University of Southern Indiana
Encyclopedia
The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a public university
in Vanderburgh County, Indiana
. This publicly funded institution has been among the fastest growing
comprehensive state universities in Indiana. Record fall enrollment in 2010 reached 10,702. The University has a modern 300 acres (1.2 km²) suburban campus situated within wooded rolling hills.
, which is located in Terre Haute
. Classes were originally held in a former elementary school on the west side of Evansville
known as Centennial School – denoting the year it was built in 1876. The property was leased from Bristol-Myers Squibb
, which still has a large facility nearby.
In 1971, the school moved to its current campus in western Vanderburgh County. The first buildings constructed were the Science Center and the Wright Administration Building. Slowly the school built facilities, as funding became available during the Indiana State University-Evansville period.
Opposition came immediately from Indiana State University along with Indiana University
and Purdue, which were concerned that granting the campus independence would set a precedent for other small branch campuses around the state. However, the local campus continued to rally support from state legislators, business leaders, and local groups.
In 1985, independence was finally granted when Governor Robert D. Orr
, an Evansville native, signed the school's charter and started a new chapter as the University of Southern Indiana. Since gaining its independence, USI's growth has continued to where it is now the fastest growing comprehensive university in the state. The University established student housing, diversified the programs offered, and enrollment has more than doubled since gaining its independence.
. Annual credit enrollment is expected to exceed 11,000 in the next five years. The University serves an additional 9,000 persons annually through comprehensive noncredit programs of short duration.
Nearly all students who live on campus (with the exception of some freshmen who are housed in modern suite-style facilities) are assigned apartments with full kitchens.
In 1967, the Southern Indiana Higher Education, Inc., (SIHE) acquired 1400 acres (6 km²). Since September 1969, the University has occupied 300 acres (1.2 km²), most of which was donated by SIHE. Southern Indiana Higher Education, Inc. still owns 1100 acres (4 km²) for development of higher education opportunities.
A new building for the School of Business, opened in 1990, was named the Orr Center in honor of Governor Robert D. Orr
, an Evansville native. Since then, four other large buildings have been built for the Liberal Arts
, Nursing
, and Education
divisions, as well as a large fitness center for students and faculty. The number of classrooms has more than doubled since the campus was first opened, but the University is still planning for continued growth.
Construction is complete on the David L. Rice Library, which opened in the fall semester of 2006. The building is five stories and features computer access, study tables/rooms, and copy machines located on each floor. With the growth of extracurricular organizations, the administration chose to convert the old library building into an extension of the University Center and is connected by an elevated walkway. A new Business and Engineering Center is being built along with several other construction and renovation projects.
Food Service is provided by Sodexo, Inc. Eateries include Burger King, Archie's Pizza, Sub Connection, Starbuck's, Simply-To-Go, Cyclone Salads, Salsa Rico, and The Loft. An on-campus convenience store, Eagle Express, is also run by Sodexo.
Major Facilities
and vice president for Academic Affairs. The Indiana University School of Medicine
- Evansville Center, housed in the Health Professions Center, is one of eight regional divisions throughout the state. The center provides classes for first- and second-year medical students. President Linda L. M. Bennett
is a noted political scientist and joint-author with her husband Stephen Earl Bennett of Living with Leviathan: Americans Coming to Terms with Big Government.
radio station, SETV12 the student-run television station and The Shield student newspaper. All programs are completely student-run entities within the campus that deal with student and community related topics and discussions.
, a national literary journal. Stories published in the Southern Indiana Review have been anthologized in the Best American Short Stories
and the Best American Essays.
Sororities:
Former Fraternities and Sororities:
The University of Southern Indiana Athletic Department is a competitive member of the NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference
. USI sponsors 15 varsity intercollegiate sports. Since 1990, all 15 Screaming Eagles teams have participated in their respective national tournaments and/or were ranked at the national level. USI has claimed two national championships (men's basketball, 1995 under head coach Bruce Pearl
; men's baseball under coach Tracy Archuleta, 2010), finished three times as the national finalist (men's basketball, 1994 and 2004; and women's basketball, 1997), and earned one third-place finish (men's cross country, 1982). The men's and women's cross country/track teams have produced six national championships since 1997:
The Screaming Eagles won the 2003-04 GLVC All-Sports Trophy by nine points, the largest margin of victory since Lewis University edged USI by 9.5 points in 1986-87. In the 25 year history of the trophy, USI has finished first three times (2003–04, 1993–94, 1982–83); second nine times; third twice; and fourth three times.
