University of Evansville

University of Evansville is a private university located in Evansville, Indiana. Founded in 1854, it is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The institution is known for its strong emphasis on experiential learning, including a distinctive study abroad program at its campus in Granada, Spain.

History

The institution was founded in 1854 as Moores Hill Male and Female Collegiate Institute in Moores Hill, Indiana, by a group of citizens and clergy with ties to the Evangelical Association. In 1919, following a period of financial difficulty, the school relocated to Evansville and was renamed Evansville College, becoming a coeducational institution. A significant milestone was achieved in 1967 when it adopted its current name, reflecting its expanded academic scope. Throughout the 20th century, it developed strong ties with the United Methodist Church and established international programs, most notably the Harlaxton College partnership in the United Kingdom before founding its own permanent campus in Granada.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration. It offers over 80 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, including in physical therapy and electrical engineering. A cornerstone of its academic philosophy is the required Experiential Learning component for all undergraduates. The university maintains a notable global presence through its Harlaxton College program in Lincolnshire, England, and its own campus, the UE Study Center, located in the historic San Nicolás district of Granada, Spain.

Campus

The main urban campus spans 75 acres near the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville's Haynie's Corner Arts District. Key facilities include the Clifford Memorial Library, the Koch Center for Engineering and Science, and the Ridgway University Center. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, with notable structures like Olive Hall and the Samuel and Myra Ross Residence Hall. The John H. Schroeder School of Business Building houses the business school, while performing arts are centered in the Shanklin Theatre. The university also maintains athletic facilities at the Carson Center and the Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Purple Aces, compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The men's basketball program has a storied history, including participation in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament and producing notable players like Jerry Sloan and Larry Humes. Other sponsored sports include soccer, baseball, softball, and swimming. The Aces' primary venues are the Ford Center for basketball and German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium for baseball.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include Jerry Sloan, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and longtime coach of the Utah Jazz; actress and comedian Rhea Perlman; and former United States Ambassador to Latvia, John L. Withers II. In academia, Harold A. McMaster, inventor and founder of Solar Cells, Inc., is a notable graduate. The faculty has included scholars like author John G. Neihardt and chemist Raymond E. Davis, a key figure in the Homestake experiment which contributed to neutrino astrophysics.