The University of Evansville is excited to announce the return of UE Gives Back! Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 1, and join us for a day of service to support and enhance our campus.

With approval from your immediate supervisor and as schedules permit, employees may participate without using vacation time.

Projects this year include:

• Mulch areas along the walk between the Library, Olmsted, and the Oval (including Memorial Plaza/Ann Cooper Garden and surrounding beds)
• Add trap rock to the bed near the ADA entrance on the southeast corner of Olmsted
• Paint curbs and parking lines along the Oval
• Paint curbs at the Koch Center parking lot
• Mulch areas around building signage or place trap rock where applicable
• Power wash at Memorial Plaza, SOBA, and the Koch Center
• Clean outfield mats at the baseball field
• Paint handrails at the Panhellenic Center
• Add sand to the Hale Hall volleyball court and clean up the surrounding area

You can sign up for a project using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AAAC2EAAFDC25-63105190-uegives

If you have any questions, please contact Keith Gehlhausen (kg77@evansville.edu) or Apryl Weatherford (aw605@evansville.edu).

Division of Talent & Community

The Pancake Study Break is coming up on Reading/Study Day - Thursday, April 30.

Students - Join us for pancakes and more on Thursday, April 30, from 9:00-11:00 p.m. at The Eatery in Ridgway University Center. There will also be drawings for prizes - so don't miss out!

The Pancake Study Break is offered free of charge to UE students on Reading/Study Day. UE ID required.

April 23, 2026

Wheeler Concert Hall

7:30 PM

Join us for an evening of timeless masterworks as the UE Community Band takes the stage. The program features a curated selection of staples from the wind band repertoire, including the works of Edwin Franko Goldman, Johannes Brahms, and Clare Grundman.

Join International Club for our Final Event of the Year - White Elephant Snack Exchange Night on Tuesday, April 28th at 5:30 PM in the Multicultural Student Commons.

Bring a wrapped snack worth $12 or less to take part in our White Elephant exchange, a fun and unpredictable gift-swapping game where participants choose a gift or "steal" one that’s already been opened.

Whether your snack is sweet, salty, or a little silly, it’s all part of the fun!

It’s the perfect way to unwind with friends from around the world, share some laughs, and celebrate an amazing year together before the finals!

We hope to see you there!

Celebrate the Festival of Colors with International Club on Saturday, April 25th at 1:00 PM on the lawn next to the Carson Center!

Even though Holi was originally on March 4th, we’ll be celebrating it at the end of April to enjoy better weather and a bright spring atmosphere. Come experience the spirit of Holi with music, color, and community.

We'll throw powder and celebrate spring, love and unity together!

🎨 Wear a white shirt or something you don't mind getting colored.

🎶 Enjoy music, laughter, and a festive atmosphere.

🥮Try International snacks and bevarages.

Bring friends and make colorful memories!

See you there!!

The Center for Professional and Continuing Education invites you to join us for our upcoming Lunch and Learn workshop, Delegation: An Essential Skill for Enhancing Leadership and Teams, on Tuesday, May 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Room 252.

In this interactive session, Dr. Tad Dickel will share how to delegate effectively by matching tasks to team strengths, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring accountability.  Participants will gain tools to delegate with clarity and confidence, unlocking greater productivity, engagement, and leadership growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the role of delegation in leadership development
• Identify what and when to delegate
• Match tasks to team member strengths
• Avoid common delegation pitfalls
• Ensure accountability and follow-through

Lunch will be provided.

Cost: $15 per participant
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 1

REGISTER HERE

Open to faculty, staff, students, and alumni: the Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies Program is hosting a book discussion on Monday, April 27 at 4:30pm in the Dunigan Lounge (SOBA 160). We will discuss the book Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. If you are interested in participating, you need only borrow or purchase the book and read or listen to it prior to our meeting date. See below for more information about the book by the publisher Knopf (Penguin Random House):

  #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The unforgettable memoir by the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman who dared to take on Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

“Make no mistake: this is a book about power, corruption, industrial-scale sex abuse and the way in which institutions sided with the perpetrator over his victims. . . . But it is also a book about how a young woman becomes a hero. . . . Important [and] courageous.” —The Guardian

The world knows Virginia Roberts Giuffre as Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s most outspoken victim: the woman whose decision to speak out helped send both serial abusers to prison, whose photograph with Prince Andrew catalyzed his fall from grace. But her story has never been told in full, in her own words—until now.

