1095-C forms have been processed for benefit eligible employees. If you have provided consent for electronic 1095-Cs, you can view/print your 1095-C for your records now. Simply log into Self Service  https://selfservice.evansville.edu and click on "Tax Information." You will see the option to receive the 1095-C form. 1095-Cs have been mailed for those employees who did not provide their electronic consent.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the payroll department at payroll@evansville.edu.

Please be aware that neither the University of Evansville nor the Office of Technology Services (OTS) will ever send an email asking you to validate, verify, or confirm your email account or password.

If you receive an email requesting this information, it is a phishing attempt. Do not click any links, open attachments, or provide any personal information.

If you believe you may have received a phishing message, use the reporting tool in Outlook. If you did enter your credentials, change your password immediately.

Staying vigilant helps protect your account and the university’s systems.

The February 2026 meetings of the University of Evansville Board of Trustees will be held on campus Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, 2026. Parking in front of Olmsted Administration Hall and the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration will be reserved for University Trustees. Employee parking on the front oval will be limited on both days.

Brendan Dooley, Ph.D., co-author of Travis Hirschi, part of the Routledge Key Thinkers in Criminology Series, will speak to the CJ/SOC 210 Deviance and Crime class from 1:00 – 2:30 pm on Friday 2/27/26 in SB 170.

All students and the UE campus community, particularly those interested in Criminal Justice, are invited to attend.

Dr Dooley is a 2010 graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His research focuses on the status and development of criminology as a science. The primary means in which the evolution has been chronicled is through the Oral History Criminology Project where he has served as Project Director since 2011.

Photographer Kylie Padgett will be on campus Monday, March 9, at 1:30 p.m. for headshots. University employees in need of a new or updated headshot can email Julie Beer (jb855), Marketing Coordinator, to be added to the list.

Headshots will be taken outdoors near the southwest corner of the front oval lawn. In the event of rain or high winds, headshots will be moved indoors to the SOBA atrium.

Join us for the English & Creative Writing Department’s Spring Coffee Hour, Thursday, February 26 at 4:00 pm in the Melvin M Peterson Gallery. Visiting Creative Writing professor Shawna Kay Rodenberg will be reading from her current work, Mae. Rodenberg’s narrative blends research and oral history, memory and poetry in the story of her maternal grandmother. Letterpress prints featuring excerpts from the work will be available in limited quantities at the reading. Free and open to the public.

Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Join us on Tuesday, March 3, 12:25 - 1:05 in SB172 for an engaging workshop hosted by LEAD Forward, UE’s year-long, executive-style leadership development program designed for students who want to lead with confidence and impact. This interactive session will give a taste of what we do in LEAD Forward and will allow you to hear from the experience of current fellows.  Lunch will be provided; please RSVP in Career Bridge.

Questions about the program? Please email director Megan Conapinski at mt263.

Ready to apply? Complete the application here; applications should be sumbitted by Friday, March 6.

From the devices in our pockets to the bridges we drive across, from clean water systems to lifesaving medical innovations, engineering touches every part of our lives. That’s why each year, Engineers Week is a time to celebrate the people who make all this possible—and to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.

This year’s theme, Transform Your Future, is a powerful reminder that engineering doesn’t just shape our world—it shapes our opportunities, our communities, and the futures we can imagine for ourselves and our children.

We hope you’ll take a moment to recognize and celebrate the work of engineers and engage students in engineering. We invite you to be a part of our Engineers Week celebrations by participating in these events:

Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management Career Forum

February 24, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Eykamp Hall

Engineers Week Speaker: Amy Barrett, PE, F. NSPE, LEED AP – Electrical Engineer, Engineering Career Mentor and Leadership Development

February 25, 12:00pm – 1:00pm in KC 100

The Staff and Administrators Assembly (SAA) is excited to host the Second Annual Employee Services Fair designed to highlight the many campus services that support our employees, both professionally and personally.

The University of Evansville Theatre commences its Spring 2026 season with Christopher Chen’s PASSAGE. This production opens at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the May Studio Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Feb. 25, 26, 27, 28, and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 1. Inspired by E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India, Christopher Chen’s PASSAGE is a poetic drama set in a fictional colonized country. When a tense encounter between a native citizen and an expat spirals into accusation and unrest, the play questions the murky ethics of imperialism, cultural misunderstanding, vulnerability, and identity. Through abstract storytelling, the play invites us to examine how fear and “otherness” distort even our most human interactions.

