Press Releases

EVSC Foundation to Host The EVSC Reunion

EVSC Foundation to Host The EVSC Reunion

Summertime is a popular time for families to get together and enjoy each other’s company. In September, the EVSC Foundation will bring the entire EVSC family together including all alumni, supporters and friends of EVSC for the first ever reunion. The EVSC Reunion, scheduled for Sunday, September 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at WNIN Studios, located at 405 Carpenter Street, Evansville, Ind., is open to all EVSC alumni, friends and supporters of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation.

        “We want to bring our alumni and supporters together for a wonderful afternoon of reconnecting with friends and classmates from all grade levels,” said Gayle Long, EVSC director of development.  “This will be the first time in the history of EVSC that the all former EVSC students will have the opportunity to get together and reconnect.”

The EVSC Reunion will include an afternoon of live music, class reunions and fun of all kinds. Admission is free for EVSC alumni and supporters. The reunion is hosted by the EVSC Foundation with special acknowledgment to Vectren, founding partner of EVSC Foundation Hall of Fame.

Irene Schultze Memorial Scholarship

EVSC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE IRENE SCHULTZE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

EVSC Foundation recently received a generous pledge in excess of $200,000 from the children of Irene Schultze to establish a scholarship in memory of their mother to support education of students who have the motivation, determination, and talent to attend college but lack the financial resources. 

Proceeds from the endowment, will initially provide an EVSC student with a potential $8,000 scholarship ($1,000 scholarship per semester, for four years) at an institution of higher education in Indiana. There is potential in the future to have multiple recipients depending on the earnings of the endowment.

Irene Schultze (1914-2005) had a love for learning that endured throughout her lifetime, said her daughter Diane.  The Schultze family resided on Fulton Avenue, across from Cedar Hall Elementary School, for more than 60 years.  She was one of eight children and excelled in elementary school.  But, according to her daughter Jackie, was unable to continue her education through high school due to family responsibilities and economic hardships. Always true to her belief in the value of education, she completed her GED at the age of 68.

Irene and her husband Albert worked hard to enable all three of their children, Jackie, Diane, and Eric, to receive a quality education.  Jackie received her B.S. from Indiana State University and her Master’s from Southern Illinois University.  Diane received her B.S. from Indiana University, her M.S. from the University of Vermont, and her Ph.D. from Indiana University.  Eric received his B.S. from Indiana University, his DVM from Purdue University, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. 

The Irene Schultze Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to Central High School graduates with a preference given to those who have attended Cedar Hall or reside in the Cedar Hall district and who will study at an Indiana public college or university.  More information on how to apply will be available from EVSC Foundation, Central High School counselors, and on the EVSC Foundation website, http://www.evscfoundation.org.

EVSC Foundation previously has received more than $865,000 in generous gifts, among others, from St. Mary’s Medical Systems for scoreboards at Bosse, Central, and Reitz; from Vectren for the EVSC Foundation Hall of Fame; and from an anonymous donor for EVSC Equity Schools.
For more information regarding the scholarship or EVSC Foundation, please contact Gayle Long, EVSC Director of Development, by phone at 812-435-0913 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Irene Schultze Memorial Scholarship

EVSC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE IRENE SCHULTZE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

EVSC Foundation recently received a generous pledge in excess of $200,000 from the children of Irene Schultze to establish a scholarship in memory of their mother to support education of students who have the motivation, determination, and talent to attend college but lack the financial resources. 

Proceeds from the endowment, will initially provide an EVSC student with a potential $8,000 scholarship ($1,000 scholarship per semester, for four years) at an institution of higher education in Indiana. There is potential in the future to have multiple recipients depending on the earnings of the endowment.

Irene Schultze (1914-2005) had a love for learning that endured throughout her lifetime, said her daughter Diane.  The Schultze family resided on Fulton Avenue, across from Cedar Hall Elementary School, for more than 60 years.  She was one of eight children and excelled in elementary school.  But, according to her daughter Jackie, was unable to continue her education through high school due to family responsibilities and economic hardships. Always true to her belief in the value of education, she completed her GED at the age of 68.

