Heather M. Vaught to deliver College of Liberal Arts Commencement Ceremony address

The speaker for the College of Liberal Arts Commencement Ceremony is Heather Vaught, a 2010 Bachelor of Science in Art. She is the owner of three businesses located in Downtown Evansville, Indiana. Memo is a design and stationery shop where Vaught has her graphic design, sign painting and creative studio. She is also the owner of River City Coffee + Goods, a local gift shop showcasing handcrafted goods and artisan coffee, and the co-owner of Royal Art Books, a publishing company focused on early 20th-century art and tattooing in the Midwest.

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Vaught is an active advocate and community leader in Evansville. She has served as a board member for the Downtown Economic Improvement District and as Secretary and Commissioner for the Evansville Redevelopment Commission, managing tax increment financing for various redevelopment districts. Vaught was the lead advocate for the Sunset Skatepark—Indiana’s largest concrete skatepark. She helped fundraise over $1 million for the project while designing and overseeing its construction. Her passion for enhancing public spaces reflects her deep commitment to improving the quality of life for Evansville residents.

Vaught’s contributions to Evansville extend to her leadership roles in the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Downtown Design Review Board and the Preservation Alliance of Evansville. She was instrumental in the Unified Underground Evansville, a youth-focused organization that combined live music events with community service, providing opportunities for subculture youth to volunteer, see bands and find community.

Her work has also helped nurture Evansville’s vibrant arts and music scene, bringing together a diverse range of creative initiatives. Her work and dedication to the community have earned Vaught numerous accolades: 2024 20 Under 40 by the Evansville Rotary, 2024 Best Evansville Brand Ambassador award by Evansville Living and a national 40 under 40 for Stationary Trends and Gift Shop Magazine in 2018—alongside brands like Vera Bradley and Paper Source. Her businesses have also received several prestigious honors, including Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Gift Shop and Specialty Store from Courier & Press.

When not working, Vaught enjoys spending time with her family, promoting all-age music events and volunteering on local boards to improve the Evansville community every day. Her unwavering commitment to her business ventures and community initiatives continues to inspire others to engage with and improve the city she loves. Whether she’s painting signs, publishing books or serving coffee, Vaught’s creative vision and leadership have made her a beloved and influential figure in Evansville’s ongoing story of growth and revitalization.