We are excited to announce that our annual day of giving, Pep and Vim, will be on Friday, April 17, 2026.

This is a great time for departments and programs to raise funds for a specific project. If you are interested in funding a project, please contact Jaime Wilder jw663@evansville.edu with your project idea no later than February 2, 2026.

January 13, 2026

Wheeler Concert Hall

7:30 p.m.

Experience the power and poise of the French horn at 'An Evening of Horn.' Enjoy selections from the classic Baroque brilliance of The Water Music to the soaring, heroic themes of Homage to the Honor-bound and a rousing finish of the Festive Overture, this is a performance you won't want to miss."

Admission is free and open to the public.

Aces Pep Band will rehearse Monday, January 12, 4:00-5:00pm in Krannert 110. All are welcome. If you still need access to the playlist and music files, please contact Dr. Kenneth Steinsultz at ks306.

If you or someone from your team is in need of a headshot, please contact Julie Beer (jb855) to be added to the list. Headshots will be taken on Thursday, January 15, at 9:30 a.m. near the southwest corner of the front oval lawn. In the event of inclement weather for photos (like lots of wind or really cold temps), headshots will be moved indoors to the SOBA atrium.

The University of Evansville (UE) will host the 2026 William G. & Rose Mays MLK Day Lectureship on Monday, January 19, welcoming renowned journalist and scholar Dr. Jelani Cobb as the keynote speaker. The event will take place in Eykamp Hall within Ridgway University Center, with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. and the program beginning at 4:00 p.m.

This year’s Lectureship focuses on the theme “Servant. Strategist. Change Agent. The Anatomy of Transformative Leadership.” The event is designed to help the campus and community reflect on what strong, positive leadership looks like today. Each year, UE uses this Lectureship to bring important voices to campus who help expand conversations about civil rights, fairness, and how we can work together to create meaningful change. The Center for Inclusive Excellence leads this effort and supports the programming that surrounds it.

Dr. Cobb’s work on race, history, democracy, and social change has established him as one of the most respected voices in contemporary public discourse. His participation in the 2026 Lectureship offers the campus and greater Evansville community an opportunity to explore transformative leadership in both historical and modern contexts.

The Lectureship is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional details about the event and the full 2026 MLK Celebration schedule can be found here.

Applications are still open for the Schroeder School Summer Harlaxton May travel. Don't miss this opportunity for this short-term international experience in May.

If you are unable to go on a full semester trip, join us on this short-term Harlaxton trip and earn academic credit while traveling and learning abroad. Here is what you need to know about the trip:

• Course: BUS 365 (3 credit hours)
• Dates: May 15–25, 2026
• Who Can Apply: Open to all UE students (counts toward your degree plan)

This is a unique chance to gain global experience, earn credits, and explore Harlaxton in just 10 days. Apply now and be part of an unforgettable summer experience!

View the flyer.

The Office of Accounting/Payroll will be issuing W-2s for 2025 no later than January 31, 2026.  You may choose 1 of 2 options to receive your W-2:

• Electronic W-2 – If you provide your consent, you will be able to view/print in Self-Service as soon as they are ready.  Notification will be sent through Purple Pulse. 

• Paper W-2 – If you prefer, you can continue to receive your W-2 in the mail. 

An electronic W-2 will give you earlier access than a mailed copy.  It is IRS compliant and can be submitted with your tax return as usual. 

To give consent for the electronic W-2, log in to Self-Service https://selfservice.evansville.edu and go to “Tax Information”.  Select “Receive my W-2 only in electronic form” and save.

If you are eligible to participate in the university’s health plans, you may give consent to receive your 1095-C form electronically here also.  If you choose to withhold your consent to view/print your online W-2 and 1095-C, a paper copy will be mailed to your home address.  Please make sure that your current address is on file.

If you have questions, please contact Shannon Bray at payroll@evansville.edu.

The Honorary Degree Committee is seeking your recommendations for honorary degrees to be conferred at the May 2026 Commencement.

We need your help in selecting accomplished individuals to receive one of our university’s highest honors.  Nominations may be made on the basis of individual service to the University or individual achievement that exemplifies the University’s mission.  Recently selected persons have excelled in a variety of areas including law, medicine, education, business, literature, politics, and entertainment.

The committee will forward nominations to President Pietruszkiewicz so he can make his recommendations to the faculty for their approval later this semester.

Please send your suggestions to the committee chair (bj23@evansville.edu) by Thursday, January 22^nd.  It would help us if you could provide some biographical information, the rationale for your nomination, and contact information for the nominee.

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) awards scholarships to United Methodist college students in the United States. Applications are now open for scholarships to help fund the 2026-27 academic year. Please visit https://umhef.org/apply for more information and to access the application. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026.

If you're passionate about helping new students make connections and find their way at UE, enhancing your leadership skills, and being a part of a close-knit team, apply to be an Orientation Leader for the 2025 school year! Deadline to apply is January 30th. 

Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/GtRwcuHArb 

What is an Orientation Leader (OL)?   

An orientation leader is a student committed to serving the University by offering information and assistance to incoming and new students and their families. OLs wear many hats so they must possess a “we care” attitude as they support students during orientation, welcome week, and beyond. OLs are held to the highest standards of good conduct and must possess leadership skills that allow them to be good role models for other students.

The “We Care” Attitude 

OLs must be able to adapt and adjust quickly and easily to different situations and support a variety of differing needs and backgrounds of incoming students. A genuine interest in caring for people and an ability to spend long hours working with others are important. OLs are frequently asked to embody a spirit of team work and prioritize the needs of new students and family members above their own interests.

Qualifications 

• Understand and believe in the mission of the University of Evansville.  
• Support the University, including the regulations and policies as stated in the Student Handbook.  
• Must maintain a 2.5 G.P.A. and be a full-time student.  
• Must be in good disciplinary standing.  
• Must relate well with faculty, administrators, families, and new students.  
• Must be reliable, confident, sincere, flexible, and display a willingness to help others. 
• Must have good communication and time management skills. 
• Must have the character, academic success, and exemplary attitude that will serve as a good role model for others. 
• Must be able to meet all time commitments associated with the position. 

