Vol. 31 No. 13 - November 9, 2026

The Saint Louis Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker and Broadway Dreams” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in Baldwin Auditorium as the next show in this year’s Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

Established in 1975, The Saint Louis Ballet was originally founded as a nonprofit organization. After taking the role as executive and artistic director in 2000, former New York City Ballet principal dancer Gen Horiuchi has since expanded the organization into a resident ballet company that employs 21 professional dancers and teaches hundreds of students of all ages at the St. Louis Ballet School. The company’s performances reach more than 17,000 people every year.

In their show at Truman, The Saint Louis Ballet will perform selections from Jerome Robbins’ jazz-infused “Interplay,” along with “Pas de Deux” from Christopher Wheeldon’s “Carousel,” concluding the evening with Act II of “The Nutcracker,” including “Waltz of the Snowflakes.”

Tickets will be available starting Nov. 13 to be picked up at any of three convenient campus locations: the Union and Involvement Office in the Student Union Building; the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 205; or the Admissions Office in the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center. Tickets will also be available off campus at the Kirksville Arts Association in downtown Kirksville. Any remaining tickets will be available at the ticket window in Baldwin Hall beginning 30 minutes before the performance. 
 
Tickets for the 2026-27 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, the Friends of the Lyceum program and the Truman State University Foundation.
 
For more information about the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, visit lyceum.truman.edu or contact the Advancement Office at 660.785.4133.

Applications are now open for five different community courses available for the spring 2027 semester.

Taught by Sal Costa, professor emeritus of psychology, “The Psychology of Abnormal Behavior” is an eight-week online and in-person course taking place from 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday. This course will be a scientific study of the causes, assessments and treatments of a variety of psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviors. The class aims to raise awareness of how these issues and problems can have a profound impact on everyday life.

“Community Ceramics,” taught by William McKinney, assistant professor of art, is a full semester course with weekly class meetings from 6-8 p.m. every Monday. As an introductory course, “Community Ceramics” will teach students proper use of ceramic tools, hand building techniques, basic glazing and surface decorating methods, as well as rudimentary knowledge of kiln firings.

Rusty Nelson, professor emeritus of art, will offer “Watercolor: Beyond Basics” as a 15-week online course running Jan. 14-May 7. The course is designed to build upon the foundational skills introduced in INDV 127: Discovering Watercolor or equivalent experience, strengthening observational and brushwork skills while developing a deeper understanding of composition, color theory, value and the expressive possibilities of watercolor.

“The People You’d Never Meet: An Interactive Book Club Inspired by Theo of Golden” is an eight-week interactive book club led by Jesse Wren (’22, ’23, ’24), taking place from 6-8 p.m. every Sunday. Inspired by Allen Levi’s novel, “Theo of Golden,” this course explores the extraordinary stories of people whose paths one might never otherwise cross and challenges students to connect real-life experiences to the themes of curiosity, kindness and human connection from “Theo of Golden.”

In “Essential Skills: Excel 101” with Stacey Kaden, department chair and associate professor of accounting, students will learn the practical foundational skills for Microsoft Excel. Taking place from 3:30-4:20 p.m. every Wednesday, this in-person, hands-on course teaches students to organize information, build formulas, automate calculations, analyze data with functions and lookup tools, create professional charts, and summarize information using PivotTables.

Registration for these courses can be completed online and is open to all non-degree seeking students. Anyone who takes a class – which is offered as a pass/fail option – will receive one hour of college credit.

More information, including full course descriptions and pricing, can be found online at institute.truman.edu under “Community Courses.” For any questions about these courses or registration, contact the Institute for Academic Outreach at 660.785.5384 or institute@truman.edu.

The Truman men’s soccer team concluded its historic postseason run with a 2-0 loss to top-seeded Lincoln in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship match, Nov. 8. 
 
The seventh-seeded Bulldogs reached the conference title match for the first time in program history after advancing past second-seeded Maryville in a quarterfinal penalty-kick shootout and defeating sixth-seeded Missouri-St. Louis 2-1 in the semifinal.
 
Truman finished the season with a 7-7-5 overall record.
 
Following the championship match, Jacob Panagos, Brady Lombardo and Zoran Sabbert were named to the GLVC All-Tournament Team.
 
Panagos scored the game-winning goal with 3:47 remaining in Truman’s semifinal victory over UMSL. Lombardo opened the scoring less than three minutes into that match, while Sabbert played all 90 minutes in both the semifinal and championship match as part of the Bulldogs’ back line.
 