Tragedy struck the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles men's basketball team on Thursday, January 14, 2010, when 6-foot-8, 260-pound senior post player Jeron Lewis, 21, fell around 9:05 PM during a play in a game at the Owensboro Sportscenter against Kentucky Wesleyan College
(which ultimately ended with USI winning 74-69. Afterwards, he went into convulsions as he was being tended to by trainers, which stopped when he was put on a gurney. He was taken by ambulance to Owensboro Medical Health System, but he was pronounced dead at 9:52 PM. His teammates and coaches were told 30 minutes later. An autopsy was scheduled by Daviess County, Kentucky
coroner Bob Howe; it was discovered that the death may have been cardiac-related (possibly due to a disease of the heart that caused an enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly
). Lewis had earlier missed two games in December to be in his Fort Wayne, Indiana
hometown for the birth of his son. He was a transfer from Northeastern Junior College
in Colorado. In a statement, university president Linda Bennett said that he had been an excellent example of a student-athlete for his colleagues.
left for the head coaching job at UW–Milwaukee in 2001.
USI discovered that Herdes had committed six violations of NCAA recruiting and academic eligibility rules; when the announcement was made Herdes promptly resigned.
Violations and results are as followed:
Three of the violations are related to extra benefits concerning transportation, one concerning academics, and the last concerning improper communication with a prospective student athlete.
1. Two players are deemed ineligible from the beginning of the 2008-09 season. Reinstatement of the student athletes by the NCAA remains a possibility.
2. Forfeiture of all men's basketball games from the 2008-09 season.
3. Return of $9,362 in funds provided by the NCAA Division II for the men’s basketball team’s participation in the 2009 NCAA Division II Tournament.
USI Athletic Director Jon Mark Hall went on record as saying:
"Integrity and compliance are two of the cornerstones of all of our programs. I feel that the issues are contained within the men’s basketball program alone. We will do what is right and will address mistakes that have been made, no matter what the outcome is. This men’s basketball program has a great tradition. We will begin a search immediately for someone to lead this program.”
ENTERTAINMENT
EDUCATION
SPORTS
and Historic Sites, USI manages programs and properties in Historic New Harmony
, site of two historic communal societies of the early 19th century, the Harmony Society
and the Robert Owen
/William Mclure communal experiment.
, and co-housing communities founded since 1965. Noted communal scholars have donated their private collections and their extensive research notes and papers to the center archives.
, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
In fall 2007, USI Theatre partnered with The New Harmony Theatre on The Repertory Project, which allows top Theatre students to perform with Equity actors. Student actors and stage managers involved in The Repertory Project earn points toward joining the union, a membership that is considered the “gold standard” for theatre professionals.
. As a community outreach program of the University of Southern Indiana, HSI hosts workshops, produces publications, conducts visitor research, and facilitates and coordinates with many groups and agencies with the goal of creating a sense of regional identity and pride.
The Heritage Area contains numerous sites of historical significance, including Vincennes, Corydon, New Harmony, Madison, and Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home. Forests, caves, rivers, and lakes offer scenic beauty and recreational activities.
Public university
A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
in Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Vanderburgh County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 171,922 people, 70,623 households, and 44,421 families residing in the county. The population density was 733 people per square mile . There were 76,300 housing units at an average density of 325 per square mile...
. This publicly funded institution has been among the fastest growing
comprehensive state universities in Indiana. Record fall enrollment in 2010 reached 10,702. The University has a modern 300 acres (1.2 km²) suburban campus situated within wooded rolling hills.
