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, assistant professor of sociology, teaches the Introduction to Sociology course for Honors students. This course increases students’ knowledge of sociology and its concepts and theories. Students explore the basic social institutions, systems of inequality, and social forces that shape our world, focusing on the intersections of social institutions and how they impact lives.| The Honors course in particular allows students to apply what they learn in writings about concerns in society. This analysis of society hones students’ critical thinking skills and challenges them to see a variety of perspectives.

"I warn students on the first day that, once they take this class, they will never see the world the same way," explains Dr. Plikuhn. "It is impossible to take a sociology class without learning to see the interconnections of society, and how the puzzle of people fits together. Understanding and taking this ‘sociological perspective’ is one of the central concepts in sociology, and it is the most important idea a student takes away from my class."

On teaching Honors students, Dr. Plikuhn notes, "Since this course also serves as a general education requirement, I have Honors students from a wide range of majors. It is easy to expect that these students will be smart, but they are also engaged in their campus and broader community, focused on the pursuit of a broad educational experience, and have a great outlook on society."

Dr. Plikuhn holds a BA in sociology/clinical psychology, a MS in sociology, a MS in marriage and family therapy, and a PhD in sociology with a graduate minor in gerontology. Her research expertise is in family sociology, life course transitions, and demography. Her current research projects include: first-generation college students and the role of family in determining academic outcomes; fertility, infertility, perinatal loss, and childlessness across the life course; and scholarship of teaching and learning. In 2012, Dr. Plikuhn received the University of Evansville Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, as well as the Teaching Innovations and Faculty Development Award from ASA/SAGE.

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.