We thought spring had come early to campus—February 1 saw temperatures of 60 degrees. And students took advantage of the spring-like weather to study and relax outside.
But we soon were reminded of the fickleness of the weather in Southern Indiana. By the last week of February, a cold front swept through the Midwest. Meteorologists forecasted up to six inches of snow, on top of a predicted two inches of ice for the Evansville area. Thankfully, the worst of the storm skirted the city, but we still had a coating of ice.
A parade of wild turkeys
Students in housing reported seeing turkeys near the residence halls for days as February marched on. Finally, the ice storm drove them across campus where they had easier food options, whether it was Chick-fil-A left overs or birdfeeders dotting campus.
Homecoming 2022
A record 13 departments participated in the Homecoming office decorating contest. This year's Homecoming Court candidates acted as judges, touring the offices in the rain and wowed by the efforts of those working on campus.
Senior international business administration and Spanish major Hairo Rivas and senior health services and occupational therapy major Makayla Schirmer were voted Homecoming Majesties. You can read about all the candidates who were vying for homecoming majesties here—usi.edu/homecoming/court.
International Food Expo
After an extended absence due to COVID-19 restrictions, the International Food Expo returned to campus in February. Students from Bolivia, Japan, Switzerland, Panama, the Bahamas, India, Pakistan, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, China and Spain spent hours preparing food and decorating their booths for the annual celebration. Members of the USI and greater Evansville community enjoyed international food, dancing, music and fashion at the event.
USI campus hosts Boy Scout Badge Workshop
USI faculty, staff and alumni gathered on campus to help local Boy Scouts finalize the requirements needed to earn patches from a wide variety of categories, from engineering to environmental science.
USI Theatre presents "Stop Kiss"
Sara and Callie are walking through New York City's West Village very late at night when they share their first kiss. This leads to a vicious attack by an angry bystander, in which Sara is horribly injured. She falls into a coma, which becomes one of the major subjects of the play, "Stop Kiss." Throughout the production, relationships are explored, formed and even ended. The play was presented by USI Theatre in mid February.
Black History Month
The Multicultural Center sponsored a number of events throughout February in recognition of Black History Month. Among the events were an oratorical contest and speech and debate competition. Partnering with Sodexo Executive Chef Gregory Dillard, MCC had a cultural night exploring soul food. This year's Black History Month keynote speaker was Shirval Moore, founder and CEO of Tasteful Thoughts, who talked to students about having an entrepreneurial mindset.
Executive Chef Gregory Dillard prepared and served traditional dishes including sautéed turmeric and curry chicken breast with sundried tomato, spinach sauce and parmesan cheese, Persian rice with roasted diced sweet potatoes, balsamic Brussel sprouts, shrimp and grits, bread pudding with caramel butter sauce and mini chess pie tarts.
Black History Month keynote speaker Shirval Moore took the stage at her event to 50 Cent's "I Got Money." She shared her story from growing up on the south side of Chicago to getting two degrees and finding opportunities. She struck out on her own using her creativity and entrepreneurial hustle, following her heart and starting her own businesses while successfully negotiating her salary and benefits in the corporate world. “People ask me, ‘How do you do all of this?’ Well, I don’t have any kids, I’m not married, so I spend my time on what I’m focused on. My focus and my vision are my businesses. I have three of them, and I do the work. I’m not lazy.”
Moore advised students that all good entrepreneurs have "attitude, creativity, positivity, problem solving, resilience and persistence."
Nationally and internationally known speakers
Dr. Syra Madad, a nationally recognized leader and epidemiologist in public health and special preparedness and response, visited campus on February 22 as the Core Speakers Series guest in the Screaming Eagles Arena. Madad, a pathogens preparedness expert, has been featured in the Netflix docuseries “PANDEMIC: How to Prevent an Outbreak.” A meet-and-greet session with select students and was held before Madad's public presentation, “From COVID-19 and Beyond: Lessons Learned and How to Pandemic-Proof Society Moving Forward."
USI’s Department of Communications and the College of Liberal Arts also hosted guests during February for the 2022 Liberal Arts Distinguished Scholar Series. Investigative reporters Marisa Kwiatkowski and Tim Evans spoke before a crowd gathered in Carter Hall, discussing the USA Gymnastics’ sexual abuse scandal. The work done by Kwiatkowski and Evans at the IndyStar also exposed Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse and USA Gymnastics’ negligence in failing to protect its gymnasts from a serial sexual predator.
Basketball Senior Day made extra special
University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball clinched its first regular-season conference title since 2000-01 with a 68-42 Great Lakes Valley Conference win over visiting Lindenwood University February 26 at the Screaming Eagles Arena. The day was special as USI celebrated its senior players before the game.
USI's Men's Basketball outlasted Lindenwood University in overtime, 77-70, at the arena on February 26, as well. The GLVC Conference Tournament began on February 28 for the Men's Basketball team, with USI hosting the first game at the Screaming Eagles Arena. The Women's Basketball team has their first game of the GLVC Tournament Thursday, March 3 in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Credits:
Barbara J. Goodwin