Faculty and Staff

Dr. Berry received his PhD in Anthropology from Indiana University and has taught at the University of Evansville since 1978. He is currently Director of Sociology Programs. His areas of interest include native North America, Africa, world prehistory, linguistics, and traditional religions. He received the Dean’s Teaching Award in 2003 and the University of Evansville Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 2011.

Dr. Gray joined the University of Evansville in the Fall of 2005. He earned his PhD at Michigan State University and his MS at the University of Alabama. His undergraduate degree was in sociology from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Gray coordinates the criminal justice program at the University of Evansville. He teaches Introduction to CJ, Deviance and Crime, Juvenile Justice, Policing, CJ Ethics, International Crime and Justice, and Corrections.

Dr. Mari Plikuhn received her PhD from Purdue University in 2010 in sociology with a graduate minor in gerontology. She also holds graduate degrees in sociology and marriage and family therapy. Her area of research specialization is in family sociology, specifically in the success of first-generation college students. Dr. Plikuhn teaches courses in Marriage and Family, Gender and Sexuality, and Death and Dying. Dr. Plikuhn was named the University of Evansville Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2012, received the Sadelle and Sydney Berger Award for Service in 2016, and was elected the Treasurer/Secretary of Pi Gamma Mu, International Honor Society for the Social Sciences in 2017.

Dr. Shelby received his PhD from the University of Louisville in 2016 in applied sociology. He earned graduate degrees in sociology (Western Illinois University) and communications (Trinity International University) and an undergraduate degree in youth ministry and biblical studies (Trinity International University). Dr. Shelby specializes in the study of complex social organizations, most recently Protestant Christian megachurches. He teaches Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods, Statistics, Theory, Community Organization, and Race and Ethnic Relations.

Hanns G. Pieper, Professor of Sociology and Gerontology, completed his graduate work at Louisiana State University and the University of Georgia. He joined the UE faculty in 1977. His areas of specialization include medical sociology, gerontology, and research methodology/statistical analysis. He is the author of over 35 professional research papers, several short monographs, and a book about nursing homes called the Nursing Home Primer. He also writes a newspaper column about aging. Professor Pieper regularly involves students in his research and was awarded the Alumni Outstanding Research/Creative Activity Award in 1988 and the Dean's Teaching Award in 2005. Dr. Pieper is also the Director of the University of Evansville Gerontology Center.