Irene and her husband Albert worked hard to enable all three of their children, Jackie, Diane, and Eric, to receive a quality education.  Jackie received her B.S. from Indiana State University and her Master’s from Southern Illinois University.  Diane received her B.S. from Indiana University, her M.S. from the University of Vermont, and her Ph.D. from Indiana University.  Eric received his B.S. from Indiana University, his DVM from Purdue University, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. 

The Irene Schultze Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to Central High School graduates with a preference given to those who have attended Cedar Hall or reside in the Cedar Hall district and who will study at an Indiana public college or university.  More information on how to apply will be available from EVSC Foundation, Central High School counselors, and on the EVSC Foundation website, http://www.evscfoundation.org.

EVSC Foundation previously has received more than $865,000 in generous gifts, among others, from St. Mary’s Medical Systems for scoreboards at Bosse, Central, and Reitz; from Vectren for the EVSC Foundation Hall of Fame; and from an anonymous donor for EVSC Equity Schools.
For more information regarding the scholarship or EVSC Foundation, please contact Gayle Long, EVSC Director of Development, by phone at 812-435-0913 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Randall T. Shepard Academy for Law and Social Justice

The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and EVSC Foundation announced today (11-18-09) that area students will now have an opportunity to participate in a unique, integrated program of study in the EVSC. This program—the Randall T. Shepard Academy for Law and Social Justice—will integrate social studies and English curriculums for juniors and seniors and provide a wide variety of educational and growth opportunities in the community and throughout the state.

“We are grateful for the Chief Justice’s desire to create this visionary program for high school students,” said EVSC Superintendent Vince Bertram. “The critical analysis students will be introduced to will prepare them for deep introspection and will bring these subjects to life.”

The Academy for Law and Social Justice will be offered to incoming juniors in Fall 2010. The program will offer integrated studies in law and social justice topics prepared by the Harrison High School Social Studies and English departments.  It is designed to develop critical analysis in students to prepare them for studies relating to law, social justice, American policy and social values, while simultaneously earning college credit initially at the University of Southern Indiana. Shepard, member of the EVSC Foundation Honorary Board and a Harrison High School alumnus, will provide assistance in the planning and implementation of the program.

Enrollment for the Academy is expected to take place in late December or Early January.  Students will be asked to indicate their interest in the two-year program when enrollment begins in the next few months. Application forms will then be distributed by school counselors.  Based on the number of students interested in the Academy, both a morning and afternoon block may be offered to allow access for more students. The program may also be opened up to students outside Vanderburgh County, as well.

Juniors enrolled in the Academy will engage in the Socratic Method as they build their knowledge base. The half-day program will immerse students in a dynamic and focused curriculum to prepare them for success in a variety of disciplines in higher education.

Seniors enrolled in the Academy will concentrate on government, the creation of law, and the process of justice.  They will also have the opportunity to participate in numerous education and growth opportunities including the law ambassador program in Washington, DC, guest lectures and seminars, State House and state and federal court tours, local law firm internships, Academy Debate Society, and advocacy volunteerism. Students may also publish original research and focus studies on data analysis, cost benefit analysis and related demographic data, research the impact of poverty on legal and educational services, and much more.

The courses that comprise the program all meet graduation requirements for English and Social Studies (Political Science, Civics, Government and Economics). Students will be enrolled half day with the Academy and the remainder with their home school taking other courses needed. 

Randall T. Shepard was appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court by Governor Robert D. Orr in 1985 at the age of 38. He became Chief Justice of Indiana in March 1987.
A seventh generation Hoosier, Shepard graduated from Princeton University cum laude and from the Yale Law School. He earned a Master of Laws degree in the judicial process from the University of Virginia.

