Vol. 24 No. 21 - February 10, 2020

The Princeton Review has again recognized Truman as one of the nation’s top colleges for students seeking a superb education with great career preparation at an affordable price.

Truman was named as a Best Value College for 2020 in a feature recently released by the education services company. It profiles 200 schools in an unranked list that The Princeton Review selected from 656 institutions it considered and surveyed for this year’s project.

The Princeton Review chose its Best Value Colleges for 2020 based on data the company collected from its surveys of college administrators in 2018-19. The company also factored in data from its surveys of students attending the schools as well as PayScale.com surveys of alumni of the schools about their starting and mid-career salaries and job satisfaction figures.

In all, The Princeton Review considered more than 40 data points to tally return on investment ratings of the colleges that determined its selection of the 200 schools for the 2020 project. Topics covered everything from academics, cost and financial aid to graduation rates, student debt, alumni salaries and job satisfaction.

A comprehensive guide to all of Truman’s rankings can be found at truman.edu/about/facts-about-truman/points-of-pride.

Truman has been included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2019-2020 Fulbright U.S. students.

Each year the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes the lists annually.

Published in the Feb. 10 online edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, Truman was included on the list of master’s institutions for producing Fulbright students. The University had four Fulbright students selected from a total of nine applicants. That was good enough to place Truman among the 28 schools on the master’s institutions list. Truman was the only Missouri university to make that particular list.

The Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. More than 2,200 U.S. students and 900 U.S. college and university faculty and administrators are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, some 4,000 Fulbright foreign students and visiting scholars come to the United States annually to study, lecture, conduct research or teach their native language.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 390,000 passionate and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to important international problems. The global network of Fulbrighters fosters mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, advances knowledge across communities and improves lives around the globe.

Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries worldwide and partners with participating governments, host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.

The online submission site for the Student Research Conference is now open and accepting abstracts until 11:59 p.m. March 4.

The 2020 Student Research Conference will take place April 16. This conference is a University-wide celebration of student research, scholarship and creative achievements. Both undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts.

Abstracts need to be sponsored by a Truman faculty or staff member. A copy of the information submitted will be sent electronically to the student’s mentor for approval. Students should work with the faculty mentor before submitting the abstract.

To request a special session designation to ensure student groups present together, email osr@truman.edu by Feb. 26. Faculty-requested special sessions will be included in the discipline options for students to select during abstract submission.

Complete guidelines for the Student Research Conference abstracts and presentations can be found at the SRC website. For any questions about the Student Research Conference email osr@truman.edu.

The Theatre Department will perform “The Charm of Preparedness,” at 8 p.m. Feb. 19-22 in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish.

Based on the book by Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas, “The Charm of Preparedness” is a contemporary comedy about a college that is turned inside out when a pre-med student begins to organize a campus-wide preparedness drill. Is this guy for real, or is this all just a ruse to impress Greta, the nursing student? Will the students who volunteer to play chemical burn victims be able to earn extra credit? Does college actually prepare anyone for anything?

Tickets cost $6 and are available now. They can be purchased from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Theatre Box Office in Ophelia Parrish. Tickets will also be available starting at 7 p.m. on the night of each performance. Reservations for out of town guests may be made by calling 660.785.4515, and those tickets will be kept at the box office until 15 minutes before show time.
 
This show is not recommended for audience members under the age of 13. For more specific information about the show’s themes, contact the box office.

Student Government is hosting the third annual Women’s Leadership Conference from 12-5 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Student Union Building.

This year, with emphasis on professional development and networking, the theme is “Purpose and Potential.” Partnering with the Career Center, the conference will consist of women in government, STEM and community development panels, as well as a keynote speaker, a professional development session and a speed networking session.

A mock interview and resume review team from the Career Center will host a session during the speed network activity where conference attendees will have the opportunity to try out speed interviewing and receive feedback on their resumes. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their resumes to utilize this resource, especially with the Career and Graduate School Expo occurring the week following the conference.