In April 2025, Giuffre took her own life. She left behind a memoir written in the years preceding her death and stated unequivocally that she wanted it published. Nobody’s Girl is the riveting and powerful story of an ordinary girl who would grow up to confront extraordinary adversity.

Here, Giuffre offers an unsparing and definitive account of her time with Epstein and Maxwell, who trafficked her and others to numerous prominent men. She also details the molestation she suffered as a child, as well as her daring escape from Epstein and Maxwell’s grasp at nineteen. Giuffre remade her life from scratch and summoned the courage to not only hold her abusers to account but also advocate for other victims. The pages of Nobody’s Girl preserve her voice—and her legacy—forever.

Nobody’s Girl is an astonishing affirmation of Giuffre’s unshakable will—first, to claw her way out of victimhood, and then to shine light on wrongdoing and fight for a safer, fairer world. Equal parts intimate and fierce, it is a remarkable narrative of fortitude in the face of depravity and despair.

Join us for the Senior Exhibition Opening Reception on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the Melvin Peterson Gallery.

Featuring work by:
Katie Anderson, Zoe Caggiano, Eileen Flanigan, Nicholas Kee, Abbey Kyle, Rawlston Morton, and Rylie Penticuff.

All are invited!  Come celebrate the work of our graduating seniors!

UE Artists of Color will host the Chrysalis Fair at 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, Apr. 25. Join us in the East Terrace Lawn for an evening full of carnival games, face painting, raffles, and more! The fair will also include art and various vendor stations. The Fair is a fundraiser towards the foundation of THE CHRYSALIS PROJECT, a UE student-led after-school drama club for refugee children in the Evansville community. The program will launch in Fall 2026, meeting biweekly and is centered around creative discovery, planting seeds of confidence, belonging, and artistic curiosity early in life, using art as a bridge between communities! Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for students and can be paid at the door.

The 2026 Honors Undergraduate and Research Symposium will be held on Monday, April 27, in Eykamp Hall.

This event will showcase student research projects presented by Honors students.

Presentations will begin at 8:10AM in Eykamp 251 and Eykamp 252.

Schedule:
• Morning presentations: 8:10AM – 11:35AM
• Break: 11:35AM – 11:55AM
• Afternoon presentations: 12:00PM – 4:15PM

Campus community members are encouraged to attend throughout the day in support and are encouraged to ask students questions about their research.

We hope to see you there!

You’re Invited: Undergraduate Nursing Poster Presentations! Undergraduate nursing students in NURS 385: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice will be showcasing their semester-long literature reviews in a campus-wide poster presentation dissemination forum. Students have explored a wide range of timely and relevant topics, including emerging technologies in nursing such as AI and virtual reality, the effectiveness of different weight loss strategies, mental health nursing interventions, and much more. Please join us to support our nursing students and learn about the latest evidence shaping nursing practice today. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome! Date: Friday, April 24, 2026 Time: 0830-0930 Location: SOBA First Floor, Bernhardt Atrium

Dear Team Members,

We are sincerely grateful for those who have participated in the Identity/Culture Listening Sessions occurring across campus, your time and input have truly been invaluable. If you have not had an opportunity to participate in an Identity/Culture Listening Session, we welcome your presence at one of our following open forums:

• ·         Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 01:30-02:00 PM CT | J Henry Schroeder Boardroom, LI 203
• ·         Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 10:00-10:30 AM CT | J Henry Schroeder Boardroom, LI 203
• ·         Friday, April 24, 2026 | 10:00-10:30 AM CT | J Henry Schroeder Boardroom, LI 203

We additionally recognize that not all are able to participate in person. As such, we welcome and encourage you to utilize the following private survey link to provide additional feedback that you may feel inclined to offer:

University of Evansville | Identity and Culture Listening Session – Fill out form

Please expect to hear more from our task group by the end of the spring semester regarding next steps in the process.

