The University of Evansville main campus will remain closed Monday, January 26, 2026 due to a declared State of Emergency in Vanderburgh County and significant ongoing winter weather impacts. All buildings will be locked; swipe card access will be available only at the Ridgway University Center. The UE Emily M. Young Mental Health Clinic will also be closed.

CLASSES: Classes are canceled, but faculty may use discretion in moving in-person classes to an online format.

DINING: Ridgway Dining will remain open, though menu options and hours may be adjusted based on staffing availability. Any schedule changes will be communicated directly to on-campus residents via email, UE Residence Life social media, and posted signage on the first floor of Ridgway.

EMPLOYEES: Campus is closed. Only essential personnel in the Offices of Public Safety and Facilities should report to campus. All other employees should not report to work unless instructed by their supervisor. Employees who are able to work remotely should plan to attend meetings virtually. Please contact your supervisor with any questions.

EVENTS: All on-campus events and activities are cancelled. Planned admission events will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

ATHLETICS: For in-season sports, teams must work closely with their coach or sport administrator regarding what activities are permissible. Final decisions will be made by the sport administrator in coordination with the Athletics Director. Please be aware that some support areas may be unable to reach campus safely.

More information and updates: https://www.evansville.edu/campus/emergency-information.cfm

The University of Evansville has received formal reaffirmation of accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), extending our accreditation through the 2035–36 academic year. The University will continue on the Open Pathway and will complete a mid-cycle quality initiative focused on student success during Years 1–4 of the cycle.

This is a significant milestone for our institution and a direct reflection of your dedication and commitment to our mission. The HLC review is a comprehensive process, and the work completed across every area of the university demonstrated the strength of our academic programs, operations, and community — and is the reason for this successful reaffirmation.

A special note of appreciation goes to the HLC Steering Committee for their outstanding leadership and persistence throughout this process. This was no small undertaking, and their efforts made an enormous difference in guiding UE to this successful outcome.

Thank you for the role each of you played in this achievement. Please take a moment to celebrate this well-earned recognition.

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.

a Big Game Menu specifically designed for Super Bowl watch parties at the University of Evansville. The graphic uses bold football-themed visuals and clearly lists a variety of shareable, crowd-pleasing food options. These include veggie and fruit trays with dips, pretzel bites with beer cheese and spicy mustard, buffalo chicken dip, jalapeño popper dip, BBQ meatballs, wings with multiple sauce choices, sliders, pizzas, and dessert options like cookies and brownies. Most items are portioned to feed groups, with prices listed per item or by the dozen.

The post highlights a deal offering a free dozen cookies on orders over $150, adding extra value for larger group orders. Students are encouraged to pre-order by February 5th, pay using AceBucks, and pick up their food at Ace’s Place on February 8th. The caption reinforces the convenience and reliability of the menu, assuring students that their Super Bowl snacks are completely taken care of.

The University of Evansville Theatre is pleased to offer a special Chicago theatre experience featuring STEREOPHONIC—the most Tony Award–nominated play of all time and the most Tony Award–winning show of 2024.

The performance will take place on Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. in Chicago. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience one of the most celebrated productions in Broadway history while enjoying a weekend in the city.

Guests may register for an exclusive weekend package that includes a two-night stay at the historic Palmer House (Friday–Sunday), a ticket to the Saturday matinee performance, and a post-show reception with University of Evansville Theatre alumni. Hosted at the Palmer House, the alumni reception will bring together UE Theatre graduates, students, faculty, and supporters for an evening of connection, conversation, and community in the heart of Chicago’s theatre scene.

Pricing for the weekend package is $850 per couple or $675 per individual.

For those who would like to attend the performance without staying at the Palmer House, individual tickets are available for $135. Ticket holders are also welcome to attend the alumni reception.

This experience offers a unique blend of world-class theatre, community connection, and cultural engagement in one of the nation’s premier theatre cities.

For additional details or to reserve a package or ticket, please contact Wes Grantom at GG23@evansville.edu

Avian Natural History is being offered at Harlaxton this summer! The study of birds provides one of the most engaging and rewarding ways to build a relationship with the natural world around us, having inspired biologists, psychologists, historians, poets, artists, and playwrights among many others. This course provides a basic introduction to the natural history of birds for non-science majors as well as for biology or ES majors. Topics include the evolution, morphology, behavior, reproduction, ecology, and conservation of birds. The course includes field trips that will concentrate on avian ecology and identification. Email Dr. Scott Kimball (skimball@bakerU.edu) for more info.

As we approach renewal for The Chronicle of Higher Education, we are reviewing how well our hiring platforms are working for the University. Before making any decisions, we would appreciate your quick feedback on your experience as a hiring manager over the past year.

