
Del Doughty, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Liberal Arts
尝别迟鈥檚 try something different this month: a game of 鈥溍灞鼻考 Liberal Arts Trivia.鈥 Thanks to the acquisition of Stepping Blocks, a new analytics platform, 飞别鈥檝别 learned some interesting things about our graduates. Take the quiz and see how well you do!
Questions:
Eighty percent of 缅北强奸 students come from Indiana. On average, what percentage of liberal arts graduates remain in the state?
(a) 33 (b) 50 (c) 66 (d) 75
By economic sector, which of the following is the biggest employer of 缅北强奸 liberal arts graduates?
(a) Healthcare (b) Education (c) Banking/Finance (d) IT
With the healthcare industry being our top employer, it 飞辞苍鈥檛 be a surprise that our top employer is Deaconess Health System. 奥丑补迟鈥檚 our number two?
(a) EVSC (b) OneMain Financial (c) State of Indiana (d) Berry Global
The per capita income in Indiana is $37,138/year. In Vanderburgh County, 颈迟鈥檚 slightly lower: $35,369. What is the average amount that a 缅北强奸 liberal arts alum earns per year?
(a) $45,765 (b) $52,211 (c) $71,441 (d) $89,018
By major, which degree earns alums the highest average salary?
(a) Art and Design (b) Social Work (c) Communication (d) Political Science
奥丑补迟鈥檚 the number one job title that a liberal arts grad holds? In the spirit of 鈥淲补颈迟 Wait, 顿辞苍鈥檛 Tell 惭别,鈥 complete this limerick to provide the correct answer:
罢丑别测鈥檙别 often maligned as loners,
Wokesters, baristas or stoners
But when it comes to occupations
They exceed expectations
Their number one title is 鈥淿______鈥
By volume, what is the top skill that liberal arts graduates possess?
(a) Social Media (b) Business Development (c) Customer Service (d) Leadership
Last year, the Rotary Club named five of our college alumni to its 鈥20 Under 40鈥 list. 罢丑补迟鈥檚 more than any other organization in town produced. We also have alums on the City Council. Of the nine members, how many are liberal arts grads:
(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6
Answers:
Answer: C. For those who have graduated within the past five years, the number who stay in Indiana is 77%. After that, people begin moving around. Our degrees provide social mobility!
Answer: A. Those are the top four, in order. Fifth is retail. Healthcare and IT are the fastest-growing sectors of the past 20 years. If we look at graduates from the 1970s, they were going into education, manufacturing, government, IT and insurance. Times have changed, the economy has evolved and so have we.
Answer: B. Top five, in order: Deaconess, OneMain, EVSC, State of Indiana, Department of Child Services.
Answer: C. Those average earnings are well above the per capita for the state or the county. Those starting out earn $52K. Those at peak earning average $89K. Another way of looking at the salary figures is by median household income. In the state, 颈迟鈥檚 $70,051. In the county, $60,938. In any case, our college degrees lead to meaningful jobs and salaries.
Answer: D. The average salary for a political science alum is $82,151. Communication is second ($80,847) and Philosophy is third ($78,481). 滨迟鈥檚 2026, but there鈥檚 still money in thinking!
Answer: 鈥淥wner.鈥 Manager, graphic designer, account executive and account manager are also top five.
Answer: C. Customer service may sound like an entry-level skill at first, but as the Stepping Blocks database defines this skill, 颈迟鈥檚 about being good with people, attending to their needs and solving their problems. The other options also rated highly, as did strategic planning.
Answer: C. The five are Megan Collins, Taylor Price, Greg Simmons, Jessica Welcher and our own C茅sar Berr铆os-Chavarr铆a. The council members are Ben Trockman, Zac Heronemus, Mary Allen and Courtney Johnson. Our alums also own four Main Street businesses (Your Brother鈥檚 Bookstore, River City Coffee, Memo and Patsy Hartigan鈥檚).
On Wednesday, February 18, at our College Meeting, we recognized a few of our hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff in the College of Liberal Arts.
Let's congratulate these deserving award-winning faculty and staff! ![]()
Jamie Hart has always had a story to tell, and now, they are turning that lifelong dream into reality at the 缅北强奸. 