PASSAGE is directed by Assistant Professor Stacey Yen. Visiting Artist-in-Residence Austin Kuhn ’20 serves as the scenic designer; Maria Lenn ’13, guest artist, serves as the costume designer; Jonathan Roth ’26, senior design and technologies major, from Brookfield, Wis. serves as the lighting designer; Visiting Assistant Professor Jon Robertson serves as the sound designer; Saray Rodríguez Hernández ’27, junior theatre management major, from Caracas, Venezuela is the cultural coordinator; Marguerite Winzinger ’27, junior directing and dramaturgy major, from Bordentown, N.J. serves as dramaturg; Mel Denison ’27, a junior stage management major, from Gainesville, Texas, is the stage manager, and Assistant Technical Director/Scene Shop Manager Cody Kane serves as the technical director.

The cast ensemble features Guldana Karman, a junior performance major, from Katy, Texas; Owen White, a junior performance major, from Valley Center, Kan.; Philana Koto, a sophomore performance major, from Denton, Texas; Mason Norton, a senior performance major, from Bremen, Ind.; Blane Wheeless, a first-year performance major, from Midland, Texas; Rylie Sudduth, a junior performance major, from Versailles, Ky.; Bailey Crawford, a junior performance major, from Frisco, Texas; Luis Alejandro Gonzalez, a sophomore performance major, from Midland, Texas; Matthew Manders, a junior performance major, from Houston, Texas; and Shane Allison, a first-year performance major, from Spring, Texas.

Adult ticket prices are $25 and $20 for senior adults, UE employees. and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free ticket with their student ID by visiting the ticket office. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.

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International Club and International Student Engagement are collecting recipes for the International Food Festival on Friday, March 27 at 5:00 PM in The Eatery. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit a favorite recipe they would like to share with the campus community.

Students whose recipes are selected and who are interested will have the opportunity to cook their dishes alongside Chartwells. For everyone else, we look forward to seeing you on March 27 for an evening of global cuisine and community celebration.

The Department of Art invites the campus community to attend a Student Showcase featuring the work of Lilah Rogel and Zoe Caggiano.

Location: Krannert Gallery

Exhibit Dates: January 20 - February 28

Opening Reception: January 22 at 6:30 p.m.

This exhibition highlights student artwork and celebrates emerging artists within the Department of Art.  All are welcome to attend.

Your story can drive REAL change! Learn how in this Change Leadership Workshop with the Center for Innovation & Change. During this interactive experience, you’ll learn how to turn lived experience into meaningful messages that move people. Discover how to inspire action, shape conversations, and lead change with clarity and confidence.

In this workshop, you will:

• Practice telling a short, focused version of your life story
• Learn a simple framework to make your stories clear, compelling, and meaningful
• Identify how your lived experiences signal what you genuinely care about
• Map stakeholders and tailor your message to a specific audience
• Design and deliver a short change message in a team setting

Free pizza (and a fun workshop) for all attendees! RSVP on UEngage to attend.

Academic Affairs is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 Lee and Ann S. Cooper Outstanding Teacher Award. The University bestows this award annually to a faculty member for exemplary teaching and student service. The goal of the award is to encourage both outstanding teaching and the inclusion of students in as many facets of academic life as possible. Any full-time faculty member who is a classroom teacher, has taught at least two years at UE and holds the rank of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, clinical assistant, or clinical associate, is eligible. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni may make nominations.

 Outstanding Teacher Award Criteria:

• A record of outstanding teaching effectiveness both within and outside the classroom.
• The ability to inspire, promote and sustain the intellectual development of students.
• A pedagogical approach that is innovative, intellectually rigorous, creative, and engaging.
• Demonstrated scholarly contributions and their integration into the classroom.
• Advising/mentoring of students and student organizations.
• Involvement in the University and/or greater community.

The following Outstanding Teacher Award winners from the past five years are not eligible:

2021 – Dr. Julie Merkle

2022 – Dr. Katie Whetstone

2023 – Dr. James Ware

2024 – Dr. Diana Rodriquez Quevedo

2025 – Dr. Mike Slade

Access the link below to submit a nomination. https://www.evansville.edu/offices/academicaffairs/outstanding-teacher-form.cfm

Forward supplemental documentation if needed to: Linda Tipton lt155@evansville.edu. Please include the faculty member name and OTA 2026 in the subject line.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, March 6, 2026.

Register for TIAA webinars for expert financial information.

Hey, UE community! Ready to build confidence under the bar? Join our Barbell Instructional Class to learn proper technique for foundational barbell lifts so you can train safely and effectively. Plus, connect with other students interested in resistance training.

All experience levels welcome — sign up using the QR code!

Nominations are now being accepted for consideration of The Howard S. Rosenblatt “Dean of Students Leadership Awards.”  These awards will be presented at the 33rd Annual Leadership Awards Reception scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026.  Invitations will be prepared by the Center for Student Engagement.  