The dress code for the conference is business professional, as there will be a few networking opportunities throughout the day. Finger foods and refreshments will be provided during the conference. All are welcome to attend.

Nationally recognized photographer Jess T. Dugan will give an artist talk at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at the University Art Gallery in Ophelia Parrish.

The presentation will be the keynote address for the Women’s and Gender Studies Conference taking place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 22 in Ophelia Parrish 2210.

Dugan’s “Every Breath We Drew” is currently on display in the University Art Gallery through Feb. 28. The artist is known for portraits that capture a personal encounter with her subjects in rich detail through medium- and large-format photography. Dugan engages the picture-making process to explore the identity of the sitters, focusing in particular on the visual construction of gender and sexuality, and the series encompasses a range of subjects who identify as cisgender, transgender and nonbinary. In this series of portraits, the artist photographed a mix of old friends and new acquaintances with whom she felt a strong connection or intimacy.

Dugan’s work has been widely exhibited and is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Library of Congress, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and many other institutions throughout the United States. She has a Master of Fine Arts in photography from Columbia College Chicago and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She currently lives and works in St. Louis.

This exhibition and programming were generously supported with funding from Missouri Arts Council and the Jonny and Dave Eisenberg Speaker’s Fund at Truman. For more information about the University Art Gallery visit gallery.arttruman.com or follow Truman State University Art Gallery on Facebook.

 
Truman’s forensics union – speech and debate team – competed at the annual Gorlok Gala speech and debate tournament, hosted by Webster University in St. Louis, Jan. 24-26.

The team had a great weekend, earning multiple awards. In individual event speaking, senior Austin Sopko earned fourth place in pentathlon, a category for students who achieve well-rounded success in at least five different speaking events. Sopko placed second in after-dinner speaking and second in duo interpretation, the latter he shared with junior Audrey Baker. Baker and Sopko also earned an excellence award in improvisational pairs, meaning that they were in the top 30 percent of competitors in the event. Baker also earned an excellence award in persuasive speaking.

Senior Rebecca Walker reached finals with her persuasive speech, earning fourth place. Additionally, sophomore Jackson Elder was named the 16th best speaker in varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate.
 
The team will travel next to the Missouri Association of Forensic Activities Championship Tournament, Feb. 13-15 at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo.
 
For more information on how to get involved, visit forensics.truman.edu or contact Christopher Outzen, director of forensics, at coutzen@truman.edu, or Craig Hennigan, assistant director of forensics at chennigan@truman.edu.

 
The Truman Master of Athletic Training program is currently accepting applications for the 2020 cohort that begins July 1. Anyone interested in the MAT program can submit an application now. The MAT program offers personalized learning experiences, small class sizes and hands-on practice on real patients. For questions, contact Brandy Schneider at bschneider@truman.edu.

Truman’s Interfraternity Council spring recruitment runs through Feb. 14. Anyone who missed the recruitment assembly can still sign up and find every fraternity’s event schedule online and on the IFC Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Alpha Phi Omega is a national co-ed service fraternity. Rush is open to all students, even if they did not attend the previous information nights. Students with questions can email apo.epsilon.recruitmentchair@gmail.com.

Leadership Night
5:30-7 p.m.
Feb. 10
Student Union Building Alumni Room

Friendship Night
5:30-7 p.m.
Feb. 12
Student Union Building Down Under

Service Night
5:30-7 p.m.
Feb. 14
Student Union Building Activities Room

The University Bookstore in the Student Union Building is sponsoring a Spa Week Sale, Feb. 10-15. Deals include 25 percent off HBA with a regular purchase. Free massage chair all week, compliments of the Truman Wellness Committee. Yoga demonstration at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 15.

Students with an affinity for business can submit their ideas for the fifth-annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. elevator pitch contest until March 6.
An elevator pitch outlines the concept or idea for a product, service or project in a short period of time, typically from 30 seconds to three minutes. The length of the pitch mirrors the time spent waiting for and riding an elevator in a high-rise building. The purpose of the pitch is to spur the interest of a potential investor or financial backer.