Sincerely,

Identity/Culture Task Group

Abby Murphy, Bre Bondurant, Alexa Ferguson, Trace Stevens and Katie Thomas

https://youtu.be/eVOq-Z6eoqQ

The University of Evansville’s Department of Communication proudly presents a collaborative short film project between students from COMM-345 Video Production and COMM-340 Sound Reinforcement and Recording, led by Tommy Housman and John Robertson, produced by UE Student Media and in partnership with talented theater students.

The Switch will premiere on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Creative Technologies Showcase in the Lutz Lab (Hyde Hall).

Join us for the official screening. More details about the showcase will be announced soon.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Amy McBride on her upcoming retirement.  A reception will be held in Eykamp 251 on Thursday, April 30 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

Dr. Amy McBride has been a dedicated member of the University of Evansville since 1997. With a background in fifth-grade teaching and advanced degrees in education from the University of Iowa, Drake University, and Indiana State University, she has been a valuable member of the elementary education program, mentored teacher candidates, and taught across undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Master’s in Leadership program. She will retire on May 31, 2026, concluding a long and meaningful career in the University of Evansville’s School of Education.

Come join us on Sunday, May 3 at 6 PM in Neu Chapel as we gather to honor and send off our senior class with a meaningful time of reflection and blessing.

• More people trained in CPR
• More groundbreaking research
• More lifesaving moments for families in our community

ChangeLab has a new offering for students interested in emerging technology - Augmented an Virtual Reality! In Fall 2026, students will work with professors from Student Media, Creative Tech, and Languages & Cultures to create immersive experiences in Meta Quest 3s Headsets.

Please reach out to Jon Robertson jr462@evansville.edu with any questions about this exciting class!

Please note a correction regarding the upcoming reception for the Employee Photo Exhibit in the Krannert Gallery. 

The reception will now take place on Thursday, April 30, at 4:00 PM.

We apologize for any confusion caused by the previous announcement and look forward to seeing you there to celebrate the work of our colleagues.

The final 2025-2026 issue of the Crescent is available on campus and online at https://crescent.evansville.edu/. Topics include book recommendations, community service, campus clubs, and original poetry!

Read Harder Challenge!

If you’ve participated in the Read Harder Challenge this year then it’s almost time to turn in your reading list! Your goal was to read eight books from September to April, four of which fill one of the criteria below. It’s not too late! If you’re an avid reader you can still read eight books before April 30!

1.      Read a book by a BIPOC author.

2.      Reread a Childhood favorite.

3.      Read a book about immigration or refugees.

4.      Read a nonfiction book about nature or the environment.

5.      Read a banned book.

6.      Read a book about little known history.

7.      Read a queernorm book.

8.      Read a book in a genre that you haven’t explored before.

When you finish your eight books, turn your reading list in to the Information Desk on the first floor of the library. Students will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. The winner will be announced on May 1^st.

Jon Robertson, Director of Creative Technologies, is building an internal database of singer/songwriters and composers across the university, welcoming all skill levels from both students and faculty alike.

This is a Creative Technologies initiative aimed at connecting musicians who may want to collaborate and create together, with more opportunities on the horizon.

If that sounds like you, please reach out to Jon with a brief introduction: jr462@evansville.edu 488-1158 

The William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences invites lecture proposals from University of Evansville faculty for the 2026–27 Morgan Whitaker Stankey Andiron Lecture Series.

This series honors the memory of University of Evansville alumna Morgan Stankey, who passed away unexpectedly in March 2023. Generous gifts made in her memory have enabled the revival of the Andiron Lecture—a long-standing tradition that has in the past played a vital role in the University’s intellectual life.

We welcome proposals from all academic fields. Lectures are typically delivered as 45-minute, single-speaker presentations, though collaborative proposals with multiple presenters are also encouraged. We look forward to broad faculty participation in this renewed tradition, which celebrates both Morgan’s legacy and the distinguished history of the Andiron Lectures.