Please take a few minutes to complete the brief survey below. Your input will help guide next steps.

[Survey Link]

Office of Human Resources

David Green of the Department of History, Politics and Social Change, and Harlaxton College has contributed an essay to The Cambridge Companion to Late Medieval English Kingship, published by Cambridge University Press. The essay explores the reigns and reputations of England's rulers in the fourteenth century.

RA Applications open on January 14th and close on January 30th. To apply, please visit evansville.erezlife.com. Any questions can be directed to Teddy DeCorrevont (kt194@evansville.edu)

Don't miss this chance to go on this short-term international experience in May! Join the Schroeder School of Business on this 10-day trip to Harlaxton, Leicester, Derby, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and London and earn academic credit while traveling and learning abroad. These trips are best if you are unable to travel to Harlaxton for the longer full semester trips.    For School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS) students, this course may count as a free elective (note: not all SECS programs include free electives). Students outside the School of Business and SECS should consult their program advisor to confirm how this course can fit into their degree plan. Trip Details:

• Course: BUS 365 (3 credit hours)
• Dates: May 15–25, 2026
• Who Can Apply: Open to all UE students 
• February 2: Deadline for application (by email to yo21@evansville.edu)
• See attached flyer for more details.

This is a unique opportunity to gain global experience, earn credits, and explore Harlaxton in just 10 days. Apply now and be part of an unforgettable summer experience!   If interested, join us for an information session:

• January 29 at 12:15 pm in KC133 and
• January 30 at 12:15 pm in SB 250. 

Please promote this to your fellow students and friends. Hope you join this trip.

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 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

A photograph taken by Dr. Mari Plikuhn, Professor of Sociology and Director of Sociology Programs and the Gerontology Center, was featured as the cover photo for the January 2026 issue of American Cemetery and Cremation magazine. The photograph of a white peacock in St. Wystan's Churchyard in Repton, Derbyshire, UK was selected for their cemetery birds and pets edition.

The current issue can be found at: https://www.acm-digital.com/acm/library/document/january_2026/

LOUISVILLE – University of Evansville junior Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) reset her own indoor 400 meter dash program record on Friday to earn one of two second place finishes, highlighting the Aces' day at the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic. 
 
Sprints and Hurdles
Women
In addition to her two second place finishes, Johnson finished fifth in the 60 meter hurdles to record top three times in program history in three different events on the day. Johnson's mark of 56.99 the 400 meters was a program record, while her time of 25.25 seconds in the 200 meter dash was second in program history and her mark of 9.67 in the 60 meter hurdles was good for third in program hsitory. Freshman Mya Baker (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) also had a strong day, placing sixth in the 60 meter dash a time of 8.04. Josie Seehafer (Inver Grove Heights, Minn/Eagan) made her collegiate track debut by competing in three events, including an eighth place finish in the 60 meter dash at 8.17 seconds. Lissa Willis (Vincennes, Ind./Vincennes Rivet) finished just behind Johnson in the 60 meter hurdles, placing sixth with a personal best of 9.75.

Men
In the 60-meter dash, Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington North) paced three Aces to finish sixth at 7.12 seconds. Shin also placed sixth as the top Evansville finisher in the 200 meters, recording a time of 22.69. In the 400 meters, Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) led the way for UE in the 400 meters with a seventh place finish and a time of 50.91. 

In the 60 meter hurdles, a trio of freshmen - Brody Riggs (Fort Branch, Ind./Gibson Southern), Josiah Hoehn (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor), and Tristin DeTalente (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) - placed seventh, ninth and tenth, respectively. 

Evansville 4x400 meter relay team of Shin, Hoehn, Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy Liceo Scientifico David Maria Turoldo, Zogno (Bg)) and Kadin McAllister (Lilburn, Ga. Parkview) placed third at 3:28.34.

Distance and Mid-Distance
Women
Five Aces competed in the mile, led by Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind./Western) in eighth place with a personal best time of 5:08.91 and Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) in 10th with a personal best of 5:13.98. In the 3000 meters, Avery Stephens highlighted three Aces competitors with a personal best time of 10:18.58 to finish fourth. 

Men
Two Aces competed in the 800 meters, with Jake Antibus (Switz City, Ind./White River Valley) leading the way with a time of 2:00.17, good for 14^th. Five Aces ran the mile, led by a 10th place finish at 4:19.39 by Losma. In the 3000 meters, Nathan Whitehead (Vincennes, Ind./South Knox) was the lone UE representative and finished 24th at 8:52.59. Nicholas Hirsch (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) claimed a podium finish in the 5000 meters, placing third with a time of 15:47.02, while Oliver Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) followed closely behind in fifth at 15:58.07.