Truman’s postseason run included its first GLVC Tournament advancement and its first appearance in the conference championship match. A complete review of the Bulldogs’ 2026 season will be released this week at trumanbulldogs.com.

Sodexo, Truman’s dining provider, will be shifting some of its hours of operation in an effort to match campus demand and keep costs affordable for students.
 
Beginning in the spring semester, Chick-fil-A will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. 
 
Mainstreet Market in the Student Union Building will close at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays. On Saturdays it will remain open until 6 p.m. with expanded grab-and-go options including soda, candy bars and other retail options. 
 
Also in the spring semester, Sizzlin’ Salads and Spuds will be converted to a self-serve soup and baked potato bar. It will continue to operate Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Sodexo has already adjusted Starbucks hours in the library, based on demand. Earlier this month, Starbucks service shifted to 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and it is now closed Saturdays and Sundays.
 
By adjusting hours, Sodexo is able to meet the demands of peak service times while still optimizing aspects of its operations. Employee schedules and duties will be altered for efficiency as well, and no employees will be displaced or see significant reductions in their hours. These changes will also result in a reduction of food waste.
 
Cumulatively, these changes will help Sodexo offset increased food costs and avoid raising prices for campus diners.  
 
For more information on all Sodexo hours of operation, and to see menu options for featured locations, visit truman.sodexomyway.com.

Truman will celebrate Tag Day Nov. 16, recognizing the generous donors whose support helps make the Truman experience possible.

Established in 2013, Tag Day is an opportunity to show appreciation to the alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends who give back to the University, while raising awareness of the many ways their generosity impacts campus life.

In honor of the occasion, hundreds of donated items and spaces across campus will be marked with distinctive purple tags. While these tags highlight donated items, they represent something much bigger: the generosity of people who believe in Truman and its students. From scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities to athletic programs, research and campus improvements, donor support creates opportunities that impact students every day.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in Tag Day. To help celebrate the generosity behind the Truman experience, snap photos of purple tags across campus and share them on social media using #TrumanTagDay2026.

Anyone who would like to share their favorite Truman memories, stories or how Truman has made an impact on their life are invited to do so by visiting advancement.truman.edu/register/MyStory.

December graduates can pick up their cap and gown from the Truman Bookstore during the upcoming Graduation Fair, taking place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 11. For questions, call 660.717.6140.

Students graduating Dec. 12 can now grab a free Truman alumni shirt from the Alumni Association. Shirts can be picked up at the Graduate Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 11 or from the Office of Advancement between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Complete guidelines for the GIASR applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Nov. 11, 2026. Questions can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

Interested students should apply by Nov. 13 for scholarship consideration. Additional information can be found at studyabroad.truman.edu/programs/faculty-led or by emailing Yung-hwal Park, professor of business administration, at yhpark@truman.edu.

Truman Theatre will perform “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Nov. 13-14 in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a musical comedy that follows six delightfully awkward adolescents as they chase the spelling championship of a lifetime. Between tongue-twisting words and fierce competition, the spellers reveal hilarious and heartfelt glimpses into their chaotic home lives, reminding the audience that growing up is messy, marvelous and anything but predictable.

The musical is directed by Truman student Lillie McLaughlin, a senior theatre and social issue advocacy major.

"What excites me is incorporating audience volunteers into the story, creating an unexpected, improvisational performance each night," McLaughlin said. "I’m also excited to take a well-loved story many people know and interpret it through a different lens, bringing my own artistic perspective to the production."

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at boxoffice.truman.edu or at the theatre prior to each performance. For more information, contact boxoffice@truman.edu.

The Order of Omega will host a campus-wide holiday drive from Nov. 30-Dec. 4. During this time, Order of Omega members will be tabling in the Student Union Building and collecting items including toys, wrapping paper, holiday items and more. Everyone is encouraged to participate in making this holiday season special for the entire Kirksville community. The list of recommended donation items is available below.

The survey is open now at princetonreview.com/college-rankings/student-survey. The form will close at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 18. Submissions completed after this deadline will be considered for the next edition of the Best Colleges guide.

The Missouri Government Internship Program is open to all majors and provides students with the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in the fast-paced world of state politics. Selected interns will work as full-time staff assistants with a legislator or state public official. By interning at the Missouri Capitol, students will expand their knowledge of state government, build a diversified professional network and establish a basis for future professional positions.

Many former interns have gone on to serve as legislative directors, chiefs of staff, judicial clerks, policy analysts, lobbyists and public officials as a direct result of what they learned and the connections they made as interns. The varying daily tasks throughout each office could include attending public hearings, completing legislative research, writing and editing published materials, constituent relations or assisting with basic office work.

Interns will receive a monthly stipend to help pay expenses and 15 hours of Truman credit. Interested students can click here for more information.

Any member of the Truman community can now propose a project, supply or equipment idea to the Athletic Fee Accountability Committee for consideration. Projects should enhance the athletic facilities or equipment on Truman’s campus. The purpose of this proposal is to introduce the project to the committee. Submissions should include as much information as possible, but the committee will assist in refining them.

Individuals that are passionate about the environment and want a direct say in how Truman funds green initiatives are encouraged to apply. Applications can be completed at senate.truman.edu/application. Questions regarding specific position duties or Student Government in general should be directed to Ben Croat, Student Government president, at xa38447@truman.edu.

Eight Truman nursing students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential with induction into the Pi Pi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. 

Sigma Theta Tau is the only international honor society for nursing and is recognized globally for its commitment to advancing nursing excellence. Membership is offered by invitation only to undergraduate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate superior academic performance, integrity and strong leadership potential. Induction into Sigma Theta Tau reflects a student's dedication to scholarship, service and the nursing profession.

Emmalee Drebes, Morgan Puszkar, Alexis Recheck, Andrea Riley, Chesnie Robbins, Parker Sanborn, Emma Smith and Peyton Wells were formally inducted during the ceremony Oct. 15 at Spring Lake Country Club in Quincy, Illinois. The students were joined by fellow inductees from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing in celebrating this significant professional milestone.

The induction ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work and commitment for these students. Throughout their nursing education, they have demonstrated excellence both inside and outside the classroom while preparing to serve patients and communities with compassion, knowledge and professionalism.

Faculty, family members and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the new inductees and to recognize their contributions to the nursing program. Membership in Sigma provides opportunities for professional growth, networking, leadership development, research collaboration and lifelong engagement with a global community of nursing professionals.

Truman’s Department of Nursing congratulates these students on this well-deserved honor. Their induction into the Pi Pi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau reflects not only their academic success, but also their commitment to the values and ideals that define the nursing profession. As they continue their educational and professional journeys, they represent the excellence and promise of the next generation of nurse leaders.

The Truman State University forensics team carried its momentum into fall break with dual travel tournaments at the Missouri Mule and Dale Carnegie Swing, as well as the Motor City Swing. 

Swing tournaments provide the team the ability to get multiple qualifications in a single weekend, as each day of the tournament weekend is considered a separate tournament. However, before the weekend began, Lauren Weiss, third-year biology major, placed third in persuasive speaking in the Online Asynchronous Tournament Series No. 1. 

The lead tournament squad set off for Warrensburg to compete in the three-day Missouri Mule, hosted by the University of Central Missouri. On the first day, individual debaters competed in IPDA, with Jack Unsell, second-year environmental science major, advancing to octofinals in varsity division, and Nick Williams, first-year social issues advocacy major, advancing to quarterfinals in the junior-varsity division. 

On day two of the Mule, team members competed in both individual events and various debate formats. Pairs of debaters competed in team IPDA, with Williams and Eric Rotert, third-year social issues advocacy and criminal justice double major, advancing to quarterfinals in the varsity division. Williams also received sixth place in speaker awards. In Lincoln-Douglas debate, in the junior-varsity division, Ammi McHugh, second-year political science and international relations major, reached semifinals, and Tessa Kremer, second-year statistics major, reached the quarterfinals, both qualifying for nationals. In the varsity division of Lincoln-Douglas debate, Ryan Franklin, third-year statistics major, advanced to the quarterfinals, and Payten Luaders, fourth-year political science and international relations and philosophy and religion double major, was tournament champion, qualifying to nationals. In speaking awards, Kremer took fifth, and McHugh took first in the junior-varsity division, with Franklin taking third and Luaders taking second in the varsity division. In individual events, Weiss placed first in persuasive speaking and fourth in extemporaneous speaking, qualifying for nationals. Weiss also advanced as a semifinalist in impromptu speaking. Willow Adamson, second-year psychology major, took fourth in Poetry Interpretation, qualifying for nationals, as well as first in rhetorical criticism. In program oral interpretation, Jasmin Elwood, third-year accounting major, placed fourth, qualifying for nationals. In dramatic interpretation, Kat Velasquez, first-year political science and international relations major, placed third, and Nikki Jiang, second-year political science and international relations major, placed second, qualifying for nationals. For the Missouri Mule, the team placed third in debate sweeps against notable teams including the University of Missouri-Columbia, Kansas State University and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

For the Motor City Swing at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, on the first day, a smaller squad of team members competed against nationally recognized competition for better speech development. In extemporaneous speaking, Ashton Mullen, fourth-year political science and international relations major, placed fifth, qualifying for nationals, also taking fifth in informative speaking. In rhetorical criticism, Cooper Spacil, third-year political science and international relations and social issues advocacy double major, placed third. In persuasive speaking, Jack Schroeder, third-year history major, placed fourth.

On day two in Warrensburg, in the Dale Carnegie tournament, team members improved on the previous day’s results. In Lincoln-Douglas debate, in the varsity division, Luaders took second and placed first overall in speaking awards. In the junior-varsity division of Lincoln-Douglas debate, Kremer took fourth in speaking awards. In individual events, Weiss placed first in persuasive speaking for the second time and fourth in impromptu speaking. Unsell also took first in impromptu speaking. In informative speaking, Unsell took second, qualifying for nationals. In interviewing, Jiang took fifth. Elwood came back to champion program oral interpretation and took third in prose interpretation, qualifying for nationals. In dramatic interpretation, Velasquez took third, and Jiang took second. Finally, in rhetorical criticism, Adamson took first and Williams took fourth. In team sweepstakes, the team took second in individual event sweeps and second in Debate Sweeps, taking first in overall sweeps for the Dale Carnegie, and taking second in combined sweeps, the average over the two days, out of 17 teams, placing over teams including University of Central Arkansas, Missouri State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

On the second day for the Motor City Swing at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the team finished out the tournament strong. In after-dinner speaking, Sawyer Partney, third-year political science and international relations and economics double major, placed sixth. In extemporaneous speaking, Partney placed third, and Schroeder placed fifth. In impromptu speaking, Partney placed sixth, qualifying for nationals. Mullen placed fourth in informative speaking. In rhetorical criticism, Spacil placed third for the second time. In persuasive speaking, Schroeder placed third. Overall, the team placed second in team sweeps ahead of notable competitors like Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Ball State University.

Truman Trumpet Studio recently attended the 16th Annual Midwest Trumpet Festival at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. 

Student Alex Lee was selected to perform a portion of the Arutunian concerto on a masterclass for guest artist Charlie Porter, and the Truman Trumpet Ensemble performed Ronald Lo Presti’s “Suite for 5 Trumpets” on the student recital. Aren Van Houzen, assistant professor of music, performed the world premiere of “Murder Mystery” for piccolo trumpet and piano by Jen Oliverio, taught basic improvisation concepts and beginning jazz improvisation and led the high school/non-professional warm-up session. 

Also attending the conference was Eric Dickson, associate dean and associate professor of music, who performed “Sonatina for Trumpet and Piano” by Carl Alexius and presented a lecture on mindfulness in practice and performance.

Rao Najam, assistant professor of art and design, received the “Finalist Award” for a project he submitted to Camelback Gallery’s International Juried Exhibition, titled “Black and White 14.” 

Camelback is a virtual art gallery founded in 2017 and based Scottsdale, Arizona. The gallery organizes monthly themed international online juried art competitions in various mediums to give artists, both emerging and experienced, an opportunity to gain online and social media exposure at an international level, enhance their resumes and be a part of a growing community of award-winning artists. 

Najam’s piece, "Choices," reflects on a cultural exchange that happens if/when one moves to a different part of the world.

Jesse Krebs, professor of music, was invited to give a guest lecture for Truman’s Historical Society Club, Oct. 27. His presentation was titled, “Changes Over Time: Exploring the Musical Shift from Hope to Anger during the Civil Rights Movement.”

Heidi Cook, associate professor of art, recently took students in her ART 222: Global Art to 1400 course on a field trip to Cahokia Mounds Archaeological Site in Collinsville, Illinois. Students were able to experience the scale of the city of Cahokia, which flourished from the 10th to the 12th centuries, and learned about Mississippian culture, art and history. They also enjoyed trying their hand at the Native American game Chunkey.

Jerrold Hirsch, professor emeritus of history, delivered a paper, "Not the Journal of American Folklore: Folk-Say (1929-1932)," as part of "Arts, Culture, Politics, and Folklore Studies: Session in Honor of Bill Ivey II" at the annual meeting of the American Folklore Society in Asheville, North Carolina, Oct. 27-31.