Please email your proposal to Dr James MacLeod, Director of the Series, at jm224@evansville.edu

UE's Marketing Department is seeking multiple student workers to assist with TikTok and Instagram content creation for Fall 2026.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Understands how to use TikTok and Instagram 
• Video editing
• Can quickly put together creative video material if needed
• Has a creative eye for social media and can not only film and edit material but craft captions too
• Can attend UE events and work independently to capture student life and share the UE experience from a current student perspective (e.g., interviews, student takeovers, event recaps)
• Follows/Stays up-to-date on TikTok and Instagram trends and can produce content to match these trends

This is a paid position. Interested students should send resumes to Abigail Perry at ap445@evansville.edu.

If you are interested in building bridges instead of walls, register for CHNG-310-S02: Latino Community Outreach for the fall semester. We work collaboratively with businesses and nonprofits to promote diversity and multicultural  harmony and to meet the needs of the local Latino community. Examples of outreach include working with healthcare providers; presenting research; translating documents; teaching basic Spanish and promoting Latino culture in after-school programs; tutoring English language learners in local schools; and offering English classes for adults.  Students choose the project(s) they wish to pursue.
If you want to learn more about this award-winning ChangeLab, email Dr. Cindy Crowe: cc109@evansville.edu

SPAN-212- Intermediate Spanish (3 credit hours) will be offered asynchronously online during Summer Session 2 (June 15 – July 17, 2026).                                                                                                                  Please contact Dr. Cindy Crowe cc109@evansville.edu with any questions.

SPAN-211- Intermediate Spanish (3 credit hours) will be offered asynchronously online during Summer Session 1 (May 11-June 12, 2026).
Please contact Dr. Cindy Crowe cc109@evansville.edu with any questions.

SPAN-112- Elementary Spanish (3 credit hours) will be offered asynchronously online during Summer Session 2  (June 15 – July 17, 2026).                                                                                                              This course fulfills Outcome 6. Please contact Dr. Cindy Crowe cc109@evansville.edu with any questions.

UE students Jake Schwaderer and Vincent Petro recently presented their research, titled “Do Artificial Intelligence Detectors Work? The Effects of Generator and Prompt Type on Detection Accuracy and Reliability in Academic Settings,” at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2026, held April 13-15 in Richmond, VA. This project, completed alongside UE student Andrew Thompson and conducted under the guidance of Dr. Stephanie Underhill, investigates multiple factors informing the (in)accurate detection of AI-generated text.

The 64th Annual Undergraduate Student Art Exhibition, held March 23–April 10, showcased an inspiring range of creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence from our students. Thank you to everyone who visited the exhibition and supported this important annual event.

We are proud to recognize the following award recipients:

Awards of Excellence
Best in Show Purchase Award – Abbey Kyle, Herd Immunity
1st Place Award of Excellence – Eileen Flanigan, Portrait of the Moon
2nd Place Award of Excellence – Sam Ottinger, Road to Acceptance
3rd Place Award of Excellence – Heidi McCombs, On the Vine

Awards of Recognition
Dorothea Schlechte Award – Eileen Flanigan
Dean Long Award – Sam Ottinger, Road to Acceptance
Les Miley Award (Ceramics) – Avery Mason, Forms in Blue Tiles
Les Miley Award (Watercolor) – Abbey Kyle, Hometown Downtown
Art Therapy Award – Zoe Caggiano, Dragonfly Plate
Jack Schriber Award for Art Education – Avery Mason, Forms in Blue Tiles

Special Awards
Melvin Peterson Award – Abbey Kyle, Hometown Downtown
Gumberts Award – Lilah Rogel
Presidential Collection Purchase Award – Elle Gramooré, Mentored Reflections

Emeriti Faculty Awards
Bill Richmond Award for Sculpture/Metals – Ainsley Kurtz, Pin Cushion Doll
William Brown Award for Drawing/Painting – Lilah Rogel, A Self Portrait in Pens

Merit Awards
Avery Mason, Forms in Blue Tiles
Audrey Cracraft, Spring Evening at Home
Sofia Lupi, Fragments of Memory and Taste (Fragments de Memoria y Sabor)
Elle Gramooré, Mentored Reflections
Olivia Halter, Summer View

We are especially excited to announce the People’s Choice Award, determined by votes from our campus community:

People’s Choice Award – Heidi McCombs, Crave

Congratulations to all of the student artists whose work was exhibited, and to each of this year’s award recipients. Your creativity and dedication continue to enrich our campus community.

Thank you for supporting the arts!

First-Year and Senior Students Only:

Complete the survey by April 28 for a chance to win great prizes! Continue to watch for NSSE emails that started back in March.

All first year and senior students who complete the survey will be entered into drawings for:

• 1 Apple iPad (11th generation)
• 1 Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speakers
• Awarded to one first year student and one senior
• Owala 40 oz. FreeSip SWAY Tumblers
• Awarded to two first year students and two seniors 

Each student may receive one prize only.

The odds of winning depend on how many students complete the survey. This year, 1,448 first year and senior students were invited, and the last time this survey was administered, about 315 students participated.

Your feedback matters—thank you for taking part!

The UE community is welcome to attend the Faculty Retirement Tree Planting Ceremony that will take place on Sunday, April 26.  This event will begin at 1:00 p.m. outside of the Koch Center’s front doors in the landscaped area closest to Clifford Memorial Library.  The following faculty members will be honored at the event:

• Ed Bujak- Associate Professor of Modern British History
• Bruce Mabis- Clinical Assistant Professor of Computer Science
• Amy McBride- Associate Professor of Education
• Kenneth Steinsultz- Director of Bands and Professor of Music
• Brian Swenty- Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering

Please join us to wish them well in their retirement.

Edward Bujak, Associate Professor of Modern British History

Dr. Edward Bujak, Associate Professor of Modern British History, began his career at Harlaxton in 2001. He was awarded his PhD degree from the University of East Anglia. He was the 2006 University of Evansville’s Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award and was a 2022-2023 Global Scholar. He was a 2020 Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a 2008 Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Appointed in recognition of his teaching, service, and research, he was promoted to Associate Professor by the University of Evansville Board of Trustees. Serving variously as a Vice Principal, Department Chair, Programs Manager, and a Program Lead to 2021, Dr. Bujak remains a dedicated teacher. A landscape historian, he is the author of three books on the social history of the landscape including Reckless Fellows, the story of RAF Harlaxton in World War One. Landed Estates After the Great War. England’s Elysian Fields will appear in 2028 with Bloomsbury.

Bruce Mabis, Clinical Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Dr. Bruce Mabis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Capital University.  From the University of Evansville, he received a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.  His PhD in Computer Science was awarded from Vanderbilt University in 1992, specializing in software engineering.

Dr. Mabis has lived in Evansville for the last forty-six years. He started teaching Computer Science at UE in 1975. He taught at UE and three other universities all in the tristate area.  Away from academics, he enjoys time with his wife, three sons, and three grandkids. In his spare time, he finds a little time to do things like cut firewood and perform magic whenever he gets the chance.

Amy McBride, Associate Professor of Education

Dr. Amy E. McBride has devoted nearly three decades to the University of Evansville, serving as Associate Professor of Education and a cornerstone of the School of Education since 1997.  Prior to coming to UE, she taught fifth grade in Iowa for twelve years.  She earned her BS degree in Elementary Education and a BA degree in English Education from the University of Iowa.  She earned her master’s degree in Effective Teaching from Drake University and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and Elementary Mathematics Education from Indiana State University.  Tenured in 2007, Dr. McBride coordinated the elementary education program, mentored countless teacher candidates, and taught across undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Master’s in Leadership.  Her leadership extended to serving as Part-time Associate Chair and chairing numerous committees focused on curriculum, accreditation, advising, and retention.  Whether supervising pre-service teachers, leading study abroad programs in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, or mentoring student-athletes, she consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to student growth and professional excellence.

A respected scholar, Dr. McBride’s research has centered on standards-based mathematics instruction, cultural competence, and immersive teacher preparation.  She has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international and national conferences, including AERA and AACTE, and secured significant grant funding to advance STEM education and curriculum innovation.  As a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), she has fostered intercultural competence on campus, offering workshops, presentations, and a course on multicultural understanding.  She has been recognized with numerous honors, including the University of Evansville Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (2004), the Exemplary Teaching Award (2002), the Dean’s Teaching Award (2000), the Connie Belin Award for Excellence in Teaching, and induction to the School of Education Honor Wall (2021).