Regional campus
The University of Southern Indiana began in 1965 as a regional branch of Indiana State UniversityIndiana State University
Indiana State University is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States.The Princeton Review has named Indiana State as one of the "Best in the Midwest" seven years running, and the College of Education's Graduate Program was recently named as a 'Top 100' by U.S...
, which is located in Terre Haute
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
. Classes were originally held in a former elementary school on the west side of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
known as Centennial School – denoting the year it was built in 1876. The property was leased from Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb , often referred to as BMS, is a pharmaceutical company, headquartered in New York City. The company was formed in 1989, following the merger of its predecessors Bristol-Myers and the Squibb Corporation...
, which still has a large facility nearby.
In 1971, the school moved to its current campus in western Vanderburgh County. The first buildings constructed were the Science Center and the Wright Administration Building. Slowly the school built facilities, as funding became available during the Indiana State University-Evansville period.
Independence
The relationship with Indiana State University was an awkward one from the start. Local leaders, who were not pleased with the level of support, contended that if the campus was to thrive it would need to gain independent status. A coordinated effort was made to establish the campus as an independent state university.Opposition came immediately from Indiana State University along with Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
and Purdue, which were concerned that granting the campus independence would set a precedent for other small branch campuses around the state. However, the local campus continued to rally support from state legislators, business leaders, and local groups.
In 1985, independence was finally granted when Governor Robert D. Orr
Robert D. Orr
Robert Dunkerson Orr was an American political leader and the 45th Governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party.-Early life:...
, an Evansville native, signed the school's charter and started a new chapter as the University of Southern Indiana. Since gaining its independence, USI's growth has continued to where it is now the fastest growing comprehensive university in the state. The University established student housing, diversified the programs offered, and enrollment has more than doubled since gaining its independence.
University expansion
In October, 2006, the University completed a master plan that provides the framework to double the size of the school and support a campus of over 20,000 students. The master plan features key planning principles to guide the University and help it create a cohesive campus as it continues to grow.Student body
Over 10,500 students enrolled at USI in the fall of 2009. Although the student population is largely local and regional, the international student population is growing each year. The University reported students came from 90 Indiana counties, 36 other states, and 42 other nations for the 2006-2007 academic year. Additionally, more than 15,000 people participate annually in continuing education courses and special programs sponsored by the Division of Extended Services. Over 20,000 students have graduated since 1971. Nearly 75% of USI's graduates remain in IndianaIndiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. Annual credit enrollment is expected to exceed 11,000 in the next five years. The University serves an additional 9,000 persons annually through comprehensive noncredit programs of short duration.
Nearly all students who live on campus (with the exception of some freshmen who are housed in modern suite-style facilities) are assigned apartments with full kitchens.
Campus
A new building for the School of Business, opened in 1990, was named the Orr Center in honor of Governor Robert D. Orr
Robert D. Orr
Robert Dunkerson Orr was an American political leader and the 45th Governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party.-Early life:...
, an Evansville native. Since then, four other large buildings have been built for the Liberal Arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
, Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
, and Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
divisions, as well as a large fitness center for students and faculty. The number of classrooms has more than doubled since the campus was first opened, but the University is still planning for continued growth.
Construction is complete on the David L. Rice Library, which opened in the fall semester of 2006. The building is five stories and features computer access, study tables/rooms, and copy machines located on each floor. With the growth of extracurricular organizations, the administration chose to convert the old library building into an extension of the University Center and is connected by an elevated walkway. A new Business and Engineering Center is being built along with several other construction and renovation projects.
Food Service is provided by Sodexo, Inc. Eateries include Burger King, Archie's Pizza, Sub Connection, Starbuck's, Simply-To-Go, Cyclone Salads, Salsa Rico, and The Loft. An on-campus convenience store, Eagle Express, is also run by Sodexo.