Awards from the Dean of Students Office are presented in the following categories:

• Student Organization Advisor of the Year

• Student Organization of the Year

• Student Leader of the Year

Our student organizations are successful because of the commitment of the student leaders and the advisors who give freely of their time and support.  The recipients of these awards are selected based on their commitment to the University of Evansville as well as the development and success of their efforts within their chosen student organization.

The deadline for nominations is March 20, 2026.  Click on this link to submit your nomination: 

https://forms.office.com/r/5WhHUF7J6i 

If you have any questions, please contact the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students office at 812-488-2500 or by e-mail via deanofstudents@evansville.edu 

Thank you in advance for celebrating our student leaders’ achievements!

Do you know a senior deserving of the highest award given by UE? Ten finalists will be selected, and one student will be presented this award at Commencement. Selection is based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and community and campus engagement. 

 
The Guthrie May and Mabel Dillingham Nenneker Outstanding Senior Service Award nominations will be accepted February 18 – March 6, 2026. Students nominated must accept their nomination by 5:00 p.m. on March 20th, 2026. 

 
You can nominate deserving seniors by completing the form below. Once you submit a nomination, students will receive an automatic email giving them the opportunity to accept the award.  

https://form.jotform.com/220724520906046 

Please contact Shelby Bartholome, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students Office (sg293@evansville.edu) with any questions.

Commencement Central is an event where students planning to graduate Spring or Summer of 2026 will check their diploma name and degree programs and touch base with the University Bookstore, Alumni Relations, and the Center for Career Development.

This event will be held in Eykamp Hall at the following dates/times:

March 2, 2026 : 11am-1pm

March 3, 2026 : 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm

If you plan on graduating Spring or Summer of 2026, please use this link to sign up for a 20 minute time slot: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DABA822A3FCCF8-62003536-2026

Even if you do not plan to attend the Commencement Ceremony, you should attend this event as this is the time when you ensure your degree and diploma information is correct.

Additional information about Commencement Central can be found at this web address:

https://www.evansville.edu/commencement/central.cfm 

**Note: Students at Harlaxton and graduate students out of state on clinical rotation, please reach out to Hannah Girten at hg64@evansville.edu**

All graduating seniors in good standing at UE are eligible to be considered for the Senior Keynote. We encourage you to consider applying at https://www.evansville.edu/commencement/keynote.cfm by Friday, March 27, 2026.

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.

Please join the Offices of Human Resources, Institutional Equity and Title IX, and Project SafeSpace in congratulating HR Talent and Operations Coordinator Brooke Weaver on completing her MBA with Western Governors University. Congratulations, Brooke!

Please join us in celebrating Ashley Nels, University Registrar and Head of Academic Advising and Retention on Thursday, March 5 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in Room 116, Olmsted Hall.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Evansville in 2013 and Master’s in Leadership in 2021. Ashley began her career at UE as an admissions counselor in 2016 and moved to Academic Services in 2017 and was appointed University Registrar and Head of Academic Advising and Retention in 2024.

Ashley has accepted a Registrar position at a university outside of Denver, Colorado. Please stop by to thank Ashley for her years of dedicated service to UE and to wish her all the best in her new role.

Dr. Logan Pant, Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Schroeder School of Business, has once again had a journal article accepted for publication by the global publisher Emerald Group. His article, “It’s 5:00 Somewhere: Exploring Consumer Drinking Mindsets,” was published by Emerald Group, headquartered in Leeds, England.

According to Dr. Pant, “This research aims to examine how different types of alcohol lead to various mental states that influence overall decision-making and consumer choices, especially for young consumers. It highlights how learned associations with specific kinds of alcohol consumption create distinct drinking mindsets.”

The article explores how different types of alcohol influence mental states and, in turn, affect decision-making and consumer behavior among young adults. This work contributes to an understudied area of consumer psychology by focusing on learned associations tied to specific types of alcohol rather than solely on intoxication. The research helps clarify mixed findings in prior literature, identifies future research opportunities, and offers practical insights for academics, policymakers, marketers, and consumers seeking to better understand alcohol-related decision-making. These insights may guide branding strategies and deepen understanding of consumer behavior.

The Schroeder School of Business is proud of Dr. Pant’s continued contributions to marketing research and looks forward to the impact of his future scholarly work.

Last week, Dr. Jean Gómez, Director of Orchestras at the UE Music Conservatory, was invited to serve as the High School Orchestra clinician for the 2026 All-West Clinic, organized by the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA). Dr. Gómez engaged and prepared highly talented musicians through rehearsals, culminating in a full-house concert.

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ST. LOUIS – For the second week in a row, the University of Evansville softball team clinched Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week accolades as sophomore Emma McDonald earned the honor on Tuesday.

