Vol. 24 No. 31 - April 27, 2020

Zoe Frantom, a senior nursing major from Arlington Heights, Ill., recently won a $500 prize by sharing her appreciation for a liberal arts education.

Frantom’s essay, “A Merging of Passions,” earned her the David J. Prior Award from the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Created in 2012 to recognize senior-level undergraduates whose academic careers and future goals have been shaped by the transformative power of the liberal arts and sciences experience at a COPLAC institution, the award celebrates the legacy of Prior, who dedicated his career to undergraduate teaching.

In her essay, Frantom described how she wanted to attend a liberal arts institution due to a multitude of interests, particularly music and medicine. Her prowess playing the clarinet earned her a scholarship to Truman, but she also was fascinated with health and anatomy.

“When I reached the end of high school it felt like I was at a crossroads with music: I either had to make it my entire life and career, or I had to let it fall to the wayside to pursue something else,” she wrote.

While Frantom originally declared as a music major, she quickly felt it was not her ideal path. She had no desire to teach music or rely on performing as a career. Picking an alternative major was not a problem in terms of interest, but she did have reservations about being ostracized by her fellow musicians and missing out on experiences. She soon learned her fears were unfounded.

“When I switched my major, my passion for music was renewed, and I was able to take lessons, perform in studio class and play in the top wind symphony for three years, in addition to playing in my own senior recital,” Frantom wrote. “I wasn’t simply allowed to do these things – I was encouraged to do them. I had the best of both worlds, studying nursing while also playing the instrument I love alongside amazing musicians.”

Ironically, opportunities through her music organization led Frantom to realize how powerful and healing music can be. Through Sigma Alpha Iota, she was able to share music in the community at a nursing home, a day care center and the YMCA. Seeing a nursing home resident sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” brought Frantom to tears.

“It was amazing to see how much we could touch people just by sharing our love of music with them, and we made so many wonderful connections with the community that we would not have made otherwise,” she wrote.

Frantom has already integrated the healing power of music into other situations. While working as a nurse assistant at an overnight camp last summer, she started utilizing her ukulele for daily singalongs with her fellow employees at the end of their 16-hour shifts.

“It was amazing to see how a few songs transformed the atmosphere from anxiety-ridden to relaxed and joyful,” she wrote. “I hope to continue incorporating music in any way I can throughout my career to help both nurses and patients to heal and cope with difficult emotions.”

Frantom will receive her nursing degree at the conclusion of the semester and is currently applying for nursing jobs in Chicago. Her future patients and colleagues will no doubt benefit from the experiences she was able to have as an undergraduate.

“I firmly believe that if I were at a different college, I would not have had many of the opportunities that I was offered at a liberal arts institution,” she wrote. “Because of my education in interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge and critical thinking, I now have a well of insight that will allow me to use creative and dynamic approaches to serve my future patients and fellow nurses.”

Frantom is the second Truman student in as many years to receive the David J. Prior Award. Alumnus Elijah Farrales was the 2019 winner.

Victor Wei, a freshman computer science and business administration double major, won the 2020 Bulldog B.I.T.E. elevator pitch competition.

As the winner, he received the Cody Sumter Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award and earned a prize of $3,000 for his pitch of a colancing business, which allows college students to do freelance work by connecting their expertise to students in their university community who are looking for those services.

Quinn Miller, a senior business administration major, received the Amanda Gioia Entrepreneurship Award and earned $2,000 for his pitch of high-speed gym washing machines. Carson Heumphreus, a senior business administration major, finished third and won $1,000 for his pitch of a financial debt solution.

The other students who made the finals were, Linphi Buipham, a senior business administration major, Justin Galang, a sophomore computer science major and Hunter Lambert, a senior finance major.

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, allowed participants to pitch a for-profit or not-for-profit concept. The competition is funded through the Villhard Innovation Fund, which was created by Doug and Diane Villhard to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship at Truman and has received gifts from both individual and corporate donors.

