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| FAST FACTS:
Location: Evansville, Indiana
Enrollment: 10,820
Alumni: 30,000+ 70 undergraduate majors, 10 master's programs, and 1 doctoral degree are offered at USI Over 80 Student Organizations on campus, 4% of student population is Greek Evansville is an easy drive from Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, and St. Louis |
USI = Student Success
This year the University of Southern Indiana surpasses the 30,000 mark in total graduates since its founding in 1965. Here are stories about a few of the individuals whose accomplishments reflect the value of a USI education. Quotes from current students are included to give a sense of academic and student life at USI.
"I'd rate my USI education a '10.' I'm glad I elected, as a freshman, to live on the Emerging Leaders floor in the Living-Learning Community because I met many students and my mentor, who has helped me in career development.
Students can contribute much to campus life. I tell freshmen they can leave USI better than they found it, if they get involved."
Emily Severeid '12, political science
Student ambassador and orientation leader;
president of Delta Zeta social sorority
Career interest: higher education administration
Michael Patzer '09, finance, is co-founder of Orange Group Apps, a company that develops software for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac. The company recently released Animatopoeia, an app that allows users to explore the world of language through the use of animal onomatopoeia. TVM Financial Calculator, also developed by Orange Group Apps, allows users to solve "Time Value of Money" equations involving an equal series of payments over time. Both apps are available in the iTunes App Store. At USI, Patzer was an Honors student, President's Medal finalist, and member of the Environmental Stewardship Committee. He currently resides in Palo Alto, California.
"My days are busy doing things that I love. Since I live on campus, I can connect with my friends, roommates, and classmates and also truly feel like a member of the USI community. USI has given me an amazing college experience: it has strengthened me as an individual and expanded my sense of independence. But since my family lives close by, it's just a quick drive to see them. Being from the area but choosing to live on-campus has given me the best of both
worlds: support from my family and connection to my university. If I was a high-school senior once again, my decision to attend USI would not change. The campus is beautiful, clean, and modern. The professors are truly accessible educators and put your student success first. The administration is devoted to increasing USI's visibility in the community and the country. USI will put you first - it offers so many opportunities for involvement, volunteering, tutoring, student support and practical education – and you just have to reach out and take it!
With all of this support, I feel well-prepared to be a successful, fun, and knowledgeable English teacher."
Kaitie Webster '12, English education
President, Student Housing Association
College Mentors for Kids, Big Buddy group leader, orientation leader, and osecretary of Student Alumni Association
"I took advantage of a student research funding opportunity. Five other students, two faculty members, and I traveled to the Dominican Republic this summer to study African influences on the Dominican culture. I conducted interviews in Spanish, created transcripts of the interviews, translated them into English, and wrote reports on my findings. I like to challenge myself and apply what I learn. I have had many opportunities at USI in the classroom and through getting involved. I couldn't have asked for a better experience."
Ashley Elpers '12, Spanish and international studies
Ritual chairwoman and standards, Gamma Phi Beta
social sorority
AMIGO, two years and clerk for Student Government Association
Honors Program;
Career interest: nonprofit leadership and English as Second
Language teacher
Brad Morton '92, electrical engineering technology, is president of Morton Solar and Wind, LLC, a NABCEP certified renewable energy systems designer and installer based in Evansville. He started his first business, Industrial Control Engineering, in 2003, founded Morton Energy three years later, and renamed the company Morton Solar and Wind in 2009. He has installed solar and wind systems throughout the region, including photovoltaic systems on the Ohio Township Public Library in Newburgh, Central Library in downtown Evansville, and the net-zero Chrisney Public Library in Chrisney, Indiana. He installed the first solar system in downtown Evansville at VPS Architecture, and the city's first wind energy project - a grid-tied wind turbine – at Englebrecht Orchards. In 2009 he received the Energy Patriot Award from Senator Richard Lugar. In 2010, his company was awarded a $2.16 million contract to work on the first net-zero elementary school in the U.S. with the the largest photovoltaic system in Kentucky. Morton Solar and Wind won the 2010 Green Business of the Year Award from the Hoosier Environmental Council. Morton serves on the USI Alumni Council and is involved with the USI Engineering Advisory Board.
Monika Wathen '11, psychology and Spanish, studied abroad in China and Argentina fully immersing herself into the cultures and languages of both countries. She became interested in international culture as a USI freshman, when she was placed in the Global Community Living-Learning Community. "My roommate was from Italy, and every Wednesday we had multicultural programming," she said. "I went to an information session on study abroad and got excited about that." Monica didn't anticipate where her undergraduate career would take her. "I just imagined I'd be a regular student, going to class and back to my residence hall, and going home during the weekends and breaks," she said. "I didn't think I'd meet as many people as I have, or go out of the country. I've made friends from all over the world." Learning languages has given her the opportunity to meet new people and learn about their cultures. "It allows you to communicate with people you wouldn't have met otherwise," she said.
Wathen served as president of Activities Programming Board (APB), College of Liberal Arts representative to the Student Government Association (SGA), and secretary of Bodies of Christ Ministries, a student organization. She is a member of the Spanish Club and Latinos Unidos and serves as a study abroad ambassador.
News Articles
Sixteen University of Southern Indiana alumnae, current faculty/staff, and retired faculty/staff were among 100 women honored by YWCA. >>Link
The USI Alumni Association, as part of its 40th anniversary celebration, profiles 15 graduates who have made an impact. >>Link
Eleven alumni and former students were included in Evansville Business Journal’s feature "20 under 40." >>Link
Young entrepreneur, 2009 graduate, puts his USI education to work in developing, marketing apps. >>Link
USI grad honored by Youth First. >>Link
Graduate becomes leader in green energy movement. >>Link
Nursing graduate named Leukemia Research Foundation's 2010 Nurse of the Year. >>Link
Education graduate on NBC’s "School Pride." >>Link
Two 2010 alums named Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows. >>Link
Presidential Scholar who earned a Ph.D. in now doing postdoctoral research. >>Link
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