In Evansville’s trip to Central Arkansas, McDonald batted .444 with four hits in nine at-bats. She scored three runs while walking twice with one RBI. Friday’s win over UCA saw McDonald go 1-2 with a run and walk.

Her top performance came in the win over Saint Louis where she went 2-4 with two runs, a triple, and RBI. She tripled to lead off the 8th inning before scoring the game-winning run. McDonald completed the weekend with a hit and walk in the rematch against Central Arkansas.

McDonald and the Purple Aces travel to North Alabama this weekend for a 3-game series.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Missouri Valley Conference Swimming and Diving Championships return to Evansville this week. Deaconess Aquatic Center is set to host the 2026 championships from Wednesday through Saturday.

UE last competed at Bellarmine on Feb. 7 and saw multiple weekly MVC accolades. Jadyn Dauphinais earned MVC Women’s Swimmer of the Week honors while Logan Tenison garnered league Men’s Swimmer of the Week recognition. Jillian Giese took MVC Freshman of the Week accolades while Alex Willis was named the Men’s Freshman of the Week.

Four full days are upcoming with preliminaries taking place each morning with finals in the evening. The full daily schedules are below:

Wednesday, Feb. 25 – 10:30 AM (Prelims), 5:30 PM (Finals)

200y Freestyle Relay - Women
200y Freestyle Relay - Men
500y Freestyle - Women
500y Freestyle - Men
200y IM - Women
200y IM - Men
50y Freestyle - Women
50y Freestyle - Men
1-Meter Diving - Men
400y Medley Relay - Women
400y Medley Relay – Men

Thursday, Feb. 26 – 10:30 AM (Prelims), 5:30 PM (Finals)

100y Butterfly - Women
100y Butterfly - Men
400y IM - Women
400y IM - Men
200y Freestyle - Women
200y Freestyle - Men
1-Meter Diving - Women
200y Medley Relay - Women
200y Medley Relay – Men

Friday, Feb. 27 – 10:30 AM (Prelims), 5:30 PM (Finals)

200y Butterfly - Women
200y Butterfly - Men
100y Breaststroke - Women
100y Breaststroke - Men
100y Backstroke - Women
100y Backstroke - Men
3-Meter Diving - Men
800y Freestyle Relay - Women
800y Freestyle Relay – Men

Saturday, Feb. 28 – 10:30 AM (Prelims), 5:30 PM (Finals)

1650y Freestyle - Women
1650y Freestyle - Men
200y Backstroke - Women
200y Backstroke - Men
100y Freestyle - Women
100y Freestyle - Men
200y Breaststroke - Women
200y Breaststroke - Men
3-Meter Diving - Women
400y Freestyle Relay - Women
400y Freestyle Relay - Men

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women's basketball team completed the regular season sweep of UNI for the first time since 2007-08 on Saturday evening, defeating the Panthers 64-63 in overtime inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.  

Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) filled up the stat sheet for Evansville, leading the Aces in points (15), assists (7) and rebounds (7). Jelena Savic (Melbourne, Australia/ Kurunjang Secondary College) matched a career-high with 14 points, knocking down four three-pointers, while adding seven rebounds. Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) added 11 points and six rebounds while playing a game-high 42 minutes.

UNI dominated the first three minutes of the game, jumping out to a 7-0 lead. The Aces responded with a run of their own, with Huber and Savic burying three-pointers and Runner giving the Aces the lead with a layup. The Panthers regained the lead, however, taking a 17-12 lead into the second quarter.

The Panthers extended their lead to 11 early in the second period and continued to control the game heading into halftime, leading 38-29 at the break.

Evansville chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, cutting it to six on a three-pointer by Georgia Cox (Ballarat, Australia/Eastern Illinois) with 3:42 to play. Before Savic buried a triple with make it 46-43.

With UNI entering the fourth quarter holding a 50-43 advantage, Evansville continued to battle, getting the deficit back to three on another Savic triple with 5:13 remaining. With 3:46 to go, Huber tied it up with a three-pointer before BreAunna Ward nailed a jumper to give the Aces their first lead since the 3:12 mark in the first quarter. It would be an defensive struggle for the remainder of regulation, with a layup by UNI being the only points in the final 3:22 to force overtime.

UNI scored the first four points of the overtime period to go ahead 63-59, but the Aces answered right back on a layup by Runner and two free throws by Mireia Mustaros (Barcelona, Spain/Odessa College). With 26 seconds left, Evansville forced a Panthers' miss to gain possession for the last shot. With one second left, Runner was fouled, and made the second of two free throws to give her team the win.

Evansville wraps up their homestand on Thursday, welcoming Drake to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6 PM.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – University of Evansville senior Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio/Okawville) broke her own indoor weight throw program record for the second time this season on Saturday with a mark of 15.68 meters, while junior Avery Stephens (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) took home the 3000 meter title, highlighting the Aces' day at the ISU Open.
 