Do you have any questions? Contact co-chairs Cole Johnson (cj174@evansville.edu) or Elise Horton (eh341@evansville.edu).

🚗 Be a Road Trip Host! 🤠

Hey Aces! Road Trip Rodeo is coming up, and we’re hyped to welcome admitted students to campus — but we need YOUR help to make it awesome.

Sign up to host a Road Tripper (or two) for the weekend! Don’t live in the dorms? No worries — commuters and fraternity members can move onto campus for the weekend.

As a host, you’ll get:
✨ A free Road Trip Rodeo T-shirt
🍽️ Friday night dinner
🎉 Access to all Road Trip events
🙌 The chance to show off how great UE life really is

Grab your roommates and sign up today — it’s gonna be a blast!
Questions? Hit us up at RoadTripHosting@evansville.edu

The Fall 2024 Dean's List is currently on display at the library. Congratulations!

The University extends our sincere sympathies to the family and loved ones of Henry Miner, who served the University of Evansville as a Professor of German from 1971 until his retirement in 2007. A passionate linguist and dedicated educator, Henry’s love of languages, global learning, and service left a lasting impact on our campus community. Our thoughts are with his family during this time. The full obituary can be found by clicking here.

The University extends our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of James Walter Talbert, Ph.D., who passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Dr. Talbert served the University of Evansville with distinction for 35 years as a Professor of Spanish and for 12 years as Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages. During his tenure, Jim was a dedicated educator, trusted academic advisor, Spanish Club sponsor, and an active member of numerous university committees. He was honored as Chi Omega Professor of the Year and Chi Omega Parent of the Year, reflecting the profound impact he had on students both inside and outside the classroom.

A devoted Purple Aces supporter, Jim could often be found cheering on UE athletics at basketball, football, and soccer games for decades. Alongside Alicia and their family, he warmly welcomed international students into their home, offering hospitality, mentorship, and guidance that exemplified the spirit of our university.

Dr. Talbert’s legacy as an inspiring teacher, mentor, and community member will be remembered with gratitude and admiration. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. His obituary can be found by clicking here.

The University of Evansville community extends heartfelt sympathies to Dianna Cundiff, Director of the Center for Career Development, and her family on the passing of her husband, Rodney William Cundiff (July 9, 1969 – January 7, 2026). We grieve with Dianna and her loved ones during this difficult time and offer our thoughts, support, and care as they remember Rodney and honor his life. Read the full obituary and schedule of services by clicking this link.

The University of Evansville community extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, colleagues, and former students of Charles “Chuck” Watson, a proud UE alumnus, longtime faculty member. Dr. Watson returned to his alma mater to chair the Department of Education for years, where he dedicated himself to teaching and preparing future educators for meaningful careers. His passion for students, commitment to educational access, and belief in the transformative power of learning left a lasting impact on the University and on the many lives he touched. He will be remembered with gratitude and respect by the UE community. Read the full obituary by clicking here.

Are you interested in studying abroad at Harlaxton College? Do you have questions about the program or want to learn more about the experience? Stop by to learn more about our semester programs and exciting new updates to the Summer programs!

• Where: Ridgway University Center
• When: Wednesday, January 14
• Time: 11:30 a.m- 12:30 p.m

This is a great opportunity to ask questions, pick up helpful information, and hear more about the unique opportunities available at Harlaxton. We are also happy to visit classes to talk with students about the Harlaxton experience. If you would like us to stop by, please reach out to schedule a time!

CARBONDALE, Ill. – For the second time in as many days, Levi McKinney had a record-breaking dive as the University of Evansville swimming and diving teams competed against Southern Illinois and Indiana State on Saturday. The women face both opposing squads while the men swam against SIU as the Sycamores do not have a men’s team.

McKinney’s score of 335.80 in the 1-meter event set the Purple Aces record and gave him another NCAA Zones qualifying score. He was second in the event. In the 3-meter dive, McKinney took top honors with a score of 329.05. Gabe Lett set PR’s in the 1M (169.70) and 3M (177.70) dives. Eden McRoberts set a personal best in the 1-meter dive. She earned a score of 202.15 for her top performance.

Logan Tenison took the top spot in the 200-backstroe race. He swam a 1:52.43. Tenison earned a runner-up finish in the 100-backstroke. His time of 50.64 was just over a second off the winning time. Trevor O’Sullivan completed the podium in the 100-breaststroke with his effort of 1:01.84 while Adam Pawlak took third in the 200-fly (1:58.77). Michael Pruett followed with a 3^rd-place in the 50-free, completing the race in 21.59.

Highlighting the women’s efforts were a pair of top eight efforts by Hannah Krings. The senior was 6^th in the 1000-free (11:34.03) and 8^th in the 500-free event (5:39.45). Jadyn Dauphinais had her personal best in the 100-fly with a time of 59.16 to take 9^th place. Evelyn Chin was 8^th in the race, swimming a 58.44. Claire Mewbourne finished the 100-breaststroke race in 8^th place (1:09.55) before coming in 9^th in the 200-breaststroke with a time of 2:30.87.