Beyond titles and accolades, Dr. McBride’s legacy is rooted in relationships, mentorship, and service.  The students are her priority.  As an active advisor, she not only advised students in the School of Education but also served as an academic mentor for student-athletes.  She has championed professional development schools, community partnerships, after-school programs, and initiatives supporting diversity, inclusion, and student success.  Her work with Kappa Kappa Iota, recruitment and retention efforts, athletics mentoring, and countless university committees reflects a career marked by leadership and heart.  Through her teaching, scholarship, and service, Dr. McBride has shaped generations of educators and strengthened the fabric of the University of Evansville community.

Kenneth Steinsultz, Director of Bands and Professor of Music

Prior to coming to Evansville in 2008, Dr. Steinsultz served as assistant to the Director of Bands at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993-2008.  At the University of Evansville, Dr. Steinsultz conducts the UE Wind Ensemble, UE University/Community Band, Aces Pep Band, UE Low Brass Ensemble, and teaches courses in applied low brass and conducting. Under his leadership, the UE Wind Ensemble has performed, by invitation, for the Chicagoland Band Festival; the Indiana Music Educators Conference; and the College Band Directors National Association, North Central Division Conference. The UE Wind Ensemble has also recorded two compact discs during his tenure.

As a solo musician, Dr. Steinsultz was an invited guest artist for the International Tuba and Euphonium Association’s Midwest Conference in 2013 and 2015. In May 2022, he performed a recital at the Great Plains Regional ITEA conference on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Steinsultz also performed at the 2014 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference at Indiana University.

As an ensemble musician, he has performed with the Quincy (Illinois) Park Band, Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi River Brass Band, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Danville (Illinois) Symphony, Illinois Symphony of Springfield/Bloomington, Evansville Symphonic Band, Bend in the River Brass Band, and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dr. Steinsultz is a member of the College Band Director’s National Association, the National Band Association, the Indiana Bandmaster’s Association, the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, the International Trombone Association, and is an elected member of the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity. He holds degrees from Quincy University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Brian J. Swenty, Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering

Dr. Brian J. Swenty received his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida.  He joined the faculty at the University of Evansville in August 1993.  He served as Chair of the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department for twenty-one years and interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science for nineteen months.  He received the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Teaching Award (1997, 2010), the University of Evansville Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award (1998), Distinguished Service Award, Harlaxton College (2004), United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award (2006) Berger Award for Service (2010), and the College of Business and Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award (2022).

Dr. Swenty served on numerous faculty committees and university task forces.  He served on the Faculty Senate and chaired the university Curriculum Committee, the General Education Subcommittee, and the Enduring Foundation Task Force.  He is a licensed professional engineer in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, and California.  He has provided professional engineering services to government, industry, and private clients.  Dr. Swenty has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, engineering reports, guidelines, and manuals.  Prior to joining academia, he was director of the Missouri Dam & Reservoir Safety Program, a senior civil engineer with Stottler, Staff & Associates (Florida), and an officer in the United States Army.

SILVIS, Ill. – Three University of Evansville posted rounds in the 70’s as the Purple Aces rallied to finish 6^th at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Golf Championship at TPC at Deere Run.

Leading the way for UE was Kate Petrova. A 4-over 76 in Tuesday’s final round saw Petrova tie for 7^th place in the final standings. She completed the championship with a 232. For her efforts, Petrova was named to the All-MVC Team.

Coming in second for the Aces and tying for 25^th in the final rundown was Louise Standtke. Her 7-over 79 in the final 18 holes gave her a 241. It marked her low round of the tournament. Finishing one behind her was Jane Grankina. Her total of 80 on Tuesday gave her a 242 for the week. She tied for 27^th.

Next up was Trinity Dubbs. She carded an 86 in the last round to tie for 48^th place. Her final tally was a 258. After withdrawing from the first round, Elizabeth Mercer rallied to finish strong. After posting a 78 on Monday, Mercer registered a 79 in the last round.