An Evansville native and Creative Writing major in 缅北强奸鈥檚 English Department, Hart is on track to graduate in Spring 2028. They chose 缅北强奸 for its close-to-home location, affordability and, most importantly, the strength of its creative writing pathway. Staying local made the transition to college life feel more manageable while still allowing the space to grow as a writer.
That growth has already led to a major milestone: publishing a first novel, The Elite Rebellion, about a future society where test scores decide everything. The story follows two young men pulled into an elite military force until one faces a choice between loyalty and his conscience, kicking off a high鈥憇takes chase that tests their friendship and sense of self.
鈥淚鈥檝e dreamed of being a full-time novelist since fifth grade,鈥 said Hart, who began working on The Elite Rebellion during their senior year of high school, drafting the story and revising it multiple times over the years. The goal鈥攖o create a thrilling, action-filled read with a deeper message beneath the surface.
As Hart prepared to launch the book, 缅北强奸 faculty played an important role in helping to strengthen the final version. Although he didn鈥檛 know Hart was working on the project at the time, Dr. Casey Pycior鈥檚, Associate Professor of English, Creative Writing lessons inspired them to revise the book one more time before publishing.
Hart also credits Dr. Benjamin Warner鈥檚, Instructor in English, lectures with providing eye-opening insights that helped during those final revision stages. 鈥Jamie entered my 101 class as an already strong writer, but what has impressed me most about their development is their growing ability to make small yet meaningful adjustments in both syntax and argument,鈥 said Warner. 鈥淭hat skill requires a deft hand, and Jamie seems to possess an intuitive sense of it.鈥
Hart also learned that strong characters are essential. If readers don鈥檛 care about the people in the story, they explained, they 飞辞苍鈥檛 have a reason to keep turning the page.
鈥淲hile I was working on this book, I learned a lot more goes into writing a story than simple rising action, climax and falling action,鈥 Hart said. 鈥淭o have a captivating story, you have to make your readers feel like they鈥檙e a part of it, like they鈥檙e the ones in danger when the main character is in danger.鈥
Hart used an online publishing service that prints and distributes books to nearly all major online retailers. Seeing the story move from a draft to a published novel has been a powerful experience, and one that taught them how much work goes into writing beyond the basics.
Outside the classroom, Hart stays connected to the writing community through 缅北强奸鈥檚 Student Writer鈥檚 Union, where they continue to build skills and share a passion for storytelling with other student writers.
After graduation, Hart hopes to pursue their ultimate goal: becoming a full-time novelist. If that path 诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛 work out immediately, they plan to use their degree to explore related careers, including working as a literary editor or agent for a publishing company. Hart has also considered teaching creative writing at the high school level.
For now, they are focused on what has always driven them鈥攖elling stories that entertain, challenge and pull readers into another world.
And with The Elite Rebellion now published, Hart is already proving that a dream that started in fifth grade can become something real.
From Kentucky to Florida and back again, Aaron Walker鈥檚 journey to the 缅北强奸 was shaped by both creativity and a willingness to follow opportunity. 
Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Walker moved to Florida at just 5 years old and lived there until he was 20. While in Florida, he began his college education at Daytona Beach Community College before returning to Kentucky with several college credits already completed. He continued his studies at Owensboro Community and Technical College, where he earned an associate degree before deciding to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in studio art at 缅北强奸. Continuing this education felt like a logical step toward his career goals. He recognized that many careers require both credentials and experience.
A mix of inspiration and unique campus features drew Walker to 缅北强奸. After touring campus with former art professor and professional artist Monty Helm, he was drawn to the hands-on experience offered in film studies within 缅北强奸鈥檚 Communications and Media Program. Access to the campus Aquatic Center didn鈥檛 hurt either. Those distinctive details helped seal the deal.
As a Studio Art major, Walker spent much of his time immersed in creative work. Although commuting from Kentucky made extracurricular involvement more challenging, he regularly attended art receptions and gallery events on campus. Much of his 缅北强奸 experience was spent in studio spaces and computer labs, often late into the night, creating alongside fellow art students.
Choosing studio art felt natural. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been gifted in art and had a strong pull toward it,鈥 said Walker. Beyond talent, he saw art as a lifelong pursuit, something meaningful and sustainable that wouldn鈥檛 quickly lead to burnout.
