College Profile:
University of Southern Indiana

University of Southern Indiana offers a rich learning environment for students. A comprehensive public university established in 1965, USI has experienced rapid growth and enrolls just under 10,000 students. The 300-acre campus is located in Evansville, Indiana’s third largest city. There is an institution-wide commitment to student success, and the word is spreading about the superior teaching programs at USI.

More outstanding high school graduates from throughout the state are choosing USI. Last year the number of freshmen admitted who were in the top 10 percent of their high school class was up 4.6 percent from the previous year; and the number of freshmen admitted who were in the top 25 percent of their class was up 8.3 percent.

USI has a competitive scholarship program that is attractive to top scholars. The Presidential Scholarships are valued at more than $25,000 over four years. These are scholarships for valedictorians from Indiana high schools. Ten scholarships are available each year.
A Baccalaureate/Doctor of Medicine (B/MD) program and Deans’ Scholarships are also appealing. The B/MD program offers simultaneous admission to USI’s premedical program and provisional admission to the Evansville Center of Indiana University’s School of Medicine. Students in the B/MD program receive full tuition waivers during their undergraduate years. Students selected for the Deans’ Scholarship receive awards valued at more than $12,000 over four years.

Other scholarships, loans, and student work opportunities offer financial assistance for the students.

The Curriculum
A liberal arts and science curriculum serves as the foundation of knowledge for USI programs and complements undergraduate programs leading to careers in business, engineering technology, government, health professions, education, and related fields. Sixty majors are offered in five schools including School of Business, Bower-Suhrheinrich School of Education and Human Services, School of Liberal Arts, School of Nursing and Health Professions, and Pott School of Science and Engineering Technology.

Key Facilities
USI offers a suburban atmosphere with inviting walkways and grassy, tree-lined spaces. Academic buildings, administrative offices, and the University Center are located west of the main drive. University apartments and residence halls are located on the northeast and south sides of campus within walking and biking distance of all campus buildings. Construction and renovation projects demonstrate USI’s commitment to serve students with modern classrooms, advanced technology, and appropriate space for academic and student life functions. Since 1999, USI has opened a $15.2 million Liberal Arts Center providing classrooms with cutting-edge technology; built additional residence halls with suite-style accommodations; renovated the Science Center laboratories; opened an art studio with facilities for drawing, painting, and printmaking classes; and added a $4.7 million Recreation and Fitness Center with a group exercise room, playing courts, a fitness area, suspended track, and locker and shower facilities. Current construction projects include a $23.1 million Science/Education Classroom Building expected to be open in 2004 and renovation and expansion of Rice Library to include additional library space, general-purpose classrooms, and office space.

Study Abroad
Study abroad opportunities are available at more than 100 institutions in 38 countries. One of the most popular study abroad experiences for USI students is in England at Harlaxton College, a campus owned and operated by the University of Evansville. Harlaxton College is located an hour by train from London. Students earn credit toward their USI degrees and often enjoy travel to Ireland, Paris, and other destinations on weekends. USI has other programs with the University of Osnabruck in Germany, Yarmouk University in Jordan, and Keimung University in South Korea.

Athletics
USI is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. The men’s and women’s basketball programs are the flagships of the athletic program. Men’s basketball was the first USI varsity sport. In 1995, the men won the University’s first NCAA Division II National Championship. The first varsity women’s sport was basketball. The women’s basketball team has gone to the NCAA Division II Tournament four straight seasons and finished as a 1997 NCAA Division II Finalist. Other varsity sports for men are baseball, cross country, golf, soccer, and tennis.Other women’s varsity sports are cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. The Physical Activities Center houses the athletic staff, provides swimming in an Olympic-sized pool, and has a gymnasium for basketball and volleyball.

Campus visits
Prospective students and families like to tour the campus, meet students and faculty, and see the housing options. Southern Hospitality Days are scheduled throughout the semester for such visits. Individual visits can also be scheduled and virtual visits are available.

Editorial provided by Kathy W. Funke, Director, News and Information Services at University of Southern Indiana.