Sprints and Hurdles
Women
Freshman Josie Seehafer (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Eagan) enjoyed a strong day for the Aces, notching personal bests in both the 60 meters and 400 meters while placing eighth in the 200 and 400. Mya Baker (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) had the top time of three Aces in the 60, finishing 12th at 8.06. Evansville's 4x400 meter relay team, consisting of Amick McClelland (Quincy, Ill. Quincy), Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind. Columbus North), Veronica Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton), and Seehafer, placed fifth with a time of 4:20.20. 

Men
In the 60 meters, Josiah Hoehn (Hazel Crest, Ill. Homewood-Flossmoor) led the Aces with a time of 7.07 to place 15th, while Tristin DeTalente (Evansville, Ind. Evansville North) secured a personal best of 7.64. In the 200 meters, Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) and Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington North) placed seventh and eighth, respectively. In the 400, Terry placed fifth at 51.96 and Shin snagged a personal best of 52.69 to place seventh. In the 60 meter hurdles, Brody Riggs (Fort Branch, Ind./Gibson Southern) cruised past his personal best with a mark of 8.46, good for sixth, while Hoehn and DeTalente also secured personal bests. The 4x400 meter relay team of Shin, Hoehn, Terry and Kadin McAllister (Lilburn, Ga./Parkview) placed third at 3:36.35.


Distance and Mid-Distance
Women
Evansville dominated the women's 300 meters race, with Stephens taking the title with a personal best time of 10:11.60. Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind. Western) finished third with a personal best of 10:16.52, and Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) placed sixth at 10:35.88. In the 800 meters, Wilgocki snagged a personal best of 2:33.12 for a personal best. 

Men
In the mile, Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy Liceo Scientifico David Maria Turoldo, Zogno (Bg) placed seventh while Thomas Wamser (Greenville, S.C. J.L. Mann) and Alejandro Navarrete (Mogadore, Ohio Mogadore) notched personal bests. Evansville had another strong showing in the 3000 meters on the men's side, with Tanner Spence (Carmi, Ill. Carmi) placing fourth at 8:41.54 and Nathan Campbell (Bloomington, Ind. Bloomington North) placing seventh with a time of 8:46.24. Both marks were personal bests. 
 
Throws
Women
Darrah highlighted the Aces' female throwers by breaking her own weight throw record with a mark of 15.68 meters, placing seventh. 

Men
In the weight throw, Tyler Cherne (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) led three Aces with a mark of 14.06 meters to finish 10th. 

Jumps
Women
Baker secured a personal best in the long jump at 5.10 meters to place ninth.

Men
Riggs placed seventh in the high jump at 1.78 meters, while Antwaun Powell (Ringgold, Ga. Heritage) notched a personal best in the triple jump at 11.91 meters to place sixth.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The final week of the regular season for the University of Evansville men's basketball team begins with a trip to Nashville to face Belmont on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.

Last Time Out

- After leading by as many as 14 points in the first half, the Purple Aces fell at Murray State on Saturday by a final of 88-75

- AJ Casey scored 19 points while Leif Moeller added 17

- Josh Hughes (16 pts) and Alex Hemenway (14 pts) both had their top efforts of the conference season

Still Going Strong

- With 19 points on Saturday at Murray State, AJ Casey got back on track after scoring a total of 13 points in the previous two games

- Casey scored a career-high 28 points in the win over Illinois State marking the highest tally for a UE player this season

- He continues to rank among the MVC's best in multiple categories including: scoring (15th-11.93 PPG), rebounds (9th-5.46 RPG), shooting % (7th-50.0%), steals (6th-1.29/game), and offensive boards (9th-2.00/gm)

- Casey has scored 7+ points in 18 of the last 20 games and is averaging 14.6 PPG against MVC foes after scoring 7.8 PPG in non-conference play

Series Notes

- Belmont has won eight of the 11 games in the all-time series, which goes back to 2009

- Two of Evansville's wins have come at the Curb Event Center including an 80-75 victory last season

- The last three meetings have been decided by 5 points or less

Triple Play

- Alex Hemenway scored 14 points in the road game at Murray State marking his top effort against a league opponent

- He was 4-for-8 from outside and has knocked down multiple 3-pointers in nine of the last 11 games

- The recent surge has moved him into 10th in the MVC with 1.71 made triples per game

- Hemenway scored 12 points at Indiana State and 11 against Bradley

- He set his career mark with 21 points against Calumet while going a perfect 5-of-5 from outside

Lucky 13

- Over his last three games, Josh Hughes is averaging 13 points including a 16-point game at Murray State