Major Facilities
- Byron C. Wright Administration Building (1969)
- Science Center (1969), expanded (2003)
- Former Library (1971)
- University Center (1974); expanded (1996); expanded (2011)
- Technology Center (1975)
- Physical Activities Center (1980)
- Robert D. Orr Center (1990)
- Frank F. McDonald Apartment Complex (1994)
- Joseph E. O’Daniel Apartment Complex (1994)
- Health Professions Center (1995)
- Liberal Arts Center (1999)
- Art Studio (1999)
- Newman Hall (1999)
- Governors Hall (2000)
- Recreation and Fitness Center (2001), expanded (2009)
- O’Bannon Hall (2001)
- Education Center (2003)
- Ruston Hall (2004)
- David L. Rice Library (2006)
- Residence Life Community Center (2008)
- Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries (2008)
- Ceramics Center (2009)
- Business and Engineering Center (2010)
Faculty
USI reported in the 2006-2007 academic year that it employed 557 full-time faculty, lecturers, and academic administrators, and 264 part-time faculty. Each college is led by a dean who reports to the provostProvost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
and vice president for Academic Affairs. The Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
The Indiana University School of Medicine is a leading medical school and medical research powerhouse connected to Indiana University. With several teaching campuses in the state, the School of Medicine has its predominant research and medical center at the Indiana University – Purdue University...
- Evansville Center, housed in the Health Professions Center, is one of eight regional divisions throughout the state. The center provides classes for first- and second-year medical students. President Linda L. M. Bennett
Linda L. M. Bennett
Linda Louise M. Bennett was named president of the University of Southern Indiana by its Board of Trustees effective 2009 July 1, incumbent president H...
is a noted political scientist and joint-author with her husband Stephen Earl Bennett of Living with Leviathan: Americans Coming to Terms with Big Government.
School Media
The university contains within it, three media outlets including the award winning 820 The Edge/WSWIWSWI
WSWI is a radio station broadcasting an Alternative format. Licensed to Evansville, Indiana, USA, the station serves the Evansville area...
radio station, SETV12 the student-run television station and The Shield student newspaper. All programs are completely student-run entities within the campus that deal with student and community related topics and discussions.
Special programs
The university hosts a Center for Interdisciplinary Studies department (CINS) incorporating International Studies, Humanities, Gender Studies, and Classical Studies. The director is Patricia Aakhus.Orientation Leaders
The university has a staff of around 40 leaders that they call AMIGOS which stands for Ask Me I Give Orientation. The students are selected in the Fall semester and undergo training in the Spring in preparation to welcome new screaming eagles throughout the semester and in the summer.Accreditation
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and carries several discipline-specific accreditations as well.Publications
USI is home to the Southern Indiana ReviewSouthern Indiana Review
Southern Indiana Review is a literary magazine produced at the University of Southern Indiana since 1994. The journal is known for its Mary C. Mohr Awards in fiction, nonfiction and poetry...
, a national literary journal. Stories published in the Southern Indiana Review have been anthologized in the Best American Short Stories
Best American Short Stories
The Best American Short Stories yearly anthology is a part of The Best American Series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Since 1915, the BASS anthology has striven to contain the best short stories by some of the best-known writers in contemporary American literature.-Edward O'Brien:The...
and the Best American Essays.
Greek life
Fraternities:- Tau Kappa EpsilonTau Kappa EpsilonTau Kappa Epsilon is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent...
(Since 1970) - Lambda Chi AlphaLambda Chi AlphaLambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
(Since 1981) - Phi Delta ThetaPhi Delta ThetaPhi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
(Since 1986) - Alpha Sigma PhiAlpha Sigma PhiAlpha Sigma Phi Fraternity is a social fraternity with 71 active chapters and 9 colonies. Founded at Yale in 1845, it is the 10th oldest fraternity in the United States....
(Since 1998) - Kappa Alpha OrderKappa Alpha OrderKappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
(Since 2003) - Sigma PiSigma PiSigma Pi is an international college secret and social fraternity founded in 1897 at Vincennes University. Sigma Pi International fraternity currently has 127 chapters and 4 colonies in the United States and Canada and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee...
(Since 2007) - Sigma Tau GammaSigma Tau GammaSigma Tau Gamma Fraternity also named "Sig Tau" or "the Knights" is a U.S. all-male college secret-social fraternity founded on June 28, 1920 at University of Central Missouri...