Bulldog B.I.T.E., which stands for Business Innovation by Truman Entrepreneurs, is open to any student or team of students — up to three members — enrolled during the 2020 spring semester. A student or team may submit only one pitch concept for the contest. Participants may pitch a for-profit or not-for-profit concept.

Students will submit a concept or idea for a product, service or project in a video pitch no longer than two minutes by 10 p.m. March 6. The video should not include any props, except the product prototype, and should be one continuous shot. Students must also include an executive summary of their product. The executive summary must contain: name of the individual or team members; problem or issue being addressed by the concept; product description; target market; competitive advantage of the concept; value creation; and expected future use of prize money.

Judges will select six teams to attend the live pitch competition from 4-6 p.m. April 3 on campus to present their product to a panel. The top three finalists will receive cash awards: the cash prize for first place is $3,000; second place is $2,000; and third place is $1,000. Pitch participants, judges, alumni and audience members are then invited to a networking reception following the competition.

The Bulldog B.I.T.E. is sponsored by Villhard Growth Partners and is coordinated on campus by the Office of Advancement.

Alpha Sigma Gamma is a non-selective service sorority that welcomes all undergrad students who identify as female to participate in the recruitment process. The organization will host its spring 2020 recruitment from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 11-13 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. Attendance is mandatory all three nights. Interested students who have a previously scheduled commitment or work can email asg.excuse@gmail.com. Questions regarding recruitment can be directed to asgducks@gmail.com.

Videos from the 2019 TEDx Truman State University conference are now available online. Videos for the following talks can be found here.

Lindsey Heiserman
“Take the Leap - The Case for Community”

Caleb DeWitt
“Teaching Chemistry with Peanut Butter Sandwiches”

A.L. Mueller
“Doing Gender: Why Mindfulnes Matters”

Maguire Radosevic
“Double Standards in Politics: A Game Theory Perspective”

Lizzie Cremer
“Improving Doctor-Patient Communication”

Will Storm
“Practicing Relativity: Leading Communities as an Outsider”

Beta Alpha Psi will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sessions from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 15, Feb. 22 and March 28 in Violette Hall 1424.

VITA offers free tax assistance for clients with low to moderate income levels filing simple tax returns. The tax assistance will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return.
 
Clients who come to VITA should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earnings statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available.
 
For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

Has a professor or research mentor during your time at Truman been incredible? Reward their efforts and accomplishments by nominating them to be recognized at Truman’s annual Academic Accolades Banquet in April.

Every year, the student body selects one professor and one research mentor to receive the Educator of the Year Award and the Research Mentor of the Year Award, respectively. These awards were created to recognize the tremendous impact the recipients have on the classrooms and students they work with.

Has a professor showed a strong commitment to the wellness of their students? Show them your appreciation by nominating them for the Faculty Wellness Honoree of the Year Award. This award was created to recognize professors who are dedicated not only to education, but to aiding their students in one or more of the eight areas of wellness (emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual or environmental).

If you feel you have had one or more professors or research mentors deserving of any of these awards nominate them at senate.truman.edu/nominations by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 16 to reward all of their hard work and show your appreciation for their incredible guidance and inspiration. Contact jmg1286@truman.edu with any questions.

Feb. 19
Violette Hall 1332

The American Marketing Association is a great way to gain a resume-quality experience by utilizing classroom knowledge and creativity during chapter meetings and with real clients. It is also a great way to meet new people in a comfortable environment. AMA is open to all majors.

There will be a Safe Zone training from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Feb. 19 in the University Art Gallery.

The current exhibition, “Every Breath We Drew,” is composed of portraits of the LGBTQ community that explore identity and connection and is the creation of St. Louis-based artist Jess Dugan.
 
Truman’s Safe Zone program was created to have a network of knowledgeable faculty, staff and students in order to create safe and welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Completing the training and displaying a Safe Zone sign indicates participants are committed to increasing their knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues and challenging homophobic and heterosexist comments or behaviors in an educational and informative manner. Safe Zone members are able to provide assistance as needed, including referrals to University Counseling Services.
 
Anyone can become a Safe Zone ally. Participants will learn current terminology and simple ways to create a welcoming campus environment. Contact Brad Turnbull at bturnbull@truman.edu or Summer Pennell at spennell@truman.edu with any questions.

 
The Office of Student Research is accepting TruScholars proposals for research and creative scholarship conducted during the eight-week summer term, June 1-July 24.

During the program, students should devote full-time effort to their project and faculty mentors should be continuously available for consultation and collaboration. Projects will be funded up to a maximum value of $5,750, including a $3,500 max student stipend and $1,750 max mentor stipend.

Complete guidelines for the TruScholars applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due Feb. 19. Questions can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

The Office of Admissions is looking for enthusiastic student leaders with a passion for sharing their Truman experience.

Applications are open for student ambassadors for the 2020-21 academic year. Student ambassadors guide visiting students and their families on campus tours, assist in the recruitment of prospective students and positively represent the University.
 
Scholarship, work-study and volunteer opportunities are available. Institutional positions are available, but limited. Applications can be found online and are due by 8 p.m. Feb. 23. Questions should be directed to Shari Fieser, student ambassador adviser.

Career and Grad School Week provides students opportunities to connect with recruiters and employers to help them find their next steps after Truman. During this week, there are activities leading up to the Graduate Expo and the Career and Internship Expo, such as Expo Bootcamp, a personal statement writing workshop and an etiquette dinner.
 
Monday, Feb. 24
Expo Bootcamp
6-8 p.m.
Feb. 24
Student Union Building 3201-3204
Learn the basics of working an expo, appropriate dress and resumes. Refine your 30-second commercial and learn how to find all of the registered attendees for the expos.

Personal Statement Writing Workshop
5-6 p.m.
Feb. 24
Student Union Building 3200 (Activities Room)
Dave Lusk will present on how to write a personal statement and get students started on their personal statements. Complete this brief form to help the Career Center prepare. Registration is not required.
 
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Etiquette Dinner
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25
Student Union Building Georgian Room A
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal while learning the dos and don’ts of a formal/professional dining experience. Register by completing the etiquette dinner form. Meals are $20 a person.

Wednesday, Feb. 26
Graduate and Professional School Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Feb. 26
Student Union Building Activities Room
Speak with recruiters from grad schools and learn about opportunities in your field.

Thursday, Feb. 27
Career and Internship Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Feb. 27
Student Union Building
Speak with recruiters from non-profit, for-profit and governmental agencies to learn about opportunities in your field.

Professional Photo Booth
11 a.m.-2p.m.
Feb. 27
Student Union Building 3204
Get a free professional photo taken by Tim Barcus, the University photographer.
Pre-Selected Employer Interviews
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Feb.28
Student Union Building

Drawstring packs of food are now available for Truman students experiencing food insecurity. Any student limiting their food intake due to cost is eligible to receive a pack. This semester, food packs will be slightly larger than in the past and will offer students more food options from which to choose.

Packs can be picked up with a Truman ID at the SERVE Center located in Student Union Building 1105 between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Food is provided by Pantry for Adair County in partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri and from generous donations from the Truman community.

The Truman State University Foundation has applications for 2020-21 Foundation Scholarships available now. There is more than $750,000 that will be awarded to current students at Truman. These are scholarships established by generous alumni and friends of the University. Recipients must be enrolled full time during the term of the scholarship to receive the full amount. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Student Finances, Foundation Scholarship Application. There are typically some scholarships with no applicants. Students can submit and revise their application online at any time prior to the deadline of March 6.

In honor of Financial Aid Awareness Month, students are encouraged to check out many of the options they have to support their education.

•    Information about external scholarships can be found online.

•    Students will also be receiving an email regarding Truman State University Foundation Scholarships, and details on how to apply can also be found in the Truman Today.

•    FAFSA applications can be filed for 2020-21.

•    Students are always welcome to visit the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, go online to financialaid.truman.edu, email finaid@truman.edu or call 660.785.4130.