- The performance against the Racers matched his season scoring high

- Over his last 12 games, Hughes is averaging 10.3 PPG while shooting 49.5%; he tied his season high with 16 points at UIC

Scouting the Opponent

- Belmont clinched the Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championship with an 87-70 win over Indiana State on Saturday

- The Bruins hold a record of 25-4 overall and 15-3 in the league

- Over their last 13 games, the Bruins have gone 12-1 with their only loss coming in overtime on the road at Bradley

- Four Belmont players average double figures led by Tyler Lundblade's 15.8 PPG

- Sam Orme is averaging 12.6 points and 5.2 boards while Drew Scharnowski has posted 11.9 PPG and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per contest

ST. LOUIS – University of Evansville freshman Jelena Savic (Melbourne, Australia, Kurunjang Secondary College) has been named Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week for the first time in her career, the league office announced on Monday afternoon. Huber earns the award after matching a career-high with 14 points while grabbing seven rebounds in Saturday's overtime win over UNI.

Against the Panthers, Savic shot 4-for-8 from the three-point line to help the Aces complete the regular season sweep over UNI for the first time since 2007-08. With her performance, Savic became the fourth freshman in the MVC this season to have multiple games with four three-point field goals. Savic also became the fourth MVC freshman this year to score 14 points and grab seven rebounds in a game.

Savic is the second Evansville freshman to be named MVC Freshman of the Week this season, following Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) on January 12. Savic has played in all 27 games this season, averaging 5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Of MVC freshmen with a minimum of 20 three-pointers attempted this year, Savic ranks first with a. 39.1% mark from deep.

Savic and the Aces return to the floor on Thursday to conclude their four-game homestand, hosting Drake at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6 PM.

EVANSVILLE, Ind.  –  The University of Evansville baseball team picked up their first win over a ranked opponent since 2024 on Saturday, blanking 18^th-ranked Kentucky in game two of the day's doubleheader for a 1-0 win. The Aces dropped the first game of the day, 5-3.

Max Hansmann (Elmhurst, Ill./York) turned in another quality start in game one, tossing five innings while allowing just one unearned run. Reid Haire (Hudson, N.C./Charlotte) collected two hits and drove in a run, while Aaron Nehls (Evansville, Ind./North) also had a two-hit game. Chris McCormack (Naperville, Ill./Iowa Central CC) took the loss for Evansville, while Ryan Mullan got the win for Kentucky.
 
In game two, Kevin Reed (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville) and Tanner Graham (Rocheport, Mo./Hickman) dominated on the mound, limiting the Wildcats to four hits for the Aces' first shutout of the year. The shutout also marked the first time that Kentucky has been blanked since being shut out by LSU in eight innings on May 22, 2024. Nehls drove in the lone run of the game with a two-out single in the second inning. Reed got the win for Evansville, while Nate Harris took the loss for the Wildcats.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
Evansville struck first in game one, with Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind.) doubling to left center and coming around to score on a single by Wyatt Pennington (Avon, Ind./Avon) and an error by the Wildcats' right fielder.

In the third inning, Hansmann ran into a jam, with runners on second and third and one out. However, the senior got out of it, picking up a strikeout before inducing a groundout.

Kentucky got on the board in the fourth inning, using a two-out error to plate a run. However, the Aces responded in the home half, as Haire beat out a bunt single to plate Reagan Reeder (Ramsey, Minn./Illinois).

In his final inning of the day, Hansmann again escaped a jam, using a 1-6-3 double play to keep the Aces in front.

Evansville added a run in the fifth, taking advantage of a walk and a HBP with a sac fly from Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs).
 
Facing a 3-1 deficit, Kentucky continued to fight offensively and eventually broke through scoring once in the seventh, twice in the eighth, and once in the ninth to capture a come-from-behind win.


HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
The second game of the day was the ultimate pitcher's duel, with Evansville's Reed and Kentucky's Harris battling from the start. In the second inning, the Aces took advantage of a rare scoring opportunity, putting two on with two outs on a pair of walks before Nehls lofted a single into center, driving in Spike Magill (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista).

The one-run lead was all Reed needed, as the left-hander retired six of the next seven Wildcasts he faced. In the fifth, Kentucky put runners on the corners with two down, but Reed induced a fly out to keep it a 1-0 game.

Kentucky put another man on in the sixth, but Reed rolled a 6-4-3 double play ball to get through his sixth scoreless inning, departing with a sparkling line of five strikeouts, three hits allowed, two walks, and no runs.

With his team looking to close out the win, Graham took over on the mound in the seventh and rose to the occasion, retiring the 'Cats in order in the seventh before working around a pair of walks in the eighth to put up another zero. Graham returned in the ninth looking for his first career save and delivered again, stranding the tying run at second to secure the win and the shutout.

