Honoring "Mr. USI" Jerry Bulger
No matter how long you’ve been at USI, you most definitely have heard or seen some of the amazing work Jerry Bulger has done for the University and the Evansville west side community. In recognition of his work and contributions to USI, Bulger was named the 2022 recipient of the Screagle Pride Award. USI President Ronald Rochon presented the award to Bulger on January 4 during the annual Spring University Meeting.
“He is the MacGyver of USI. Jerry Bulger can fix anything,” Rochon said during the ceremony. “This is an amazing human being.”
For three decades, Bulger served USI as the Maintenance Supervisor, and for more than 25 years was also the Perry Township Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief (off and on). If you’ve seen the University’s float in the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival parade over the years, you’ve gazed upon Bulger’s work. Each year he spends countless hours creating a masterpiece, the most recent a replica of the gazebo overlooking Reflection Lake, a gift of the West Side Nut Club. Bulger created the unique diploma table used each year for USI Commencement exercises, which feeds the diploma covers from within the table as they are removed from the top. Recently, he constructed a large three-dimensional DI display in the Screaming Eagles Arena to celebrate the University’s move into Division I. This project saved USI more than $15,000.
Over the years, Bulger has fixed, constructed and installed too many items to be named around campus.
“This is Mr. USI right here,” said Rochon.
And Bulger’s deeds go even deeper in the USI community and the west side of Evansville. He volunteers his time several weekends each year to teach adult and infant CPR classes. Since 2002, Bulger has led the 9/11 remembrance every year on the University Parkway overpass. And, in his role with the Perry Township Fire Department, he’s responded to more than 10,000 calls to serve individuals, often arriving on scene at the same time as Public Safety.
“Jerry has been involved in some of the most devasting and most tragic occurrences, and brings calm, resolve and professionalism to the situation,” said Rochon.
Bulger also uses opportunities to talk about USI in the Evansville community—relating the contributions the University’s staff and students make not just to Evansville, but to the region, the state and beyond. There was no doubt those employees in attendance agreed that Bulger truly embodies the moniker of “Mr. USI.”
“The Screagle Pride Award is no question in the right hands for this moment on this day,” Rochon said while presenting the award.
If you see Bulger on campus this semester, be sure to congratulate him on this honor and thank him for all he does for us here at USI!