FULL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Women’s 200 Medley Relay

Moody/Mewbourne/Chin/Madina – 7^th – 1:49.36

Hamilton/Giese/Dauphinais/Pesavento – 8^th – 1:53.86

Carrotta/Markarewicz/Denny/Miller – 9^th – 1:56.32

Men’s 200 Medley Relay

Tenison/Guilherme/Willis/McCall – 2^nd – 1:35.98

Morse/Rector/Hargrove/Jackson – 4^th – 1:39.42

McDowell/O’Sullivan/Pawlak/Rashed – 5^th – 1:40.78

Tavrovsky/Montano/Ulewicz/Pruett – 6^th – 1:42.18

Women’s 1000-Free

Hannah Krings – 6^th – 11:34.03

Men’s 1000-Free

Joseph Capo – 3^rd – 9:52.23

Bryce Ryan – 5^th – 10:22.01

Women’s 200-Free

Mia Pesavento – 8^th – 2:01.03 – FIRST RACE IN EVENT

Delaney Miller – 9^th – 2:04.42

Men’s 200-Free

Tyler Jackson – 4^th – 1:46.17

Carter Bolling – 5^th – 1:47.49

Joao Guilherme – 6^th – 1:48.72 – PERSONAL BEST

Luke Cook – 7^th – 1:50.29

Women’s 100-Backstroke

Ane Madina – 8^th – 1:00.26

Jadyn Dauphinais – 9^th – 1:00.57 – FIRST RACE IN EVENT

Jaley Hamilton – 10^th – 1:03.51

Luana Carrotta – 11^th – 1:04.92

Jillian Giese – 1:01.60

Men’s 100-Backstroke

Logan Tenison - 2^nd – 50.64

Ben Morse – 7^th – 55.35

Boris Tavrovsky – 8^th – 56.86

Women’s 100-Breaststroke

Claire Mewbourne – 8^th – 1:09.55

Rafaela Markarewicz – 10^th – 1:12.15

Tristen Thomas – 11^th – 1:12.81

Men’s 100-Breaststroke

Trevor O’Sullivan – 3^rd – 1:01.84

Jesse Montano – 4^th – 1:01.94

Chris Rector – 5^th – 1:02.14

Robert Hargrove – 6^th – 1:02.36

Men’s 200-Fly

Adam Pawlak – 3^rd – 1:58.77

Wyatt Gallas – 4^th – 2:01.05

Alex Willis – 6^th – 2:04.92

Women’s 50-Free

Evelyn Chin – 9^th – 25.14

Grace Moody – 10^th – 25.32

Amanda Denny – 12^th – 26.57

Men’s 50-Free

Michael Pruett – 3^rd – 21.59

Brendan Ulewicz – 5^th – 22.12

Mohammed Rashed – 6^th – 22.83

Women’s 1-Meter Dive

Eden McRoberts – 6^th – 202.15 – PERSONAL BEST

Leah Gardner – 8^th – 187.85

Men’s 1-Meter Dive

Levi McKinney – 2^nd – 335.80 – SCHOOL RECORD/NCAA ZONE QUALIFIER

Gabe Lett – 5^th – 169.70 – PERSONAL BEST

Women’s 100-Free

Ane Madina – 10^th – 55.83

Jillian Giese – 11^th – 57.58 – FIRST RACE IN EVENT

Luana Carrotta – 12^th – 1:00.01 – FIRST RACE IN EVENT

Men’s 100-Free

Michael Pruett – 4^th – 47.08

Harry McDowell – 5^th – 49.67

Ben Morse – 7^th – 51.27

Mohammed Rashed – 8^th – 53.10

Women’s 200-Backstroke

Grace Moody – 9^th – 2:13.49

Jaley Hamilton – 10^th – 2:20.39

Men’s 200-Backstroke

Logan Tenison – 1^st – 1:52.43

Boris Tavrovsky – 4^th – 2:05.59

Women’s 200-Breaststroke

Claire Mewbourne – 9^th – 2:30.87

Rafaela Markarewicz – 10^th – 2:37.55

Tristen Thomas – 11^th – 2:47.84

Men’s 200-Breaststroke

Joao Guilherme – 3^rd – 2:16.07

Jesse Montano – 5^th – 2:20.12

Women’s 500-Free

Hannah Krings – 8^th – 5:39.45

Audrey Wandling – 9^th – 5:49.14

Lilly Yancey – 10^th – 5:53.13

Men’s 500-Free

Joseph Capo – 5^th – 4:46.55

Carter Bolling – 7^th – 4:57.57

Wyatt Gallas – 8^th – 4:58.15

Luke Cook – 9^th – 5:00.09

Women’s 100-Fly

Evelyn Chin – 8^th – 58.44

Jadyn Dauphinais – 9^th – 59.16 – PERSONAL BEST

Mia Pesavento – 10^th – 1:00.25

Amanda Denny – 12^th – 1:03.24

Men’s 100-Fly

Adam Pawlak – 5^th – 52.89

Alex Willis – 6^th – 53.45

Brendan Ulewicz – 8^th – 54.03

Bryce Ryan – 9^th – 55.11

Women’s 3-Meter Dive

Eden McRoberts – 6^th – 201.10

Leah Gardner – 7^th – 193.35

Men’s 3-Meter Dive

Levi McKinney – 1^st – 329.05

Gabe Lett – 5^th – 177.70 – PERSONAL BEST

Women’s 200-IM

Jillian Giese – 10^th – 2:18.52

Men’s 200-IM

Tyler Jackson – 3^rd – 2:00.19 – FIRST RACE IN EVENT

Chris Rector – 4^th – 2:01.59

Robert Hargrove – 5^th – 2:09.78

Women’s 200 Free Relay

Moody/Dauphinais/Chin/Madina – 7^th – 1:40.02

Pesavento/Hamilton/Denny/Miller – 8^th – 1:44.62

Men’s 200 Free Relay

Pruett/Ulewicz/Willis/Tenison – 3^rd – 1:25.56

Rashed/Morse/McDowell/McCall – 5^th – 1:29.05

Pawlak/Gallas/Montano/Capo – 6^th – 1:30.35

NORMAL, Ill. – The University of Evansville women's basketball team hung around with hosts Illinois State on Sunday, but the Redbirds outlasted the Aces by a score of 82-71 at CEFCU Arena.

Four Aces scored in double figures, matching a season high. Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) led Evansville in scoring for the fifth consecutive game, putting up 17 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Georgia Cox (Ballarat, Australia/Eastern Illinois) posted her first career double-double, matching a season-high with 11 points and pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Jelena Savic (Melbourne, Australia/Kurunjang Secondary College) enjoyed a career day, scoring a season high 14 points while shooting 4-for-5 from three. Savic also grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists while playing a season-high 28 minutes. Fellow freshman Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) scored in double figures for the second game in a row with 11 points.

Illinois State jumped out to an early lead, taking a 15-5 lead at the 4:56 mark in the first quarter. Evansville cut into the deficit in the final five minutes of the period, with Savic knocking down a jumper and a three-pointer to cap the quarter with the Redbirds in front 21-16.  

The Aces continued to chip away in the second quarter, as another triple from Savic made it a two-point game at the 5:53 mark. However, the Redbirds responded with an 8-0 to regain a 10-point lead. Evansville would not go away, with freshmen Huber, BreAunna Ward (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) and Savic combining for an 8-0 of their own to cut it back to two before Illinois State closed the half going 4-for-4 at the free throw line to take a 39-33 lead into the break.

Illinois State pushed the lead back up to 10 in the opening minutes of the third quarter, but again, the Aces fought back. Huber connected on another big three to jumpstart the run before a pair of free throws by Runner and a left-handed finish by Cox made it a one-possession game once again. The game of runs would continue, though, with the Redbirds outscoring the Aces 17-9 in the remainder of the quarter to take an 11-point advantage to the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Redbirds were finally able to break the game open, growing the lead to 18 with 4:39 to go before closing out a 82-71 win.

Evansville returns home to Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Friday night for a match-up with UIC. Tip-off is set for 6 PM.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Four players reached double figures on Saturday as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team picked up its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season taking down Indiana State by a final score of 72-69 inside the Hulman Center.

Leif Moeller and AJ Casey scored 17 points apiece to lead the Purple Aces. Josh Hughes scored 14 while Alex Hemenway scored 12. Moeller approached a triple-double with eight assists and eight boards, both team bests. Three Sycamores scored in double digits with Ian Scott leading the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds. With the win, UE picked up its second consecutive road win over ISU for the first time since 2006-07.

“Our guys did a great job down the stretch; Leif made some huge shots in the final minutes. We did a better job of shooting the ball and finishing the job,” UE head men’s basketball coach David Ragland said. “Everyone on the floor made big plays that helped us. It was a game of runs by both teams, but we were able to go up by six in the final minute. The finish was crazy but it is good to be on the winning side.”

Thirteen lead changes took place in the first half with Indiana State taking a 38-35 lead into the break. Leif Moeller hit a 3-pointer to get UE on the board while the Sycamores took their first lead at 4-3. Two baskets by AJ Casey solidified a 9-6 UE lead just over five minutes into the game before ISU countered with six in a row to go up 12-9.

Inside the 12-minute mark, a triple by Sterling Young gave ISU its largest lead of the period at 16-11. Evansville rallied with seven in a row to retake an 18-16 lead with 7:56 left in the half. Josh Hughes hit a triple while James Dyson-Merwe and Casey added field goals. Over the next five minutes, the squads swapped the lead numerous times as the score remained within a possession.

That changed with 2:51 on the clock when Camp Wagner knocked down a triple to put ISU up 34-30. Inside the final minute, the Sycamores took a 38-33 lead before Moeller found Hughes for a basket at the buzzer to make it a 3-point game at the break.  Casey led the Aces with nine points in the first half. Ian Scott came close to a double-double in the opening 20 minutes with 10 points and eight caroms.

Hughes hit a triple in the opening minute to the game, however, ISU pushed the lead back to four points (42-38). With the Sycamores up 43-41, Evansville reeled off seven in a row to take its largest lead to that point at 48-43. The Aces hit four baskets in a row including a triple by Trent Hundley that gave UE the lead.

With 10:24 remaining, Indiana State retook a 51-50 edge on a triple while Moeller quickly put UE back on top on the other end. Hemenway added another 3-pointer to extend the lead to 57-53 inside of eight minutes remaining. UE would continue to hold the lead until a rally inside the final three minutes.

Two free throws gave ISU a 66-65 edge with 2:06 on the clock. Moeller quickly struck on the other end, draining his third triple of the afternoon to put the lead right back in the Aces hands. Following a pair of missed shots by Indiana State, AJ Casey hit a jumper that gave UE a 70-66 edge with 49 ticks remaining. Casey added a dunk that pushed the lead to six.

Indiana State knocked down a triple in the final seconds to cut the deficit to three and forced a UE turnover to regain possession with just 0.2 left. A final 3-point try fell short as UE picked up the victory. For the second game in a row, UE shot 50% from the field, finishing 29-of-58. ISU shot 39.4%. The Sycamores outrebounded the Aces by a 41-31 tally.

UE is right back home on Tuesday to complete the season series against Bradley. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at the Ford Center.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Another road game is on the docket for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team as they travel to Indiana State for a 12 p.m. CST game on Saturday. ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.