UP NEXT
Evansville is back in action on Tuesday for another SEC test, traveling to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt. First pitch is set for 4:30 PM.

On February 17, at the invitation of Deaconess Hospital Midtown, Dr. Cindy Crowe, Assistant Professor of Spanish, along with Latino Community Outreach students Saray Rodriguez Hernandez and Chloe Ruffin presented research on the barriers and disparities in Latino mental healthcare and culturally sensitive approaches to mitigate these deterrents.

Dr. Jennifer Braun, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the UE Emily M. Young Clinic, discussed practical approaches to increasing access to mental health care for Latino communities and shared how the UE Emily M. Young Mental Health Clinic is addressing language and financial barriers to ensure high-quality, affordable services are available to all.

The University of Evansville (UE) has launched a new TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program, a federally funded initiative through the U.S. Department of Education designed to increase college retention and graduation rates for first-generation students, income-eligible students, and students with disabilities.

UE's initiative grant total for TRIO is approximately $1 million.

TRIO Student Support Services is part of the nationally recognized TRIO portfolio of programs, established under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to promote educational access for students who face systemic barriers to higher education. UE's TRIO SSS program will provide comprehensive, personalized support to help students persist, thrive, and graduate.

"TRIO Student Support Services represents a powerful investment in our students and in the University of Evansville's mission to support access, opportunity, and success," said Mary Kessler, UE Acting Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. "This program strengthens our ability to meet students where they are and provide the tools and guidance they need to reach their full potential."

Supporting Student Success at UE

The University of Evansville's TRIO SSS Program is designed to serve 140 undergraduate students annually, focusing on students who meet federal TRIO eligibility criteria. The program responds to documented challenges faced by this population, including academic preparedness gaps, financial barriers, and the complexities of navigating college systems.

The program has established ambitious, student-focused goals, including:

• 80% year-to-year persistence for participating students
• 95% of participants maintaining good academic standing
• 70% graduation rate within six years

To achieve these outcomes, UE's TRIO Student Support Services Program will provide a comprehensive suite of evidence-based supports, including individualized Academic Success Plans with ongoing coaching and progress reviews; academic tutoring; financial aid advising and financial literacy education; career readiness and graduate school preparation; and cultural enrichment experiences. These enrichment opportunities, such as visits to museums, historical sites, arts events, and community organizations, are designed to broaden students' worldviews and connect academic learning to real-world experiences.

Leadership Appointment

The University of Evansville is pleased to announce the appointment of Tracy Gerth as Project Director of the TRIO Student Support Services Program. Gerth has been with the University since 2022, most recently serving as Assistant Director of the Center for Career Development.

"We are especially excited to welcome an internal leader into this role," said Kessler. "Tracy brings deep knowledge of our students, a strong commitment to student success, and a proven dedication to the University of Evansville community. She is exceptionally well-positioned to build and lead this program with vision, compassion, and excellence."

As Project Director, Gerth will oversee program implementation, student services, compliance with federal requirements, and campus collaboration to ensure the program's long-term impact.

For more information about the TRIO Student Support Services Program at the University of Evansville, visit https://www.evansville.edu/trio/index.cfm.

In a full-circle moment for one of Evansville's most versatile media voices, the University of Evansville (UE) has named Joe Atkinson as Director of Evansville NewsLab, a UE ChangeLab focused on strengthening civic journalism and community engagement across the region.

Atkinson has served as Communications Director for the City of Evansville under Mayor Stephanie Terry since 2024 and is widely known for his earlier roles in local journalism, his documentary film work, and as a member of the UE faculty. His appointment marks a return to his alma mater and former professional home, where he taught dozens of courses for nearly a decade before taking a job with the city.

Atkinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University and advanced degrees from the University of Evansville and the University of Nebraska Omaha. His background spans journalism, higher education, and public service, a blend that uniquely positions him to guide the NewsLab's mission of building trust and collaboration between media outlets and the Evansville community.

"Joe's career reflects the very essence of what Evansville NewsLab is about, empowering communities through storytelling and collaboration," said Andrew Carter, Associate Director of the Center for Innovation & Change. "His leadership will help us continue building a more connected and civically engaged Evansville."

Evansville NewsLab is a community-driven journalism initiative dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between local media outlets and the public. Through innovative projects and collaborative research, the lab works to amplify diverse voices and empowers residents to actively participate in shaping the narrative of Evansville.

The program was awarded a $10,000 grant in 2024 from the Listening Post Collective, a nonprofit organization that supports innovative, community-focused journalism. The grant supported ChangeLab's expansion of outreach initiatives, including surveys and focus groups, as it works to develop a sustainable civic journalism hub for the Evansville area.