Judges selected six individuals/teams to attend the finals April 3. This year’s finals were conducted through a Zoom meeting. Contestants were judged based on the problem, product/service solution, market, competition, value creation, seed money, a Q&A session and the presentation of the concept.

The first round judges for the Bulldog B.I.T.E. were Carolyn Chrisman (’04) and Derek Weber. The practice round judges were Stephanie Ahrens-Mills (’07), Elizabeth Gregory, Bill King (’89), Anastasia Tiedemann and Jonathan Walker. The final round judges were Amy Gryder (’97), Stephanie McGrew (’10) Mindy McCubbin (’97) and Cody Sumter (’10).

Truman’s Joseph Baldwin Academy has been moved online for summer 2020.

Since 1985, JBA has offered highly talented middle school and junior high students a head start on their future university careers by allowing them to spend three weeks as college freshmen. Approximately 400 students attend the summer program. Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and out of care for the health and safety of the students and staff, JBA will be offered online only in one session, July 6-24.

Faculty will provide instruction for 1-2 hours per day, Monday through Friday, and students will complete research and projects related to their course offline, or in online groups of their peers organized and guided by staff. Students will be able to engage with college-level content, their instructor and fellow students.

Beyond academics, the JBA staff is building an online social experience utilizing the same online tools as classes. Students will meet and get to know their peers while engaging in fun and entertaining activities, just as they would normally at JBA. Each day will include 1-2 hours of activities, along with daily challenges that encourage students to extend activities beyond the scheduled online time. Part of the goal with the design of this program is to give students engagement opportunities that get them away from the computer and outside.

The cost for JBA Online has been reduced from the normal rate. Previously awarded scholarships and financial aid will be honored.

JBA Online is the only summer program conducted through the Institute for Academic Outreach that will continue in 2020. ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy, Taiwan at Truman and JBA Junior have all been cancelled for this summer.

Questions regarding JBA Online or other summer academies can be directed to tiacademies@truman.edu. 

The William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award pays tribute to excellent faculty advisors and demonstrates how important academic advising is at Truman. This is an opportunity for students to honor faculty advisors in their departments. The award recognizes outstanding advising/mentoring by a full-time faculty member who is nominated by students.

In addition to campus-wide recognition at the Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop in August, the awardee receives a $1,000 grant to be used for the enhancement of student advising.  

To make a nomination for the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award, complete the online nomination form.
 
Nomination deadline is 5 p.m. April 29.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some confusion, the 2020 Census is still being conducted, and there are some important things for students to consider.

The census is conducted every 10 years, and it is a critical resource. Census data is used to calculate the number of elected representatives each state gets, and it is also considered in deciding where to build factories, offices and other resources that serve local communities. The census is used to improve transportation, infrastructure and affordable housing.

For college students, the census affects federal student loan programs, campus funding, health and social services, campus improvements and various legislation. It is crucial all college students participate in the census and do so correctly.

April 1 is the official census date, and everyone should fill out the census based on where they would have been living on that date under normal circumstances. Students who were living off campus and have returned to their hometown due to the coronavirus pandemic should take that into consideration when they fill out the census. Students who were living on-campus have already been counted through Residence Life, and they do not need to take any action.

Students can complete the 2020 Census online at my2020census.gov. For more information, visit census.mo.gov.

Visit the Wellness website and utilize the new #BetterBulldog Resources webpage with links to virtual workouts, nutrition information and helpful apps. To have a specific website or wellness content promoted on the page, email dreamweaver@truman.edu.

Positive Peers is a student-run mental wellness support group open to all Truman students. The organization is now searching for new facilitators and executive board members for the Fall 2020 semester. Apply online or contact positivepeerstsu@truman.edu for more information. Applications can be found here and are open until 11:59 p.m. May 3.

Spring rental textbooks from the University Bookstore are due May 8. The return period has been extended to May 15 with no penalty. Students can print a pre-paid return label from the bookstore website.
 