Shepard was Judge of the Vanderburgh Superior Court from 1980 until his appointment to chief justice. He earlier served as executive assistant to Mayor Russell Lloyd Sr. of Evansville and as special assistant to the Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Chief Justice Shepard was also Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He served as chair of the ABA Appellate Judges Conference and of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. During 2005-06, Shepard served as President of the National Conference of Chief Justices. Chief Justice John Roberts recently appointed him to the U.S. Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Civil Rules.

He teaches periodically at the law schools of NYU and Yale.

EVSC Foundation Receives Gift from Vectren to Support Hall of Fame and Strategic Plan Initiatives

Honoring alumni of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and letting the public know about the work and character of these distinguished individuals is what the EVSC Foundation’s newest endeavor – the creation of the EVSC Foundation Hall of Fame—will do in the very near future. The Vectren Foundation has donated $50,000 for the Hall of Fame and for other priority initiatives affecting student achievement laid out in the school corporation’s Strategic Plan.

EVSC Foundation will use the Vectren gift to begin work on the Hall of Fame and to form partnerships with corporations and private donors to fund innovative projects such as naming opportunities, alumni relations, the Strategic Plan Fundraising Campaign, EVSC Foundation Scholarship, Endowed Giving and the Planned Giving Program, all of which will raise funding for the EVSC Strategic Plan initiatives, academic programs, athletics and more.

“The direct correlation between the quality of a child’s education and his or her future achievement and contribution to society is compelling. Providing the initial seed money for the EVSC Foundation’s efforts to further enhance the quality of education is a sound community investment,” said Niel C. Ellerbrook, Vectren’s chairman and chief executive officer. 

“The generosity and support, both in funding and the time and sharing of talents and other resources from the Vectren Corporation exemplify why it is such a great community partner,” said EVSC Superintendent Vince Bertram.

“This program of recognition is intended to inspire EVSC students to seek excellence in their own education and careers, and is also intended to emphasize the importance of philanthropy and the stewardship of community resources,” said Gayle Long, EVSC director of development.

The EVSC Foundation Hall of Fame will honor graduates of the EVSC who have outstanding achievements in their life’s work, as well as others who have made an impact on public education in Vanderburgh County. 

The Hall of Fame will be accepting nominations late this year. For more information regarding nomination, please check the EVSC Foundation website, http://www.evscfoundation.org or contact Gayle Long at 812-435-0913.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is comprised of Bix Branson, Jim Byers, Ed Cole, Susan Enlow, Joan Finch, George Flowers, Carl Heldt, James McCarty, Sr., Pat Shoulders, and Jon Siau.

Recipients will be honored at a special event in the spring.       

EVSC Foundation Receives $15,000 Grant from Alcoa Foundation

  The EVSC Foundation announced (8-15-09) the receipt of a $15,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation.  The funding will be used for the Glenwood Community Garden and Wetlands Project, which will involve teachers and students in the project and will help provide funding for innovation in and outside the classroom for years to come.

“The Alcoa Foundation is excited about being able to add its support to such a broad-based, community-focused program that will positively influence the education of children while focusing on sustainability,” said Jim Beck, communications and public affairs leader at Alcoa Warrick Operations. “It’s exciting how so many have already invested so much in this project.”

Led by Mike Shoulders, of VPS Architecture, and the “Clean and Green” committee, the Glenwood Community Garden and Wetlands project are part of the much larger Glenwood Community Development Initiative (GCDI), an intense collaboration among a wide range of community partners to develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood stabilization and improvement plan reaching beyond housing.

The community garden and the construction of the wetlands will be used as a teaching tool and are part of a bigger GCDI focus on housing and financial investment to address root social issues of urban blight and neighborhood deterioration through the creation of healthy, sustainable social and structural improvements.

