Faculty and Staff

Dr. James Berry

Emeritus Professor of Anthropology

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. Kevin Gray

(he/him/his)

Associate Professor/Sociology and Criminal Justice

Schroeder School of Business Building, Room 57
812-488-1038
kg70@evansville.edu

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

(she/her/hers)

Associate Professor/Sociology

Schroeder School of Business Building, Room 55
812-488-2707
mp168@evansville.edu

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. In addition to her research, Dr. Plikuhn teaches a variety of courses in sociology, including: Marriage and Family, Gender and Sexuality, Death and Dying, Environmental Sociology, and Research Methods. Dr. Plikuhn was named the University of Evansville Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2012, presented the Berger Award for Service in 2016, and awarded the Eykamp Prize for Extraordinary Contributions to the University in 2022. Currently, she is the Director of the Gerontology Center at UE, and serves as the Director of Sociology Programs, coordinating the Sociology and Gerontology majors and the Social and Human Services minor, as well as advising for Pre-Social Work.

Dr. Hanns G. Pieper

Professor Emeritus in Sociology

dp5@evansville.edu

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.

Mrs. Carol McCraney

(she/her/hers)

Administrative Assistant of Political Science

Schroeder School of Business Building, Room 50
812-488-2687
cm177@evansville.edu

Office Phone
812-488-2687

Office Location
Room 50, Schroeder School of Business Building

University of Evansville

Academic Programs
Sociology