University of Southern Indiana

University of Southern Indiana
Motto	Live Wisely
Established	1965
Type	Public
Endowment	US $66 million
President	Linda L. M. Bennett
Academic staff	821
Students	10,820
Undergraduates	9,879
Postgraduates	941
Location	Vanderburgh County, Indiana, USA
Campus	Suburban: 1,400 acres (6 km2)
Athletics	13 Division II NCAA teams, called Screaming Eagles
Colors	Red, White, and Blue
Mascot	Archibald Eagle (Archie)
Website	www.usi.edu

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-acre (1.2 km²) suburban campus situated within wooded rolling hills.

History

Regional campus

The University of Southern Indiana began in 1965 as a regional branch of Indiana State University, 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.

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 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.

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 Indiana. 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

Rice Library.

Fountain and plaza area.

In 1967, the Southern Indiana Higher Education, Inc., (SIHE) acquired 1,400 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 1,100 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, Red Mango, 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)

Academics

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 provost 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.

School Media

The university contains within it, three media outlets including the award winning The Edge/WSWI 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 Review, 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.

Greek life

Fraternities:

• Tau Kappa Epsilon (Since 1970)
• Lambda Chi Alpha (Since 1981)
• Phi Delta Theta (Since 1986)
• Alpha Sigma Phi (Since 1998)
• Kappa Alpha Order (Since 2003)
• Sigma Pi (Since 2007)
• Sigma Tau Gamma (Returned 2010)

Sororities:

• Alpha Sigma Alpha (Since 1972)
• Delta Zeta (Since 1975)
• Gamma Phi Beta (Since 1998)
• Delta Sigma Theta

Former Fraternities and Sororities:

• Sigma Sigma Sigma
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Athletics

Also see: Sports in Evansville.

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:

• 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 (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.^{[citation needed]}

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 Pearl 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 Ellsworth (Democrat), former member of the United States House of Representatives in the 110th Congress, Indiana's 8th congressional district and former Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

ENTERTAINMENT

• AJ Alexander, Playboy's Playmate of the Month of May 2008, also appeared in the television series, The Girls Next Door and in the movie The Pool Boys
• Megan Alexis, Playboy's Student Body Edition
• Dale Carter, Inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame 2010
• Vince Russo, former booker for WCW and WWF; current booker for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling; briefly held WCW's World Heavyweight Championship.

EDUCATION

• Robert Titzer, 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 Mastroianni, 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

Outreach

Historic New Harmony

In cooperation with the Indiana State Museum 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.

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, cooperative, 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 Association, 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 Indiana. 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