Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The University of Evansville will celebrates its 161st birthday on Founders Day on Sunday, February 15. Founders Day marks the incorporation of Moores Hill College, its move to Evansville, the charter as Evansville College, and officially becoming the University of Evansville. Since all four dates fall between February 10 and 19, Founders Day is always celebrated in February.

This Founders Day will begin with a convocation and worship service at 10:30 a.m. in Neu Chapel. The service, open to the public, features the Edgar M. McKown Lecture, given this year by James MacLeod, UE professor of history. His topic will be “Holding Aloft the Lamp.”

MacLeod has an MA and PhD from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He taught history at Harlaxton College from 1994 to 1999 before coming to UE. He has received both the United Methodist Institutions outstanding teacher award and the University’s Outstanding Teacher Award.

Also during the service, five new UE full professors will be recognized.

Cris Hochwender, PhD, Department of Biology

Hochwender has a BA in biology from Cornell College, and an MS and PhD in biology from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He maintains an impressive scholarship program, and has taken on responsibilities at both University and department levels.

Alan Kaiser, PhD, Department of Archaeology and Art History

Kaiser has a BA in history and anthropology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and a PhD in archaeology at Boston University. He has made impressive professional contributions, has many teaching recognitions and is engaged in the UE community.

Kyle Kiesel, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy

Kiesel has a BS in physical education at the University of Nebraska, Kearney, an MPT from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and a PhD from the University of Kentucky. He is recognized world-wide for his expertise in low back pain, and has received the Dean’s Teaching Award.

Annette Parks, PhD, Department of History

Parks has a BA in history from Oglethorpe University, and an MA and PhD in history from Emory University. Chair of the Department of History, she mentors UE students for regional and national conferences, and has been a member of the Human Relations Committee and Gender and Women’s Studies.

Mark Shifflet, PhD, Department of Communication

Shifflet has a BA in mass communications from Abilene Christian University, an MA in telecommunications from Michigan State University, and a PhD from Rutgers University. His travels in China as a Fulbright Scholar resulted in a report to the US Department of Education and the National Committee for US-China relations. He has served as Department of Communication chair.

Founders Day concludes with the Alumni Awards Luncheon at noon. Registration for the luncheon is available and can be found online.

During the luncheon, the University of Evansville Alumni Association will present four alumni awards.

Distinguished Alumna Award: Carrie Preston, UE graduate and actress who has appeared in such TV shows as True Blood and The Good Wife, and the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding.

Young Alumnus Award: UE graduate Brian Revalee, United Way administrator and community leader of Oxford, Ohio.

Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award: UE graduates Robert and Judith Wargel of Evansville, retired chemists who serve on UE’s Science Advisory Council

Samuel Orr Honorary Alumni Award: Jean Beckman, professor emeritus of chemistry and former dean of arts and sciences at UE

The University’s John Wesley Gallery will be open Founders Day from 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This John Wesley Methodist Commemorative Collection is believed to be the world’s second largest private collection of items related to John Wesley and Methodism. The oldest item in the collection dates back to 1745.

Share this article: