University of Evansville Alumni Association

10/27/2026

The University of Evansville Alumni Awards and Athletics Hall of Fame recognize individuals whose professional achievements, service, leadership, and commitment have made a lasting impact on UE and the communities they serve.

This year’s honorees include Sondra Matthews ’77, recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award; Michael Grassmyer ’13 and Dr. Kate (Upton) Grassmyer ’11, recipients of the Young Alumni Award; Randy Alsman, recipient of the Samuel Orr Honorary Alumnus Award; Carol Lynch ’74, recipient of the Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award; and Kyle Freeland ’15 and Crystal (Stock) England ’04, who will be inducted into the UE Athletics Hall of Fame.

We are proud to celebrate the 2026 honorees and their continued impact on the University of Evansville community.
To purchase a ticket or sponsorship, visit www.Evansville.edu/AlumniAwards

10/21/2026

For Elizabeth “Liz” Kelly ’01, the University of Evansville was a place where curiosity, global experiences, and meaningful relationships helped shape the direction of her life.

Liz studied International Studies and Political Science at UE. She was also a resident assistant on Moore Hall’s international floor, where she built friendships with students from around the world. Her interest in other cultures extended beyond campus as well. After spending time in Belgium as an exchange student during high school, she returned there for a semester through UE’s study abroad program.

Today, Liz is a psychotherapist and author with more than 14 years of experience supporting professionals through grief, life transitions, stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety. Her work focuses on providing thoughtful and culturally responsive care while helping people navigate some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

In 2024, Liz reached one of the biggest milestones of her career with the publication of her first book, “This Book Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A No Nonsense Guide to Improving Your Mental Health.” The book has since become available in 13 countries and 12 languages, reaching readers around the world.

Her commitment to helping others also extends into her community. Liz volunteers with the mental health team for Camp Forget Me Not and Camp Erin DC through The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing. The program provides a supportive environment for children who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Looking back on her time at UE, Liz remembers walking across campus and stopping to talk with Dr. Gugin, one of her favorite Political Science professors. She credits UE with teaching her to think critically, appreciate different perspectives, and approach the world with curiosity.

Her advice to future alumni reflects that same mindset, “Follow your curiosity rather than trying to find your passion.”

For Liz, UE was more than a university. It was a community that gave her opportunities to grow, explore the world, and develop the confidence to create a meaningful path of her own.

Once an Ace always an Ace.

10/20/2026

Did you receive your alumni survey? Be sure to fill it out for a chance to win one of 5 prizes!

If you didn't receive it, please email [email protected] and give us your name, graduation year, correct email, and mailing address, and we will add you to the list!

10/19/2026

Carrie Preston, UE Class of 1989, was featured on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday to talk about her show, Elsbeth.

10/14/2026

From the University of Evansville stage to soldout stadiums across the country, Casey Casperson ’01 has built a career around performance, creativity, and bringing people together.

A Theatre Management graduate, Casey now tours with the Savannah Bananas as a "Dad Bod Cheerleader," helping create one of the most energetic shows in sports. Outside of touring, he owns and operates Sick Puppies Comedy at Doghouse Theatre in Delray Beach, Florida, where he helps develop local actors and comedians through classes, performances, and community-centered improv.

During his time at UE, Casey was involved with University Theatre and Sigma Phi Epsilon, but one of his most meaningful experiences was studying at Harlaxton. He describes those 100 days as some of the most memorable of his life filled with adventure, learning, and personal growth.

Casey also recently reached another milestone by publishing his first book at the age of 47, a reminder that there is always time to pursue something new.

His advice to current students is simple: get involved, build meaningful relationships, stay connected, and take advantage of opportunities that may lead somewhere unexpected.

Casey continues to support UE because he wants future students to have the same kind of experience that shaped his own journey.

"I hope that others will get the same experience I had."

10/07/2026

From the University of Evansville to helping power the operations of a major airline, Mark Mortland ’87 has built a career defined by technical skill, persistence, and long-term impact.

A Computer Science graduate, Mark spent much of his career specializing in user interfaces and software development. Alongside fellow UE alumnus Phil Hyatt, he helped create SWIFT Southwest Integrated Flight Tracking, a system Southwest Airlines used to help manage its fleet and flights for roughly 30 years. After retiring in 2020, Mark returned as a consultant in 2022 to help support the successful transition to a replacement system.

His career brought recognition including the Southwest Airlines President Award, but one of his most meaningful moments came when colleagues gave him an ovation on the night the new system went live.

Mark also found fulfillment in mentoring younger developers, helping them grow into stronger professionals and, in some cases, future leaders.

Outside of technology, Mark has continued challenging himself in new ways. After injuries temporarily limited some of his longtime hobbies, he turned to writing and has since published five books.

His journey reflects one of the lessons he carries with him from UE: relationships matter, opportunities can take unexpected forms, and your starting point does not determine where you can go.

“I grew up poor. Really poor. And somehow, I’ve lived in Europe, Hawaii, traveled the world, made an impact on a major airline, retired at 55, and wrote five books. Never underestimate yourself.”

10/01/2026

Everone's favorite day of the year!!!

09/30/2026

Lauren Brown Howard ’10 has one word of advice for future alumni: “Try.”
It is a mindset that has carried her from UE classrooms to a career in technology and now into entrepreneurship.

After watching their parents care for aging loved ones, Lauren and her husband, Jon, saw how quickly families can be asked to make complicated decisions with little preparation or guidance. Together, they began building the resource they wished their own families had.

This August, the Noblesville couple launched CAEVO, an AI-powered platform that connects two sides of the aging journey: helping adults plan how they want to age and helping family members care for them when the time comes. Through personalized guidance, wellness resources, document and home planning, and help navigating care and coverage, CAEVO is designed to replace uncertainty with a clearer path forward. This app can be downloaded in the App Store or on Google Play.

Lauren visited campus last week to speak with students and faculty about navigating entrepreuneurship and social impact.

Lauren brings experience in product adoption and enablement from Cisco, LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Thomson Reuters, while Jon’s career has included logistics roles with PepsiCo, US Foods, and Johnson Brothers. Lauren also draws on the design background she began developing at UE, leading CAEVO’s brand, content, and go-to-market strategy. Their work has already been featured by Current Publishing and on the front page of the Indianapolis Business Journal.

At UE, Lauren majored in business administration, minored in visual communications, joined Chi Omega, and spent a transformative summer studying theatre at Harlaxton. She credits her entrepreneurship courses with shaping how she approaches innovation and collaboration, while the friendships she formed remain an important part of her life today.

Lauren and Jon are also raising two young Aces fans, Annie and Jack. The family holds Indiana Fever season tickets, which has special meaning for Lauren, who grew up just blocks from Caitlin Clark in West Des Moines. She also shares her interest in AI through , where she helps parents better understand technology and talk about it with their children.

Her full advice to future alumni captures the spirit behind everything she is building:
“Try. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work out or someone says no. You will be surprised how often simply trying, even when you’re nervous, opens doors you never expected. Take the risk, ask the question, apply for the thing. Don’t let your nerves hold you back.”

09/29/2026

What an incredible weekend celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Chi Epsilon Chapter of Chi Omega at the University of Evansville.

We were thrilled to welcome more than 200 Chi Omega sisters back together for a wonderful evening filled with celebration, sisterhood, and cherished memories!

Here's to 75 years of friendship, tradition, and the bonds that make Chi Omega so special!

09/23/2026

Register now!

https://www.uealumnionline.com/s/1096/bp20/interior.aspx?sid=1096&gid=1&pgid=4926&cid=8303&ecid=8303&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=5181

Family Weekend is almost here! 💜 This weekend, Sept. 25-27, celebrate your UE pride with your family! We can't wait to see you on campus! 🤩