.  The Purple Aces are six shots behind Bradley for 8th place.  Murray State holds the team lead with a 570 while Illinois State is close behind with a 571.  Trey Wall of the Racers leads the individuals with a 137.  He is one ahead of Belmont’s Foster Wood.

Tuesday will mark the third and final round of the championship.

The Purple Aces returned home to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in a big way over the holiday weekend. UE picked up its third MVC series, taking two games from the Indiana State Sycamores.  After dropping the first game of the series, Evansville came back in a big way to get the series on Friday and Saturday with back-to-back walk-off win.

On Friday, UE pinch hit Matt Flaherty in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied. Flaherty came through for Evansville, hitting his second walk-off solo home run of the year for the 7-6 win. On Saturday, the Aces came back from an early 6-0 deficit to tie the Sycamores at 8-8 in the bottom of the ninth. Infielder Cal McGinnis tied the game twice for UE with RBI singles in the bottom of the ninth and the bottom of the 11th. But it was pinch hitter Kevin McCormick that got Evansville the series win with an RBI single to left field in the at-bat after McGinnis for the 11-10 victory in 11 innings.  

The Aces return to midweek action at one of the Top 40 teams in the country as they complete their home-and-home series with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. WKU currently sits atop the C-USA standings with former MVC team Dallas Baptist with an 11-4 conference record. The Hilltoppers edge out DBU with a 33-7 overall record to have the 34th best RPI (rating percentage index) in the country. Western Kentucky has the statistically best pitching staff in the country, with the lowest average ERA of 2.81 along with the third most shutouts in the country, with six. UE will see the Hilltoppers' third most consistent starter on Tuesday in senior Gavin Perry, who started a week ago in WKU's 5-2 loss to Louisville.

Evansville now has two players they can consider walk-off wonders after the weekend. Flaherty has hit two walk-off solo homers at Charles H. Braun Stadium against MVC teams in 2025 for the Aces. While infielder and pinch hitter Kevin McCormick has had a walk-off single to left field over Easter weekend for two seasons in a row. During Easter weekend of 2024, McCormick had an identical single to left field that gave UE an 11-10 walk-off win against Southern Illinois in 10 innings of play. 

Senior center fielder Ty Rumsey continues to be the leader at the plate for Evansville as the team heads into the final month of the season. Rumsey has a team-high 54 hits, a .358 batting average, 31 RBIs, 35 runs scored, six sacrifice flies, and 23 stolen bases. He also leads the Valley in sacrifice flies and stolen bases. Rumsey also led the Aces against Indiana State with six hits in 13 at-bats for a .462 average with a double, three RBIs, and a stolen base. His best game of the weekend was in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Sycamores, going 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring a run, bringing in two runs, and stealing his 23rd base of the season.