Posted: Thursday, August 18, 2016

University of Evansville professors Ralph Larmann and Mari Plikuhn were honored recently with the Sadelle and Sydney Berger Awards for service and scholarly activity. The two were presented with the awards by Charlie Berger during UE’s Fall Conference.

Larmann, professor of art, was given the Berger Award for scholarly activity. He is very involved with the publication of educational texts, and is the co-writer of Gateways to Art, the best-selling art appreciation text in the United States. It has been adopted at approximately 400 universities and is required reading for many programs.

The London Times called the book’s third edition” one of the best books of 2015.” The London Times also featured it in a full-page review.

Larmann is also an accomplished artist. His work is often displayed in exhibitions at such prestigious galleries as the Swope Art Museum. His work “A Neighborhood of Citizens United” was accepted for exhibition in the Swope’s 69th Annual Wabash Valley Juried Exhibition and received a Nancy and Fred Nation Award of Recognition. In 2014 he exhibited as part of the ENW Exhibition that celebrated the opening of the renovated Evansville Museum.

Plikuhn, associate professor of sociology, was given the Berger Award for service. During her time at UE, she has worked tirelessly to serve the University and her department. She is Grand Marshall for UE’s commencement ceremonies, and co-chair of the Ceremonies Committee. She is also a member of the University’s Faculty Senate’s curriculum and athletic committees.

In addition, Plikuhn serves as faculty advisor for the Society of Social Research and the Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society for the Social Sciences. She is a department representative for UE’s Open House academic fairs and academic sessions. Plikuhn serves as an advisor for the Major Discovery Program and is part of the Student Success Team.

In 2012, Plikuhn was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the UE Alumni Association.  One of those nominating her for the honor noted that she “is willing to help students in any way possible.”

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