Last Time Out

- Evansville made several rallies on Wednesday before falling to Murray State by a final score of 79-69 at the Ford Center

- AJ Casey reset his career scoring high with 24 points on a 10-of-13 shooting effort

- Josh Hughes finished with 14 points while Bryce Quinet added 13

Another Reset

- For the second time in four games, AJ Casey reset his career scoring high with 24 points against the Racers

- Casey hit 10 of his 13 field goal tries to eclipse he previous scoring high of 21, which came at Bradley on Dec. 29

- Over his last five games, Casey is shooting 71.1% from the field and 40.0% from outside

- Casey is averaging a team-high 15.7 PPG in MVC games while shooting 63.8%; for the season, Casey has posted 10.6 PPG

- Casey now has nine double digit games on the season including 5 of the last 6 games

- He picked up three steals in the first two MVC games and is 10th in the league with his season average of 1.29/game

On a Streak

- Bryce Quinet has reached double figures in four out of his first six MVC games

- After recording 10 in the opener versus Belmont, he had 11 at Bradley before scoring a team-high 13 points at Illinois State

- He added 13 points versus Murray State while hitting five field goals and dishing out four assists

- Quinet is 16-for-34 from the field in the last four games and has connected on four of his six 3-point tries

- The performance against Belmont was his first double digit game since posting 10 vs. Akron on Nov. 22

Scouting the Opponent

- Indiana State comes into Saturday’s game with an 8-8 record while going 1-4 through their opening five league outings

- ISU is 6-1 inside the Hulman Center this season with the only loss being to Bradley in triple overtime

- Ian Scott paces the Sycamores with 13.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game

- Scott is shooting 63.7% from the field and 46.4% from long range

- Camp Wagner holds a scoring average of 12.8 PPG

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Friday’s meet against UIC saw the University of Evansville Swimming and Diving Teams recognize four seniors prior to the meet. Evelyn Chin, Hannah Krings, Mia Pesavento, and Mohammed Rashed competed in their final regular season home meet at Deaconess Aquatic Center.

Once competition began, several notable performances highlighted the day for the Purple Aces. Leading the way was Levi McKinney who reset his own program record in the 3-meter dive with a score of 336.83. His previous mark of 320.65 was set in December. Both scores qualified him for the NCAA Zones.

The men opened the day with a victory in the 200-medley relay with a time of 1:33.72 while the ladies took second in their event posting a 1:48.04. They were just 0.20 off the winning time. Logan Tenison was victorious in the 50-free, posting a 21.41 to best teammate Sammy McCall’s finish of 21.56. In the 100-free, Michael Pruett came in nearly a second ahead of the competition.

Highlighting the day for the women were multiple runner-up efforts. Jillian Giese swam a 2:14.77 in the 200-IM on the way to second-place. Claire Mewbourne added a runner-up finish in the 200-breaststroke with a 2:29.57. The men fell to the Flames by a final of 150.00-93.00 while the women dropped a 183.00-55.00 final.

FULL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Women’s 1000-Free

Hannah Krings – 3^rd – 11:32.74

Men’s 1000-Free

Wyatt Gallas – 3^rd – 10:01.98 – PERSONAL BEST

Tyler Jackson – 4^th – 10:08.13

Carter Bolling – 5^th – 10:25.29

Women’s 200-Free

Jadyn Dauphinais – 3^rd – 2:02.13 – 1^st RACE IN EVENT

Luana Carrotta – 4^th – 2:04.54

Ane Madina Garate – 5^th – 2:05.02 – 1^st RACE IN EVENT

Audrey Wandling – 6^th – 2:08.76

Lilly Yancey – 7^th – 2:10.17

Men’s 200-Free

Joseph Capo – 3^rd – 1:43.35

Harry McDowell – 5^th – 1:47.95

Luke Cook – 6^th – 1:50.94

Women’s 50-Free

Jaley Hamilton – 5^th – 26.23

Delaney Miller – 6^th – 26.49

Rafaela Markarewicz – 7^th – 26.52

Amanda Denny – 8^th – 26.61

Tristen Thomas – 9^th – 27.00

Men’s 50-Free

Logan Tenison – 1^st – 21.41

Sammy McCall – 2^nd – 21.56

Brendan Ulewicz – 4^th – 21.99

Mohammed Rashed – 6^th – 22.31

Ben Morse – 7^th – 22.77

Women’s 200-IM

Jillian Giese – 2^nd – 2:14.77

Claire Mewbourne – 3^rd – 2:15.97

Men’s 200-IM

Joao Guilherme – 3^rd – 2:04.71

Chris Rector – 4^th – 2:06.72

Robert Hargrove – 5^th – 2:08.16

Women’s 1-Meter Dive

Leah Gardner – 6^th – 199.98

Eden McRoberts – 7^th – 188.70

Men’s 1-Meter Dive

Levi McKinney – 3^rd – 276.08

Gabe Lett – 6^th – 166.05

Women’s 200-Fly

Mia Pesavento – 4^th – 2:28.12 – 1^st RACE IN EVENT

Evelyn Chin – 5^th – 2:28.58

Men’s 200-Fly

Adam Pawlak – 2^nd – 1:58.76

Alex Willis – 3^rd – 2:02.83

Wyatt Gallas – 5^th – 2:07.90

Women’s 100-Free

Jadyn Dauphinais – 3^rd – 55.33 – 1^st RACE IN EVENT

Jillian Giese – 4^th – 56.52 – 1^st RACE IN EVENT

Delaney Miller – 5^th – 57.95

Amanda Denny – 6^th – 58.17

Men’s 100-Free

Michael Pruett – 1^st – 46.33

Sammy McCall – 3^rd – 47.84

Tyler Jackson – 4^th – 48.87

Mohammed Rashed – 6^th – 52.16

Jesse Montano – 7^th – 52.49 – 1^st RACE IN EVENT

Women’s 200-Back

Grace Moody – 5^th – 2:13.98

Jaley Hamilton – 6^th – 2:19.60

Men’s 200-Back

Logan Tenison – 2^nd – 1:50.98

Boris Tavrovsky – 4^th – 2:02.75

Carter Bolling – 5^th – 2:04.96

Women’s 500-Free

Luana Carrotta – 3^rd – 5:36.09

Hannah Krings – 4^th – 5:37.27

Men’s 500-Free

Joseph Capo – 3^rd – 4:45.82

Luke Cook – 5^th – 5:04.39

Women’s 3-Meter Dive

Eden McRoberts – 5^th – 196.13 – PERSONAL BEST

Leah Gardner – 6^th – 192.30

Men’s 3-Meter Dive

Levi McKinney – 2^nd – 336.83 – SCHOOL RECORD/NCAA ZONE QUALIFIER

Gabe Lett – 6^th – 167.25 – PERSONAL BEST

Women’s 200-Breaststroke

Claire Mewbourne – 2^nd – 2:29.57

Rafaela Markarewicz – 4^th – 2:39.27

Tristen Thomas – 5^th – 2:43.95

Men’s 200-Breaststroke

Joao Guilherme – 4^th – 2:16.10

Jesse Montano – 5^th – 2:19.03

Robert Hargrove – 6^th – 2:19.55

Chris Rector – 7^th – 2:22.68

Trevor O’Sullivan – 8^th – 2:27.13

CHICAGO – University of Evansville volleyball commit Wren Jones earned a prestigious honor today as she was announced as the 2025-26 Gatorade Arkansas Volleyball Player of the Year following her final season at Conway High School.

Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community. The award recognizes Jones as Arkansas’ best high school volleyball player, and she joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, such as Kerri Walsh Jennings (1995-96, Archbishop Mitty High School, CA), April Ross (1999-00, Newport Harbor High School, CA) and Campbell Flynn (2024-25, Mercy High School, MI).

"Winning a Gatorade Player of the Year award puts Wren in elite company, and we couldn't be prouder of her,” University of Evansville head volleyball coach Zach Weinberg said. “Winning this award goes beyond what she does on the court; it highlights her academics, her service to her community, and most importantly, her exemplary character. Wren is a phenomenal volleyball player, but an even better human being, and we couldn't be happier that she is an Ace!"

The 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter led the Wampus Cats to a 30-5 record and the Class 6A state championship this past season. Jones compiled 543 kills and 252 digs, including 25 kills and 16 digs in a 3-1 win over Fayetteville High School in the state final. Jones also recorded 51 service aces and 36 blocks while posting a .451 kill percentage. The MVP of the Class 6A state championship match, she concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,228 kills.

Jones has volunteered locally with Community Connections, a nonprofit that works with special needs children. She has also donated her time as a youth volleyball coach and as part of multiple community service initiatives through her church youth group.

Jones has maintained a weighted 3.29 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play volleyball at the University of Evansville this fall.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On Friday afternoon, the University of Evansville swimming and diving teams will hold Senior Day recognition when the squads take on UIC at Deaconess Aquatic Center. Senior Day festivities begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. with the meet set to commence at 1 p.m. There is no charge to attend the meet.

Four Purple Aces seniors will be recognized on Friday including Mia Pesavento, Hannah Krings, Evelyn Chin, and Mohammed Rashed.

Evansville last competed at the A3 Invite in November with both the men’s and women’s squads earning 4^th-place finishes. There were multiple highlights from the final day of the meet. The personal bests keep coming, Harry McDowell saw personal bests in the 100 Free and 50 Free (Time Trial), with a 48.46 and 21.83. Sophomore Delaney Miller swam a 54.71 in the 100 Free, and freshmen Robert Hargrove swam a 2:10.80 200 Breast.
 
In the A Final of the 1650 Free Joseph Capo was 7^th for the Ace's with a final time of 16:18.65. In the morning, freshmen Bryce Ryan and Luke Cook placed 9^th and 12^th with Cook having a personal best time best of 16:53.47. In the 200 Back Jaley Hamilton placed 11^th, her 2:09.20 being a personal best time. Teammate Luana Carrotta swam a season best 2:10.62 for 14^th. In the morning Captain Boris Tavrosky swam a season best 1:55.25 for 12^th. Freshmen Carter Bolling has a personal best time of 1:58.07, another great performance.
 
Grace Moody was the highest finisher for the Ace's in the 100 Free, her 51.84 earned her 5^th place. In the B Final Evelyn Chin placed 12^th for the Ace's her 52.92 being a personal best for the junior. Senior Mia Pesavento won the C Final by almost a full second, her time was a 53.68.
 
The Men's 100 Free saw A Finalist Sammy McCall swim a morning time of 45.94 the fastest time of the Aces this season. In the B Final Michael Pruett swam a 46.24 a solid swim from the junior. In the D Final, freshmen Tyler Jackson won the heat with a 47.90, with teammate Brendan Ulewicz placing just behind Jackson with a 48.19.

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team won their second game in a row on Thursday night, taking down Southern Illinois in Carbondale by a score of 75-70. The win was Evansville’s first in Carbondale since February 17, 2017 and snapped a 28 game road losing streak.

Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) continued her torrid stretch with 26 points, leading all scorers, while adding six rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. The sophomore scored 20 points in the second half, including 12 in the fourth quarter. Runner has scored 20-plus points in three of the last four games and sunk a season-high 13 free throws on 14 attempts. Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) added 15 points, two shy of her career-high, while fellow freshman Georgia Ferguson (Waterloo, Ontario/Cairine Wilson Secondary School) added 10 points to match her career-high.

The game was competitive from the jump, with the Aces and Salukis trading blows throughout the first quarter. Evansville grabbed their first lead of the night at 9-7 with an and-one from Mireia Mustaros (Barcelona, Spain/Ins Argentona). The two sides continued to go back and forth, as the score would become tied five times in the next five minutes, before the Salukis pulled ahead with a 21-19 lead at the end of the quarter.

Evansville regained the lead at the 8:33 mark of the second quarter on a three-pointer from Huber, but the Salukis quickly took the lead back with a 9-0 run. Facing their largest deficit of the game at 32-24, the Aces stormed back, scoring eight unanswered points to tie it at 32. The run was punctuated by another and-one, this time from Ferguson. SIU woud respond, however, scoring the final four points of the half to take a 36-32 lead into the break.

The Salukis remained in front for most of the third quarter, but the Aces made a run late in the period on consecutive baskets by Ferguson, Huber, and Jelena Savic (Melbourne, Australia/Kurunjang Secondary College) to retake the lead at 52-49 before ending the quarter with a 5-51 advantage.