Jumps
Women
Lilyana Gargano (Hudson, Fla./Fivay) and Willis both notched personal bests in the high jump with marks of 1.45 meters and 1.40 meters to place sixth and ninth, respectively. In the long jump, Baker recorded a personal best of 5.09 meters for a sixth place finish. 

Men
Riggs snagged a personal best in high jump with a mark of 1.85 meters, placing seventh. In the long jump, Antwaun Powell (Ringgold, Ga./Heritage) finished 13^th with 5.61 meters, followed by Jude Nguyen (Farmington Hills, Mich. North Farmington) in 14th at 5.58 meters. Powell was the lone UE representative in triple jump, placing fifth with 11.01 meters. 
 
Throws
Women
In the shotput, Jillian Miller (Boonville, Ind./Boonville) placed fifth at 9.52 meters, while Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio/Orange) placed fifth in weight throw at 15.14 meters. 

Men
Freshman Drew Aaron (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mount Vernon) snagged a second place finish in shot put with a personal best mark of 11.93 meters. In the weight throw, Beau Baldwin (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mt. Vernon) led three Aces in eighth at 14.30 meters.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Sunday’s game between the University of Evansville men’s basketball team and Southern Illinois remains scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Ford Center.

Alternative dates and times were explored; however, options were extremely limited due to other events going on at the Ford Center.

The game remains open to fans, but all are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to prioritize their safety and closely follow road conditions when making that decision.

Fans who are unable to make it to the Ford Center are able to tune in and listen via radio at https://tocstreams.com/public/WJPS-FM. Please note – the game will NOT be broadcast on ESPN+.

Please follow UE Athletics social media accounts and GoPurpleAces.com for further updates.

TICKET INFORMATION

Any unused tickets from Sunday’s game may be exchanged for FREE tickets to:

• Any remaining men’s or women’s basketball games this season
• Upcoming baseball or softball games

If fans are unable to attend Sunday and wish to take advantage of this opportunity, they should hold onto their unused tickets. Additional details on redemption will be shared soon.

For ticket-related questions or to request make-up tickets, please contact Logan Belz at 812-488-2623.

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA – The University of Evansville women's basketball concluded their Iowa road trip with a bang on Sunday, defeating UNI by a score of 68-65 at the McLeod Center. The win snapped a 21-game losing streak to the Panthers and was the Aces first win in Cedar Falls since 2008.

Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Penn./Greater Latrobe) put in one of the best performances of her career, scoring a season-high 18 points while also matching a career-high with five three pointers on seven attempts. Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) added 17 points and knocked down several key shots late in the game. BreAunna Ward (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) matched her career-high with 11 points for the second consecutive game.  

Both teams started slow offensively, with UNI owning a 7-4 advantage at the first media timeout. In the final possession of the quarter, Ward beat the buzzer with a layup to cut the Panthers' lead to 11-8 at the end of the period.

Evansville got going offensively in the second quarter, taking their first lead of the day on a jumper by Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) at the 9:23 mark. The teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the quarter, trading baskets before going into the half tied up at 29-29.

Coming out of the half, the Aces got hot from three, with Runner and Snyder knocking down a pair of threes to put Evansville ahead by four. Following a jumper by Ward, Snyder buried another triple to stretch the lead to nine. However, UNI responded with a run of their own, battling back to a 42-42 tie with three minutes to go in the quarter. At the end of the quarter, Ward again got a clutch bucket, giving Evansville a three-point lead heading into the fourth.

Snyder remained hot in the four the quarter, sinking another three-ball to put the Aces back up by eight at the 8:40 mark. After the Panthers got it back down to five, Evansville responded with two more threes from Jelena Savic (Melbourne, Australia/Kurunjang Secondary College) and Ward to make it a nine-point game.

UNI made another run with five minutes to go before regaining the lead with 2:20 left, but Runner responded with a jumper as the shot clock expired to put the Aces back up by two. After the Panthers tied it back up, Runner sunk two clutch free throws and the Aces got a stop, sending Snyder to the free throw line with 28 seconds left. Snyder made one free throw before UNI made one free throw of their own. After an Evansville turnout with 18 seconds left, UNI drew another foul and again made one of two, making it a one-point game. With six seconds to go, Kaiden Kreinhagen (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) went to the charity stripe and calmly sunk a pair of free throws, helping the Aces seal a 68-65 win.

Evansville returns home on Thursday, hosting Belmont at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6 PM.