Evansville rallied to finish 6^th in the final standings, just six strokes outside the top five. Murray State took the team championship as they overcame a 12-stroke deficit entering the final day. A team round at 13-over saw them defeat Bradley by a single stroke.

Belmont’s Sloane Biddle was the individual champion. Her final-round score of 75 saw her finish with a 222. She defeated the competition by seven shots.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The leading hitter for the University of Evansville softball team continued to roll as Niki Bode went 2-2 with two runs and two walks to help the Purple Aces take an 8-3 win over Northern Kentucky on Tuesday at Grein Field.

Bode led the way with two hits for UE while five others recorded one hit apiece. Jess Willsey scored two runs while driving in another. In the circle, Kate Ridgway recorded her 10^th win of the season. In seven innings, she allowed three runs on four hits while walking just one batter.

Evansville jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with three hits in the top half of the 1^st. Taylor Howe’s 1-out double was followed by a double from Bode to score the opening run of the game. With two outs, Morgan Adams’ single to left scored Bode to make it a 2-0 game. The Norse responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the score.

Maliyah Wilkins put UE back in front in the top of the 3^rd. Her sacrifice fly scored pinch runner Keghan Pye. Following a single run by NKU in the bottom of the 4^th, Evansville added to its lead in the top of the 5^th. Bode and pinch runner Dori Brown each scored on a fielding error by NKU to extend the lead to 6-3.

UE continued to build the lead as Ashtyn Holbrook picked up an RBI single while Keghan Pye’s RBI groundout plated the eighth run of the day. Ridgway took care of business from there holding the Norse two just two baserunners over the final three innings.

Next up for the Aces is a weekend trip to UIC.

ST. LOUIS – For the second time this season, Maliyah Wilkins has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week.

In five games over the last week, Wilkins batted .467 with two home runs, seven RBI, and three runs for the Purple Aces. The sophomore opened with a 2-3 effort against SEMO that saw her hit a home run in the 5-1 victory.

On Wednesday versus Western Kentucky, Wilkins came in as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded. She sent the first pitch she saw over the left field wall for a grand slam. In the final two games of the series at Bradley, Wilkins recorded two hits in each contest. She went 2-3 with an RBI and run in game two of the series before finishing the final going 2-4.

Wilkins was the MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week on Feb. 17.

SILVIS, Ill. – Day two of the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship saw Kate Petrova post the low score of the day for the University of Evansville at TPC at Deere Run.

Petrova completed Monday's second round with a 6-over 77. Combined with her opening round score of 79, Petrova is tied for 13th with a 156.

Louise Standtke and Jane Grankina are tied for 26^th with scores of 162. After recording an 82 in the opening round, Grankina lowered her score to an 80 in the second round. Standtke finished with an 82 on Monday after carding an 80 on Sunday.

Trinity Dubbs is in a tie for 47^th with a 172. She completed the second round with an 88. After withdrawing from Sunday’s round, Elizabeth Mercer was back on the course and shot a 78.

Evansville is in 8^th place with a 642 but within striking distance of a top five finish. UIC is in 5^th with a 639 while Indiana State and Southern Illinois are 6^th and 7^th with scores of 640 and 641, respectively.

Bradley holds the team lead with a 610. They are 12 strokes in front of Murray State heading into the final round. Sloane Biddie is the individual leader with a 147. She is four in front of the Braves’ Alyssa Mixon.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On Tuesday, the University of Evansville softball team travels to Northern Kentucky for a 3 p.m. CST game at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

Over the weekend, the Purple Aces took the final two games of their series at Bradley to improve to 11-10 in Missouri Valley Conference play. After dropping Friday’s opener, UE shut out the Braves in a 2-0 contest. The game began on Friday before weather halted play until Saturday.

Maliyah Wilkins scored the opening run of the game on an RBI single from Emma McDonald in the top of the 2^nd. One inning later, Wilkins’ RBI double brought in Taylor Howe to make it a 2-0 game. Alexis Tucker threw 6 1/3 shutout frames while Elle Jarrett recorded the final two outs to earn the save.