Once again, the teams traded punches in the fourth quarter, with SIU taking a 59-58 lead at the 6:14 mark. Georgia Cox (Ballarat, Australia/Eastern Illinois) gave the Aces the lead back with a tough left-handed finish at the rim, while a three from Runner after a Saluki basket made it 63-61.

With the score all tied up at 67 with 3:05 remaining, Runner took over, beating the shot clock on a baseline out of bounds play to before finding Logan Luebbers Palmer (Union, Ky./Randall K. Cooper) in transition for a tough finish in traffic to give the Aces a 71-64 lead. Needing to hit her free throws to seal it, Runner went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line down the stretch to lead Evansville to a 75-70 win.

Evansville remains on the road this weekend, looking to win their third game in a row with a trip to Illinois State on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – AJ Casey reset his career scoring mark as he finished with 24 points on Wednesday evening to lead the University of Evansville men’s basketball team in a 79-69 loss to Murray State at the Ford Center.

Another efficient shooting effort saw Casey go 10-of-13 from the floor while adding a triple and five boards. He is the first UE player this season to record 10 field goals in a game. Josh Hughes scored 14 points while Bryce Quinet added 13. James Dyson-Merwe led the team with six boards while Leif Moeller added five assists.

"Our effort tonight was really good. We did a nice job of executing our game plan especially in the first half,” UE head coach David Ragland said. “They finished the first half on a 12-0 run, but I am proud of how we fought back throughout the second half. Towards the end of the game, we had a few guys in foul trouble and Murray State was able to rotate guys in and that made a difference. Our group left everything out on the floor tonight and played for one another.”

Murray State hit its first three shots to take a 6-2 advantage. AJ Casey had a nice start for the Purple Aces scoring his team’s opening seven tallies as MSU held an 8-7 edge just over two minutes in. Bryce Quinet’s 3-point play put Evansville in front for the first time at 10-8 as UE would lead throughout the middle portion of the half.

Trent Hundley’s layup solidified a 14-11 edge at the 12:25 mark before two Quinet free throws with 8:17 left in the period gave UE its largest lead of the half at 20-16. Evansville’s defense held the Racers to 2-for-10 over the stretch as UE wrestled away the two-possession advantage.

The Racers stormed back with nine in a row to retake a 25-20 lead entering the final six minutes of the period, however, the Aces answered ones again when James Dyson-Merwe tied the game at 30-30 with 2:50 remaining until the break. Murray State regained control in the final moments, outscoring UE by a 12-0 margin to take a 42-30 lead into halftime. MSU drained their final four shots, including a pair of triples, to take the double-digit advantage.

Josh Hughes and Casey posted the first two field goals of the second half to quickly cut the deficit to eight. With MSU up 45-35, UE got even closer when Dyson-Merwe and Quinet converted back-to-back buckets to make it a 45-39 game inside of the 17-minute mark. Following a Racer score, the Aces continued to fight back with AJ Casey doing the damage. Six in a row by the senior got his squad all the way back within two points (47-45) with 14:56 on the clock. Casey’s efforts capped a 15-5 start to the stanza by the Purple Aces.

Holding onto a 49-47 edge, Murray State slowly added to its lead with a pair of free throws at the 10:30 mark that pushed the lead to 58-51. The Aces refused to give in and continued to claw their way back. Six in a row over the next 1:16 made it a 1-point game. Alex Hemenway got things rolling with a jumper while Kaia Berridge found Hughes for the alley-oop before Quinet completed the stretch with a layup.

UE remained within a possession over the next two minutes before the Racers slowly took control. A triple by JJ Traynor pushed the lead back to seven (68-61) with 6:37 left before a jumper gave MSU a 74-63 edge as the game entered its final three minutes. In total, the Racers outscored UE by a 16-4 margin to take their largest lead of 14 points as they turned a 63-61 lead into a 79-65 advantage. They held UE to 2-of-9 from the field while forcing a pair of turnovers.

A pair of late baskets closed the gap in the final moments as the Racers finished the night with a 79-69 victory. Evansville shot a season-high 50.9% while holding the Racers to 45.8%. The Racers connected on seven triples while UE was 1-for-12 from long distance. MSU also finished with a 36-32 rebounding advantage.

On Saturday, the Aces travel to Indiana State for a 12 p.m. CST game against the Sycamores inside the Hulman Center.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A challenging slate awaits the University of Evansville softball team in 2026. New Purple Aces head coach Bailey Dillender has put together a non-conference schedule that includes four reigning conference champions to prepare her squad for the Missouri Valley Conference.

“We are excited for the opportunities this season presents for Aces softball,” Dillender said. “I am excited to get started and for our team to have the opportunity to compete. I believe our non-conference slate came together nicely to help us prepare for Missouri Valley play starting in March.”

Action officially begins on February 6 when UE travels to Macon, Ga. for the Heart of Georgia Classic. Reigning Big South Tournament Champion Mercer is hosting the tournament. The Bears won 40 games last season while advancing to the finals at the Gainesville Regional. Evansville faces the Bears in two games while facing Maine in two contests and North Carolina A&T in one match-up.

Non-conference play continues Feb. 13 at the 901 Classic in Memphis, Tenn. Hosted by the University of Memphis, UE will face five opponents that weekend including the Tigers, Miami Ohio, USI, Ball State, and Kansas City. The RedHawks are the defending Mid-American Conference Tournament champions where they played in the Knoxville Regional and earned a victory over North Carolina.

Another big weekend is on tap on Feb. 21 when the Aces travel to Conway, Ark. UE will face Central Arkansas twice while taking on Southeastern Louisiana and Saint Louis once. The Lions of Southeastern Louisiana won 50 games in 2025 on the way to the Southland Conference Championship. At the Baton Rouge Regional, the Lions earned two victories over 10^th-ranked LSU. The Billikens were the Atlantic 10 Tournament Champs a season ago and advanced to the Fayetteville Regional. In its final non-conference weekend trip, UE travels to North Alabama for three games. UNA is coming off a 30-win season.