“One of our goals for this project is to encourage a true sense of community among the Glenwood neighborhood residents,” said Shoulders. “We hope the residents in the neighborhood will have a vested interest in maintaining the gardens and wetlands as a gathering place as well as a source of healthy food. We also want to educate both students and parents about plant care, organic gardening, and preparation of fresh food for healthy eating and local conservation efforts.”

During the summer of 2009, GCDI planted its first Glenwood Community Garden on the far northwest corner of the Glenwood Middle School property. The organic garden is about 85 foot by 65 foot and contains a small flower and herb garden, plus plantings of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, green beans, red and green peppers.

The results of the first harvest will be distributed to area residents to promote healthy eating and conservation with locally grown produce.

The $15,000 grant from Alcoa Foundation will help with this distribution, as well as provide small grants of $600 to science teachers at Glenwood, to develop student curriculum components and provide supplies for the research needed to further the progress of the garden and the wetlands (also near the school), as well as field work experiences.

Approximately $5,000 would be used to research and develop the gardens and wetlands with appropriate, self-propagating and low maintenance plants, structures and signage. Another $5,000 would be used for materials, seed, fertilizer, tools, distribution baskets, bundling, and other things related to the garden and wetland for several years.

History:
This concept began in 2007 as Habitat for Humanity of Evansville was completing a major natural disaster recovery effort. During this effort, it was realized that the effects of urban blight resemble that of the aftermath of a natural disaster with dilapidated housing, vandalism and criminal activity. Although the causes are different, the solutions can be similar – concentrated reinvestment among a broad spectrum of partners to create real and lasting change for and with those impacted.
Many organizations, including: EVSC, EVSC Foundation, Glenwood Neighborhood Association, Habitat, Keep Evansville Beautiful, Leadership Evansville, Morning Rotary Club, Welborn Baptist Foundation, Evansville Housing Authority, City of Evansville, Crossroads Christian Church and other local churches in the Glenwood neighborhood, have worked intensively with Glenwood neighborhood residents since fall 2008 to create a shared strategy for neighborhood improvement.  GCDI partners plan for this initiative to serve as a model to address all urban neighborhoods in Evansville.

EVSC Foundation Day Celebration

EVSC Foundation will celebrate EVSC Foundation Day on January 22, 2009, at the Vectren Riverfront Lobby beginning at 5:30 pm. The event will feature live music from the North High School Jazz Ensemble along with brief remarks by members of the EVSC Foundation Board, Sally Becker, president of EVSC Board of School Trustees, Vince Bertram, EVSC superintendent, and Don Chaudoin, president of EVSC Foundation Board of Directors, as well as a reading of the EVSC Foundation Day mayoral proclamation by Keith Gambill, president of the Evansville Teachers Association.
At this event, Senator Vaneta Becker will present the Distinguished Hoosier Award to James McCarty Sr. One of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Hoosier, the award honors those who have worked to better Indiana. It is given at the discretion of the governor to Hoosiers who have brought honor to the state through their character and accomplishments.
Members of the EVSC Foundation Board of Directors, Honorary Board and guests from the community will enjoy the live music and appetizers provided by Kirby’s Private Dining. For more details, contact Gayle Long, executive director of EVSC Foundation at 812-435-0913 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Scoreboard Sponsorship

EVSC Foundation, Inc. announces sponsorship opportunities are available for the new scoreboards for Central Stadium, Enlow Field, and Reitz Bowl. Sponsors may select from several packages for each or all fields.

There are several areas on the scoreboard for high impact sponsor opportunities by community businesses and organizations.  Funding generated by the sponsorships will help support EVSC Foundation, EVSC programs and activities,” according to Gayle Long, the Executive Director of EVSC Foundation.

“We are excited about partnering with our community in our scoreboard project.  This will give our sponsors access to the largest crowds in some of the finest stadiums in the state of Indiana,” according to Paul Neidig, the Supervisor of Athletics for the EVSC.

Contact Paul Neidig, Supervisor of Athletics, 435-8501 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), for more details on the sponsorship packages.