DES MOINES, IOWA – The University of Evansville women's basketball team scored a season-high 82 points on Friday night, but came up short at Drake by a score of 97-82. Five different Aces scored in double figures, a season best.

Freshmen Georgia Ferguson (Waterloo, Ontario/Cairine Wilson Secondary School) and BreAunna Ward (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) recorded career-highs with 17 and 12 points, respectively. Fellow freshman Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) stayed hot with 14 points, including 4 three-point field goals, while Georgia Cox (Ballarat, Australia/Eastern Illinois) added a season-high 12 points and Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) contributed 12 as well while dishing out seven assists.

Drake jumped on Evansville early, opening a 14-2 lead in the first quarter. The Purple Aces cut it back down to eight at the 2:07 mark, but another torrid shooting stretch by the Bulldogs helped them take a 25-12 advantage at the end of the opening period.

In the second quarter, Drake continued to have their way offensively, extending their lead to 22 before ending the half with a 51-32 lead. Ward led the Aces in the first half with 11 points.

Coming out of the half, the Aces fought back, with Ferguson knocking down a jumper and converting an and-one opportunity on back-to-back possessions. Evansville continued to chip away, cutting the Bulldog lead to 12 at the 4:02 mark. However, Drake responded with a strong finish to the quarter, reclaiming a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Evansville showed resiliency once again in the final period, as a pair of triples by Huber helped the Aces bring it within 10 points with 6:59 remaining. Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) added a three of her own to cut it to nine, but that is as close as the Aces would get, as Drake closed out a 97-82 win.

Evansville remains in Iowa to take on Northern Iowa on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.

The University of Evansville (UE) is proud to announce a leadership gift from H. Lee Cooper III H ’88 and Ann S. Cooper ’59 that will endow and formally name the Lee and Ann Cooper Outstanding Teacher Award.

The Outstanding Teacher Award is presented annually during the University’s Spring Commencement, honoring faculty whose teaching transforms lives, builds confidence, and inspires students to pursue bold ideas.

The Lee and Ann Cooper Outstanding Teacher Award reflects one of UE’s defining commitments, elevating the faculty who empower the University’s mission for each student to think critically, act bravely, serve responsibly, and live meaningfully in a changing world. Selection of the Lee and Ann Cooper Outstanding Teaching Award is based on demonstrated excellence in teaching, innovative pedagogy, impactful advising and mentoring, scholarly or creative engagement that strengthens classroom learning, and meaningful service to the University and community. In addition to an honorarium, the award will also provide recipients with financial support that encourages continued professional development and scholarly growth.

The establishment of the Lee and Ann Cooper Outstanding Teacher Award reflects the Coopers’ belief in the transformative power of purposeful and student-focused teaching, the kind that stays with students long after they leave the classroom. The University is proud to honor that belief through an award that celebrates their enduring commitment to UE, its faculty, and its students.

Ann Scheller Cooper is a 1959 graduate of Evansville College, whose lifelong commitment to education has remained a defining thread throughout her personal and professional life. As a secondary education major, she developed an early passion for helping others learn, a passion she carried forward in her work supporting adult learners returning to college and navigating new academic pathways. For decades, she has championed her alma mater with a steady dedication, strengthening programs, celebrating student success, and investing in the enduring impact of exceptional teaching.

H. Lee "Lee" Cooper III, is a retired banking executive who served as chairman, president, and CEO of CNB Bancshares, Inc. in Evansville. A long-time University of Evansville trustee, he served on the Board of Trustees from 1984 to 2008, including service as board chair from 1990 to 1993, and was named a Life Trustee in 2008 before being recognized as an Emeritus Trustee beginning in 2023 in acknowledgment of his long-term leadership and dedication. Lee received the Samuel Orr Honorary Alumnus Award in 1988, underscoring his deep connection to the University community.

Together, the Coopers have served the University as dedicated and influential champions, supporting students, faculty, and strategic initiatives across campus. Their philanthropy reflects a shared belief that great teaching changes lives and that universities thrive when faculty are encouraged and equipped to innovate in the classroom.

“This gift from Lee and Ann Cooper honors the faculty who stand at the center of the mission of the UE experience,” said UE President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz. “Their generosity celebrates the educators who see potential in every student and helps them realize it. Because of the Coopers, generations of Aces will learn from faculty who teach with both purpose and passion.”

Mary Kessler, Acting Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, noted how the gift reinforces UE’s strong commitment to teaching excellence. “Our faculty are mentors, challengers, and partners in discovery,” Kessler said. “This award recognizes our gifted faculty who provide opportunities for our students and shows students how their ideas can make a real impact. The Coopers’ generosity ensures that inspired teaching continues to thrive at the University.”