Following a trip to Butler on March 4, the Aces take to the field at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium for the first time on March 6 to open MVC action against Illinois State. League weekends in 2026 will generally consist of a Friday doubleheader and a single game on Saturday. After traveling to Louisville for a single game on March 10, Evansville opens a series at defending MVC Tournament Champion Belmont on the 13^th.

Home action continues March 17 with a doubleheader against Indiana State before Murray State comes to town a 3-game set beginning on March 20. UE completes the month with a road trip to Drake. The month of April opens with four home games including a single contest versus Bellarmine on April 1. On the 3^rd, UE opens a 3-game series versus UNI. Evansville travels to Southern Illinois on the 7^th for a doubleheader then returns home for non-conference games versus SEMO (4/14) and Western Kentucky (4/15).

The final eight games of the month will be on the road starting with three games at Bradley on April 17-18. UE travels to Northern Kentucky on the 21^st before trekking to UIC for a series on the 24^th and 25^th. On April 29, Evansville travels to Indiana University for a single contest.

UE welcomes Valparaiso for the final weekend of the regular season on May 1-2. The 2026 MVC Championship is set to run from May 6-9 in Carbondale, Ill.

The University of Evansville (UE) is grateful to announce a $50,000 gift from alumna Kristin Bailey '81, establishing the James '79 and Kristin '81 Bailey Endowed Scholarship to celebrate the enduring connection Kris and her late husband, Jim Bailey, shared with UE.

The endowed fund will support undergraduate students in the College of Education and Health Sciences, helping them pursue meaningful careers in fields that reflect the Baileys' lifelong dedication to service.

For Kris, the scholarship is a heartfelt tribute to both her husband's life of service and the education that shaped their shared journey.

"UE has always been near and dear to our hearts," she said. "It's where we met. We served on several committees together, including student government and Union Board. We got to know each other through those experiences, and many of the friendships we made then have lasted to this day."

A 1981 nursing graduate, Bailey served as a registered nurse in both teaching and community hospital settings, and in private practice. She credits UE's nursing program with preparing her for a lifetime of compassionate care.

"We were taught critical thinking skills and given a broad base of clinical understanding," she said. "Our instructors were fabulous, both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Over the years, I've compared what I received at Evansville to other programs I've encountered, and I continue to hold UE among the very best."

She added, "There's such a need for advancement in education and health sciences. Our healthcare system is growing so quickly, and we need well-educated people to provide those services. I know that pursuing an education requires tremendous dedication and sacrifice, and I hope this scholarship can help open doors and create opportunities for students who are working toward their dreams."

Jim Bailey, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from UE in 1979 and later an MBA from the University of Dallas, dedicated his life to serving others. He built a respected career as a funeral director in Portage, Indiana, and served his community through the Rotary Club, the Orak Shrine Center, and the Masonic Lodge.

"Jim served our community in so many ways," Kris shared. "He was very active in Rotary and the Shrine, and we both believed deeply in using our lives to serve others. I am confident he'd be thrilled to know that UE students will benefit from this scholarship."

Kris also reflected on the values instilled at UE that continue to guide her life. "Even back then, there was an underlying intention for service," she said. "We were taught that the world exists beyond our own little bubble and that we have a responsibility to make it better. That's always stayed with me."

Bailey hopes this scholarship will inspire other alumni to give back. "I just think if you can, you should," she said. "If you've been blessed by your education and your experiences at UE, then pass it along. Even a small amount can make a difference for a student who needs a little help."

"This gift from the Baileys will make a remarkable difference in the College of Education and Health Sciences," said Dr. Andy Lampkins, dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences. "Their generosity strengthens our program's ability to expand opportunities for students to learn, lead, and serve. Their gift will prepare future professionals who will carry forward the compassion and dedication that have defined the Baileys' lives."

Each graduate who benefits from this scholarship will carry their spirit of compassion, service, and courage into the world, continuing the example that Kris and Jim set at UE.

The University of Evansville (UE) is building on the rapid momentum of its Esports program with the appointment of Ethan Jaworski '24 as Head Esports Coach & Coordinator.

Jaworski officially joined the program in July 2025, just months after leading UE's Overwatch 2 team to the program's first-ever NECC Regional Championship and National Championship as a student-athlete.

A December 2024 graduate with a bachelor's degree in Sports Communication, Jaworski brings a unique perspective as both a recent alumnus and championship team captain. His return marks a full-circle moment for a program that has quickly emerged as a competitive force on the national collegiate esports stage.

"This program gave me opportunities I never imagined when I arrived at UE as a student," Jaworski said. "To return as head coach and help guide the next generation of Aces, both competitively and professionally, is incredibly meaningful. We've built a strong foundation, and now the focus is sustaining excellence, expanding opportunities for our players, and continuing to raise the national profile of UE Esports."

Under Jaworski's leadership and momentum from the 2024-25 season, UE Esports continues to demonstrate sustained success across multiple titles. During the fall 2025 semester, both the Overwatch 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate teams completed undefeated regular seasons. The Overwatch 2 team advanced to the Regional Championship finals, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reached the semifinal round of the Regional Playoffs.

The Overwatch 2 team also achieved a significant visibility milestone this fall, earning its first feature on the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Twitch broadcast during its semifinal victory, an indicator of UE Esports' growing national recognition.

Beyond competition, UE Esports is investing in experiential learning and student development. The program recently launched its official Twitch streaming platform, featuring live commentary provided by players and coaches to create a more immersive and accessible viewing experience. Plans are underway to further professionalize broadcasts with upgraded equipment, a dedicated commentary booth, custom graphics and transitions, and a student stream producer role.

These enhancements will also create hands-on learning opportunities through partnerships with UE's Creative Technologies program, connecting classroom learning with real-world experience in broadcasting, production, and digital media.