(Returned 2010)
Sororities:
- Alpha Sigma AlphaAlpha Sigma AlphaAlpha Sigma Alpha is a US national sorority founded on November 15, 1901 at the Virginia State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia...
(Since 1972) - Delta ZetaDelta ZetaDelta Zeta is an international college sorority founded on October 24, 1902, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Delta Zeta has 158 collegiate chapters in the United States and over 200 alumnae chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada...
(Since 1975) - Gamma Phi BetaGamma Phi BetaGamma Phi Beta is an international sorority that was founded on November 11, 1874, at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. The term "sorority," meaning sisterhood, was coined for Gamma Phi Beta by Dr. Frank Smalley, a professor at Syracuse University.The four founders are Helen M. Dodge,...
(Since 1998) - Delta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
Former Fraternities and Sororities:
- Sigma Sigma SigmaSigma Sigma SigmaSigma Sigma Sigma , also known as Tri Sigma, is a national American women’s sorority with membership of more than 100,000 members. Sigma Sigma Sigma is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference and hosts chapters on more than 110 college campuses and 89 alumnae chapters in communities all...
- Sigma Alpha EpsilonSigma Alpha EpsilonSigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
Athletics
- Also see: Sports in EvansvilleSports in EvansvilleEvansville, Indiana, USA is the home of two minor league professional, two semi-professional, and three amateur sports teams. The city is also the home to two NCAA collegiate teams, and nine high schools that participate in the Indiana High School Athletic Association...
.
The University of Southern Indiana Athletic Department is a competitive member of the NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference
Great Lakes Valley Conference
The Great Lakes Valley Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes at the NCAA's Division II level. Member institutions are located in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin....
. USI sponsors 15 varsity intercollegiate sports. Since 1990, all 15 Screaming Eagles teams have participated in their respective national tournaments and/or were ranked at the national level. USI has claimed two national championships (men's basketball, 1995 under head coach Bruce Pearl
Bruce Pearl
Bruce Dean-Fredrick Pearl is an American college basketball coach who most recently served as head coach of the University of Tennessee Volunteers men's team. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he obtained his first position as an assistant basketball coach. He was the first coach to lead...
; men's baseball under coach Tracy Archuleta, 2010), finished three times as the national finalist (men's basketball, 1994 and 2004; and women's basketball, 1997), and earned one third-place finish (men's cross country, 1982). The men's and women's cross country/track teams have produced six national championships since 1997:
- Elly Rono won three individual titles (1997 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships, 1998 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 5,000 Meters, and 1998 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 10,000 m).
- Heather Cooksey won the 2004 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 3,000 Meters.
- Candace Perry won the 2005 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the Long Jump.
- Mary Ballinger won the 2008 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in ght 3,000 Meter Steeplechase.
The Screaming Eagles won the 2003-04 GLVC All-Sports Trophy by nine points, the largest margin of victory since Lewis University edged USI by 9.5 points in 1986-87. In the 25 year history of the trophy, USI has finished first three times (2003–04, 1993–94, 1982–83); second nine times; third twice; and fourth three times.
Tragedy struck the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles men's basketball team on Thursday, January 14, 2010, when 6-foot-8, 260-pound senior post player Jeron Lewis, 21, fell around 9:05 PM during a play in a game at the Owensboro Sportscenter against Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri...
(which ultimately ended with USI winning 74-69. Afterwards, he went into convulsions as he was being tended to by trainers, which stopped when he was put on a gurney. He was taken by ambulance to Owensboro Medical Health System, but he was pronounced dead at 9:52 PM. His teammates and coaches were told 30 minutes later. An autopsy was scheduled by Daviess County, Kentucky
Daviess County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 91,545 people, 36,033 households, and 24,826 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 38,432 housing units at an average density of...
coroner Bob Howe; it was discovered that the death may have been cardiac-related (possibly due to a disease of the heart that caused an enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly is a medical condition wherein the heart is enlarged. It is generally categorized in the following manner:* Cardiomegaly due to dilation* Cardiomegaly due to ventricular hypertrophy** Left ventricular hypertrophy...