Saturday’s finale saw the Aces overcome a late Bradley rally to clinch the series with a 3-1 win. The first two runs scored in the top of the 2^nd. Angela Valentine’s single brought in Morgan Adams for the first run of the day before a Brooke Voss single scored Valentine to make it 2-0.

In the 4^th, Voss added her second RBI of the day as he double scored Valentine to give her squad an extra insurance run. Over the final innings, the Braves threatened to break through on multiple occasions. After loaded the bases in the 5^th, they stranded two runners in the 6^th. Down to their final three outs, Bradley plated their first run before loading the bases.

Kate Ridgway settled back in to record the final two outs to clinch her 9^th win of the season.

The University of Evansville (UE) is proud to announce that its renovated athletics facility will be named the Begle Family Sports Performance Center in recognition of the leadership giving of Trustee Curt Begle ’99 and his wife, Kelley Begle ’00.

The Board of Trustees approved the recognition unanimously during their February meeting and the Begle’s along with University leaders officially cut the ribbon during a ceremony on Friday.

The Begle family’s long-standing support has culminated in a major investment that will directly enhance the student-athlete experience. This project, funded entirely through private gifts, has already surpassed $800,000. The new facility will provide space for training, recovery, and development, serving all 300 student-athletes across UE’s 17 NCAA Division I programs.

Further enhancements to the space will focus on the holistic well-being of student-athletes, with an emphasis on nutrition and opportunities for engagement that strengthen community and team connections.

“When I first arrived at UE, it was clear to me that the greatest facility need for our entire department was a new sports performance center that could serve all 300 of our student-athletes.” said Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried. “The Begle Family Sports Performance Center will transform the student-athlete experience at UE and provide our coaches with a first-class tool for recruiting the brightest and best. We are deeply grateful to the Begle family and to all of our supporters who stepped forward to make this vision a reality,”

“This project will give all student-athletes the resources they need to grow physically and mentally, supporting their overall well-being and helping them perform at their best in every aspect of their college experience,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach David Ragland.

Curt Begle knows the impact this project will have firsthand. A forward on the Purple Aces men’s basketball team, he was part of the 1999 squad, the last UE team to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Since graduating from UE, Begle has become Chief Executive Officer of Magnera Corporation. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2019, is co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Plane Crash Task Force and is a highly involved member of the Athletic Director’s Council.

Kelley Meisler-Begle ’00, a former member of the cheer team and Acettes, has also been devoted to UE. She has hosted University events, supported multiple sports, and attended games courtside for years with Curt and their son, Crue. Together, Curt and Kelley have encouraged other donors to support the project and provided input on its design to ensure it meets the needs of student-athletes.

“Kelley and I know the lessons athletics instill last a lifetime, including teamwork, perseverance, and resilience,” said Begle. “UE made those lessons real for me, and it has been our privilege to give back. We are proud that this support will help every student-athlete pursue excellence here and step into the world ready to lead.”

Curt and Kelley Begle have shown how generosity can shape lives and strengthen community. Their legacy reflects a strong future for the University of Evansville, where ideas are launched and meaningful change takes root.

The University of Evansville (UE) is introducing new transfer-friendly policies designed to expand access to higher education and create more seamless pathways for students to earn a UE degree.

These updates reflect the University's continued commitment to removing barriers and increasing opportunity for students from a wide range of educational backgrounds.

"Our mission calls us to develop the intellectual and personal potential of every student," said UE Acting Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Kessler. "By enhancing our transfer policies, we are opening doors wider for students who are seeking a personalized, high-impact education that prepares them to change lives and change the world."

UE will now accept up to 90 credit hours from regionally accredited institutions, making it easier for transfer students to bring more of their previous coursework with them and stay on track to graduate. Most courses with a grade of C- or higher will be considered for transfer, helping students save both time and money. To earn a UE degree, students will complete at least 30 credit hours at the University, including their final 15, to ensure a meaningful on-campus academic experience. While some majors require sequenced upper-level courses that may affect timing, the policy is designed to balance flexibility with the quality of a UE education.

The initiative aligns with the University's broader strategic priorities to expand access for student success and strengthen partnerships with regional institutions. Students interested in transferring to the University of Evansville can learn more about the updated policies and admissions process at the UE transfer admissions page.