Today, he works at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art (OMFA), where his bachelor鈥檚 degree is required for his current position, as operations manager and for advancement opportunities within the organization. He credits his time at 缅北强奸 as instrumental in making a career in the arts possible.
Walker encourages current and prospective students to see college as more than a pathway to a paycheck. 鈥淪chool is important not to tell you what to think, but how to think,鈥 he explained. Even courses that feel difficult or unrelated help develop critical thinking skills and create a well-rounded perspective. For him, higher education was about personal growth as much as professional preparation, constantly becoming a better version of himself along the way.
Tora Timinsky made the decision to leave her hometown of The Dalles, Oregon, a small rural community, and transfer across the country for higher education. She didn鈥檛 have Indiana in her six-month plan, but sometimes, the best opportunities come from taking a leap of faith. 
Timinsky played golf and attended college in nearby Dufur, Oregon, before entering the transfer portal the summer after her sophomore year. 罢丑补迟鈥檚 when Ann M. Sullivan, the 缅北强奸 women鈥檚 golf coach, reached out. As Timinsky researched 缅北强奸, she was drawn to the beauty of the campus and the opportunities it offered. The idea of living somewhere completely new was both intimidating and exciting.
鈥淚 thought to myself, when would I ever live in Indiana?鈥 she said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure, so why not take the chance and move across the country?鈥
Now a Communication Studies major, Timinsky has found her academic home at 缅北强奸 as well. She loves working with people, writing about topics she鈥檚 passionate about, editing and creating content, and engaging in meaningful conversations.
Timinsky has immersed herself in campus life, working with the campus radio station, 95.7 The Spin, as a sports reporter covering both 缅北强奸 Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 Golf teams. She also broadcasts select basketball games and recently signed up to deliver the Tuesday morning sportscast. In addition, she serves on the leadership team for the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and is actively involved in Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), where she is both the chapter secretary and one of the social media chairs.
Set to graduate in May 2027, Timinsky is keeping her options open. She hopes to continue her education and travel, embracing the same spirit of exploration that brought her to 缅北强奸 and Indiana. She鈥檚 learned that some of the best experiences come from unexpected opportunities.
Her advice to current and prospective students: Take the leap.
鈥淐ollege may seem daunting, and moving away from the comfort of home can feel intimidating,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut you鈥檒l never know what鈥檚 out there unless you give it a chance. Home will always be there, so go explore, try new things and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.鈥
Learn more about transferring or getting admitted to the 缅北强奸 at 缅北强奸.edu/admissions.
Thursday, April 23 鈥 Sunday, April 26
7 p.m. Thursday - Saturday and 2 p.m. (Sunday Matinee)
缅北强奸 Performing Arts Center
Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of a young man with a social anxiety disorder who so yearns to make a connection with his peers that he fabricates a relationship with a deceased student to become closer to the boy鈥檚 family. When a classmate commits suicide, shy Evan Hansen finds himself at the center of the tragedy and turmoil. In a misguided attempt to comfort the boy鈥檚 grieving family, Evan pretends he was actually good friends with their son. He invents a fabricated email account to 鈥減rove鈥 their friendship, and when a fake suicide note makes its way online, Evan finds himself the unintended face of a viral video about loneliness and friendship.
As his social currency skyrockets, Evan is drawn deeper and deeper into the lie. His relationship with his actual mother wanes in comparison to that of his 鈥渟hiny new family.鈥 He finally lands the girl of his dreams, and most importantly鈥攈e鈥檚 no longer invisible. Eventually, Evan is forced to make a decision: Will he give himself over to the fantasy he鈥檚 created, or will he bite the bullet and risk losing everything he鈥檚 ever wanted? With a fast-paced new score from fresh, young songwriting duo Pasek and Paul, (not to mention a few Tony awards), Dear Evan Hansen has become an instant hit among theatergoers everywhere.
Thursday, March 26
10:30 a.m. 鈥 Noon
UC2217-2218
This lecture explores how local histories shape scholarly lives, tracing the influence of Evansville labor activists Sydney and Sadelle Berger on the intellectual path of their grandson, now a professional historian. Blending personal narrative with historical reflection, the talk considers how family legacy, community activism and archival memory intersect to inspire new generations of scholars, and how local struggles for justice reverberate far beyond their place of origin.