There are two ways to get a rental return label:
1. Wait for the rental reminder email that is sent 14 days before the rental due date. Email is sent again seven days, three days and the day of your due date. This email contains a link to generate a free return shipping label and packing slip.
 
2. Students also can immediately generate a free return shipping label at shoptruman.com.

Log into your account:
a. Click the “Sign In” link on the top right side of the page to sign into your account.

b. Enter the email address you provided at the register when you rented. Note: Even if you rented in the store, an account was created using the email you provided at the register. If you don’t know your password, you can click “Forgot Password” link for a temporary password to be emailed to you.

c. Once you’ve signed in, click the link “Rentals.” You will be navigated to the Rentals page in your account.

d. On Rentals page, scroll down the page to see the books you rented. Click the link “Return All Rentals by Mail.” You can also click the button “Return by Mail.” Both open a pop up to select your rentals to ship back.

e. Follow the steps to generate and print the return label and packing slip. This option is available until your rental due date.
Contact bookstore@truman.edu with any questions or concerns.
 
Students can order their summer textbooks online at shoptruman.com for home delivery or store pickup.
 
The bookstore will continue to follow the social distancing guidelines including staff wearing masks and customers keeping at least six feet distance.

A new way to celebrate Purple Friday (or any other day of the week) during online meetings is through Truman-themed Zoom backgrounds. Six new backgrounds are now available at identity.truman.edu/zoom-backgrounds. Instructions for how to use the new backgrounds are also on the website.

Anyone who would like to show support for their fellow Bulldogs during this time can print out a free window sign featuring Flat Spike. Similar to the phenomenon of hunting for teddy bears in windows, children can keep an eye out for Flat Spike, and the signs serve as a reminder that everyone is in this situation together. Printable signs can be found here and here.

Each year Truman nominates students for national fellowship opportunities who have shown outstanding academic performance and exceptional service accomplishments. The application process is very rigorous and highly competitive, but the University provides support as students prepare for and then apply to these prestigious scholarships.
 
Listed below are several of the major national fellowships and their websites. More information about these fellowships is available at www.truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/fellowships.

For Graduate Studies
Fulbright Grants
Research grants and teaching assistantships for a year abroad

Rhodes Scholarships
Grants for two years of study at Oxford University

Marshall Scholarships
Awards for two years of study in any British university

Mitchell Scholarships
One year of graduate study or research in Ireland or Northern Ireland

Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Awards for an advanced degree or second bachelor’s degree at the University of Cambridge

 
For Undergraduate Studies
Goldwater Scholarships
Up to $7,500 annually for tuition, fees, books, room and board for science and mathematics majors

Harry S. Truman Scholarships
For senior year and post-graduate study leading to a career in public service

Udall Scholarships
For students interested in careers related to environmental issues or for Native Americans and Alaskans interested in careers related to health care and tribal public policy

Carnegie Endowment Junior Fellowships
For students interested in international affairs to work as research assistants to the Endowment’s senior associates in Washington, D.C. for a full year

Boren Scholarships
To study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests

The Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation will offer the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship, named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy.

Purdy was born in 1914 on a farm near Macon and was the first in his family to attend a four-year college. He worked in the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture before becoming the campus’s first director of scholarships and student financial aid.

The scholarship is designed to provide merit-based scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and who have a need for additional resources for higher education. The scholarship amount can vary based on an applicant’s circumstances. The general range will be $1,000-$5,000 based on expected family contribution (EFC), unmet need and other factors.

Applicants must be a Missouri resident, typically a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA, a U.S. Citizen, attending a Missouri public four-year university or the State Technical College of Missouri, and be a sophomore, junior or senior in college. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2020. Applications should be submitted online through Scholarship Central at moslf.org. To access more information about this scholarship, click here, or contact the Financial Aid Office at 660.785.4130.