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DeVault, Kassenbrock, and Swenty honored for 25-years of service to UE

Posted: Friday, August 17, 2018

Each fall, The University of Evansville honors those who have given 25-years of service to the institution. This year three people were recognized: Sylvia Devault, Debbie Kassenbrock, and Brian Swenty.

Each was recognized and was given an engraved bowl from the University during Fall Conference to show our appreciation for their years of dedication and service.

Sylvia DeVault is a graduate of the University of Evansville. Her very first professional position was at Harlaxton as dean of students during the 1987-88 academic year.  She returned to the campus of alma mater in 1993 to serve as director of alumni relations. During her tenure as director, DeVault helped build the alumni volunteer program and the first alumni web site. She also helped develop social media sites. She assisted in the establishment of the UE African American Alumni and Harlaxton Society as alumni associations. Taking a break from her duties as director, DeVault served as a major gifts officer for two years and then returned to the role of director of alumni and parent relations in 2000.  In March of this year, she began a new role as corporate and foundation relations officer.

Debbie Kassenbrock began her career at UE in 1993 as an admissions office visit coordinator. She organized private visits for students, road trips, and fly-ins as well as UE prospective coaches. In the year 2000, she became the director of academic advising and the associate registrar. In 2015, Kassenbrock was also appointed as director of the resource center. As director of academic advising, she supervises the Writing Center, supplemental instruction, and tutoring, helps students with time management and study skills and advises new and transfer students. She collaborates with the admission office concerning admitted students’ academic inquiries, meets with students to assist them with their appeals to the Admissions and Standards Committee, and speaks at the SOAR and STAR programs. Kassenbrock holds numerous memberships including the Patricia Snyder Speakers Series, UE’s Theatre Society, UE’s President’s Club, and the Purple Aces Club. She is past president of the Office Staff Association and has been recognized as an Outstanding Athletic Advisor.

Brian Swenty began his career at UE as an assistant professor in the mechanical and civil engineering department. Previously, he was director and chief engineer for the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Rolla, Missouri.  He is currently chair of the mechanical and civil engineering department. Swenty is licensed as a professional engineer in California, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. He is active in the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is well-published and has presented at numerous conferences. Swenty’s service to the University is exemplary and includes serving as interim dean in the College of Engineering and Computer Science in 2017 and part of this year as well. He has received the Dean’s Outstanding Teaching Award twice. He has also received the UE Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award, the Berger Award for Service, the United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award, and the Distinguished Service Award from Harlaxton College.

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