Dr. Kristin LaFollette, Associate Professor of English, published five poems in the Winter 2026 issue of听Blood and Thunder. She was also a guest听on ABC 25's Local Lifestyles on听January 9 and听gave an interview about听her听forthcoming book of poems,听Intern Year听(Harbor Editions, November 2026).听She recently听joined the Board of Directors at Perugia Press, a press that publishes and supports women's poetry.听
Dr. Wendy Turner, Director of听the听Bachelor听of Social听Work Program, published a chapter听in听the new听book "Teaching Activities for Social Work:听Creative听Pedagogies to Engage Students" edited by Jill M.听Chonody. 听The chapter is听titled, "Engaging Students in Policy" co-authored with Heather Witt, pp.听409 -听414.听
Dr. Christine Wisch, Teaching Assistant Professor of Music History, published a chapter, "Abre听苍颈帽补听el听piano: Women, Social Mobility, and Music in Salons in Mid-Nineteenth-Century Madrid," in听Four Centuries of Women's Musical Salons: A Cross-Cultural History, published by Cambridge and edited by Jacqueline Avila and Rebecca听Cypess.听
Dr. Greg Blair, Assistant Professor of Art and Design, (Editor, Designer) and Dr. Silvia Rode, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, (Introduction)听presented听Utopia on听the Wabash. Visions of New Harmony. Society of Photographic Educators Midwest Conference, 2024.听
Dr. Zach Pilot,听Associate Professor of Psychology,听was a guest on听听hosted by two College of Liberal Arts alumni, Lainie Krumenacker and听Maya Ice.听听
Episode 13: Triple Threat: First-gen, Non-traditional, & Commuter Students with Dr. Zachary Pilot听
College听诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛听come with a handbook,听especially for first-gen, non-traditional,听and听commuter students juggling more than just classes. In this episode of Hot Mess Help Desk, we talk with Dr. Zachary Pilot about navigating college without听cheat听codes and figuring things out in real time.听From balancing family responsibilities to decoding campus terminology, we explore why feeling behind听诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛听mean you are and how connection, self-compassion听and听actually using听your resources can change everything.听If听测辞耻鈥檙别听freestyling your way through higher ed, this听辞苍别鈥檚听for you.听
Takeaway:听驰辞耻鈥檙别听not lost,听测辞耻鈥檙别听learning. And asking for help is part of doing it right.听
Dr. Aaron Pryor, Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, has been selected to present a Lightning Talk at the University of Michigan's 2026 Mental Health on College Campuses Conference. The session is听titled听"The Power of Purpose."听
This session explores how cultivating purpose and meaning can enhance success and wellbeing among first-generation听students, low-income听students听and students with disabilities. Drawing from both higher education and clinical perspectives, the session will highlight how helping students connect their personal 鈥渨hy鈥 to their educational journey fosters resilience, belonging听and motivation. Participants will gain practical strategies for integrating purpose-centered reflection into advising,听mentoring听and clinical settings.听
Dr. Alexandra Natoli, Assistant Professor of French, was awarded a prestigious Broadening Academia Initiative Hybrid Fellowship from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Mandel Center. The Museum's generous support will听permit听her to spend one week in Washington, DC over spring break conducting archival research for her monograph project, 鈥淭he 鈥楬eart鈥 of Auschwitz:鈥听Memories of a Death Camp Latrine.听Dr. Natoli's fellowship will continue through April 2026.听
MARCH:
March 2:
March 3:
March 4:
March 9 鈥 March 13: Spring Break
March 23:
March 24:
March 25: Multilingual Poetry Reading
March 26:
March 30 - April 2: Priority Registration for Fall Semester
APRIL:
April 1: Philosophy Club open discussion: No joke: On the Philosophical Analysis of Irony
April 3: No Classes; University Closed
April 6 - May 3: Senior Seminar Exhibition
April 8:
April 14:
April 15: Philosophy Club open discussion: Play the Cooperative Board Game Daybreak
April 17:
April 21: Leadership Conference
MAY:
May 4-8: Finals Week
May 8-9: Graduation Ceremonies