In 2025, Evansville NewsLab was awarded a $230,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation through the Press Forward Initiative. This new funding will allow NewsLab to expand its community connections, deepen partnerships with local organizations, and engage more students and community members in the production of impactful journalism.

The grant reflects growing national concern over the decline of local journalism, which has left many communities without trusted sources of news and accountability. Through Press Forward, Lumina Foundation joins a broad coalition of funders and organizations committed to rebuilding local news ecosystems.

"All across the country, communities are rethinking how local journalism can better support civic engagement and public understanding," Atkinson said. "Seeing the University of Evansville take on that question here in our community through NewsLab was compelling, and I'm honored to help lead the effort."

Evansville NewsLab is part of UE's nationally recognized Changemaker Campus initiative, which encourages students and faculty to develop real-world solutions to social and community challenges.

For more information about Evansville NewsLab and the Center for Innovation & Change, visit https://www.evansville.edu/centerforinnovation/.

The University of Evansville (UE) is proud to host the first-ever Evansville Civics Bee, in partnership with the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, marking the inaugural Civics Bee in Southern Indiana.

This live event, part of the 2026 National Civics Bee, will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Hyde Hall, Shanklin Theatre.

The National Civics Bee is a nonpartisan, nationwide competition designed to engage middle school students in civics, critical thinking, and community involvement. Students in grades 6-8 are invited to submit a four-paragraph essay proposing a solution to improve their community. Top finalists will advance to a live quiz competition, with prizes including a $5,000 donation to the winning student's school, as well as recognition at the state and national levels. This initiative strengthens civic knowledge while developing writing, public speaking, and problem-solving skills.

"Changing lives and changing the world starts with engaged, informed citizens," said Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, President of the University of Evansville. "By hosting the first-ever Civics Bee in Southern Indiana, we are empowering young learners to recognize the difference they can make in their communities while building the skills and confidence to be engaged, active participants in democracy."

"Hosting the first-ever Civics Bee in Southern Indiana is exactly the kind of unique opportunity that strengthens a region," said Kara Yates, Executive Director of Workforce & Education at E-REP. "When students learn how their communities work, they're more prepared to lead, serve, and improve the place they call home.

"As we approach America's 250th anniversary, we have a powerful opportunity - and responsibility - to reignite civic learning across the country," said Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation. "Our hope is that the National Civics Bee inspires more schools to prioritize civics education, equipping young people with a deeper understanding of how our government and democracy work - and the essential role they play in strengthening their communities and our nation."

Students and families interested can learn more at https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee/.

The Evansville Promise Neighborhood (EPN) welcomes the first cohort of new program partners, an expansion that strengthens collaboration, deepens community impact, and creates new pathways of opportunity for children and families across the Promise Neighborhood.

The EPN network now includes 33 partner organizations working together across the community, a growth that reflects strong alignment around the students, families, and six schools that make up the Promise Neighborhood.

"We're excited to expand our partner network and deeply grateful to the first cohort of program partners that have come on board," said Derek McKillop, Director of the Evansville Promise Neighborhood. "Their engagement speaks to the momentum behind this work and the power of partnership."

The new partners bring expertise across various industries, including healthcare, education, talent development, mentoring, and family support, increasing EPN's capacity to coordinate services and advance shared strategies. That added capacity directly strengthens the work already underway across EPN's four focus areas.

EPN Pipeline Workgroups are currently implementing initial collective action plans across four focus areas, each centered on a shared, high-impact strategy. Pipeline 1 focuses on kindergarten readiness and advancing literacy through Little Moments, Big Growth, a community-wide campaign that equips caregivers of children ages 0-5 with practical, everyday strategies to support early development. Pipeline 2 is focused on strengthening family engagement, improving access, and exploring shared incentives and solutions to help students stay connected to their school and be present in the classroom every day.

Pipeline 3 is bringing college and career conversations directly to families through mobile, community-based engagement, supporting multigenerational planning for the future. Pipeline 4, with a focus on health and wellness, is currently working to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables while building knowledge around healthy choices through family and community engagement events and after-school programs. The addition of new partners strengthens each focus area by expanding reach, aligning resources, and accelerating progress across the Evansville Promise Neighborhood.

The following organizations have joined the Evansville Promise Neighborhood network:

• Ascension St. Vincent - Evansville
• Carver Community Organization
• City of Evansville / Mayor's Office
• Community Action Program Evansville (C.A.P.E.)
• J.D. Sheth Foundation
• Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville
• Old National Bank
• Southern Indiana Mentoring Academy
• Welborn Baptist Foundation
• YWCA

Together, EPN continues working on building strategic partnerships that unlock resources and create pathways of opportunity for children, families, and the entire community.

For more information, visit evansville.edu/epn.