). Lewis had earlier missed two games in December to be in his Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
hometown for the birth of his son. He was a transfer from Northeastern Junior College
Northeastern Junior College
Northeastern Community College is a two-year junior college located in Sterling, Colorado, in the United States. It is a member college of the Colorado Community College System.-Academics:...
in Colorado. In a statement, university president Linda Bennett said that he had been an excellent example of a student-athlete for his colleagues.
Men's Basketball Controversy
On May 13, 2009, USI submitted to the NCAA a list of NCAA rules violations committed by the men's basketball coaching staff, including Head Coach Rick Herdes. Herdes had posted a 200-59 record after taking over as head coach when Bruce PearlBruce Pearl
Bruce Dean-Fredrick Pearl is an American college basketball coach who most recently served as head coach of the University of Tennessee Volunteers men's team. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he obtained his first position as an assistant basketball coach. He was the first coach to lead...
left for the head coaching job at UW–Milwaukee in 2001.
USI discovered that Herdes had committed six violations of NCAA recruiting and academic eligibility rules; when the announcement was made Herdes promptly resigned.
Violations and results are as followed:
Three of the violations are related to extra benefits concerning transportation, one concerning academics, and the last concerning improper communication with a prospective student athlete.
1. Two players are deemed ineligible from the beginning of the 2008-09 season. Reinstatement of the student athletes by the NCAA remains a possibility.
2. Forfeiture of all men's basketball games from the 2008-09 season.
3. Return of $9,362 in funds provided by the NCAA Division II for the men’s basketball team’s participation in the 2009 NCAA Division II Tournament.
USI Athletic Director Jon Mark Hall went on record as saying:
"Integrity and compliance are two of the cornerstones of all of our programs. I feel that the issues are contained within the men’s basketball program alone. We will do what is right and will address mistakes that have been made, no matter what the outcome is. This men’s basketball program has a great tradition. We will begin a search immediately for someone to lead this program.”
Notable alumni
GOVERNMENT- Brad EllsworthBrad EllsworthJohn Bradley "Brad" Ellsworth is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 until 2011, and was the unsuccessful 2010 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate seat currently held by Dan Coats...
(Democrat), former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in the 110th Congress110th United States CongressThe One Hundred Tenth United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2009, during the last two years of the second term of President George W. Bush. It was composed of the Senate and the House of...
, Indiana's 8th congressional districtIndiana's 8th congressional districtIndiana's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in Southwest and west central Indiana, the district is anchored in Evansville and also includes Terre Haute, Vincennes and Washington....
and former SheriffSheriffA sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Vanderburgh County, IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
ENTERTAINMENT
- AJ Alexander, Playboy's Playmate of the Month of May 2008, also appeared in the television series, The Girls Next DoorThe Girls Next DoorThe Girls Next Door, also known as The Girls of the Playboy Mansion, is an American reality television series broadcast on the E! cable television network...
and in the movie The Pool Boys - Megan Alexis, Playboy's Student Body Edition
- Dale CarterDale CarterDale Lavelle Carter is a former American football cornerback who played for the Kansas City Chiefs , Denver Broncos , Minnesota Vikings , New Orleans Saints , and Baltimore Ravens ....
, Inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame 2010 - Vince RussoVince RussoVincent James "Vince" Russo is an American creative writer and author, well known for his work in the professional wrestling industry. He is notable for his tenure with World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, former booker for WCWWorld Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
and WWFWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
; current booker for Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
; briefly held WCW's World Heavyweight Championship.
EDUCATION
- Robert TitzerRobert TitzerRobert C. Titzer is an American professor and infant researcher. He has been a professor, teacher, and public speaker on human learning for around 20 years, and has taught his own children to read using the multi-sensory approach that he developed...
, Author and Inventor of the book series, Your Baby Can Read.
SPORTS
- Jamar Smith, professional basketball player. Signed by the Boston Celtics and assigned to the Maine Red Claws.
- Kevin Brown, professional baseball player. Played from 1996 to 2002 with the BlueJays, Brewers, Rangers and RedSox.
- Darin MastroianniDarin MastroianniDarin Paul Mastroianni is a right-handed major league baseball center fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays....
, professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays. Drafted in 16th round of the 2007 MLB Player Draft. - Taylor Dennis, professional baseball player. Drafted in 2011 by the Texas Rangers
- Jeremy Kehrt, professional baseball player. Drafted in 2008 by the Boston Red Sox
- Alex Thieroff, professional baseball player. Signed with Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jeff Schulz, professional baseball player. Played for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1989.
- Ilo Mutombo, brother of Dikembe Mutombo, played college basketball for USI and co-starred with Kevin Bacon in the movie "The Air Up There".
- Cortez Collins, Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1979
- John Hollinden, Drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1981
Historic New Harmony
In cooperation with the Indiana State MuseumIndiana State Museum
The Indiana State Museum is a museum located within White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The museum houses exhibits on the history of Indiana from prehistoric times up to the present day. It has one of the four IMAX theaters in the state of Indiana.-History:The museum was started...
and Historic Sites, USI manages programs and properties in Historic New Harmony
New Harmony, Indiana
New Harmony is a historic town on the Wabash River in Harmony Township, Posey County, Indiana, United States. It lies north of Mount Vernon, the county seat. The population was 916 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Evansville metropolitan area. Many of the old Harmonist buildings still stand...
, site of two historic communal societies of the early 19th century, the Harmony Society
Harmony Society
The Harmony Society was a Christian theosophy and pietist society founded in Iptingen, Germany, in 1785. Due to religious persecution by the Lutheran Church and the government in Württemberg, the Harmony Society moved to the United States on October 7, 1803, initially purchasing of land in Butler...
and the Robert Owen
Robert Owen
Robert Owen was a Welsh social reformer and one of the founders of utopian socialism and the cooperative movement.Owen's philosophy was based on three intellectual pillars:...
/William Mclure communal experiment.
Center for Communal Studies
The USI Center for Communal Studies is a clearinghouse for information, a research facility, and a sponsor of activities related to historic and contemporary intentional communities. The center encourages and facilitates meetings, classes, scholarships, publications, networking and public interest in communal groups past and present, here and abroad. The center archives contain primary and secondary materials on more than 100 historic communes and several hundred collective, cooperativeCooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
, and co-housing communities founded since 1965. Noted communal scholars have donated their private collections and their extensive research notes and papers to the center archives.
The New Harmony Theatre
The New Harmony Theatre is a professional theatre operating under an agreement with Actors' Equity AssociationActors' Equity Association
The Actors' Equity Association , commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing the world of live theatrical performance, as opposed to film and television performance. However, performers appearing on live stage productions without a book or...
, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
In fall 2007, USI Theatre partnered with The New Harmony Theatre on The Repertory Project, which allows top Theatre students to perform with Equity actors. Student actors and stage managers involved in The Repertory Project earn points toward joining the union, a membership that is considered the “gold standard” for theatre professionals.
Historic Southern Indiana
Historic Southern Indiana (HSI) is an outreach organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing, and promoting the abundant historical, natural, and recreational resources of southern IndianaSouthern Indiana
Southern Indiana, in the United States, consists of the 33 counties located in the southernmost part of the state. The region's history and geography has led to a blend of Northern and Southern culture distinct from the remainder of Indiana. It is often considered to be part of the Upland South...
. As a community outreach program of the University of Southern Indiana, HSI hosts workshops, produces publications, conducts visitor research, and facilitates and coordinates with many groups and agencies with the goal of creating a sense of regional identity and pride.
The Heritage Area contains numerous sites of historical significance, including Vincennes, Corydon, New Harmony, Madison, and Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home. Forests, caves, rivers, and lakes offer scenic beauty and recreational activities.
Center for Applied Research
The Center for Applied Research (CAR) works with businesses and organizations throughout the region to conduct research, consulting, and other applied projects.External links
- Official website
- Official athletics website
- Campus map
- The Shield University of Southern Indiana Student Newspaper