Vol. 15, No. 16 - Jan. 11, 2011

Features

  • $50,000 Campaign Gift Honors Parents

    Linda Miller (’70) and her husband, Tim Duperron, teamed up with Linda’s brother, Jim Miller, to add to the family’s legacy at Truman through the creation of the Lou and Rita Miller Endowed Scholarship.

    Miller_Linda_&_Tim_Dupperon_2010.jpg
    Linda Miller and Tim Duperron

    The three Truman supporters donated $50,000 to the “Bright Minds Bright Futures” campaign to establish a new scholarship named in memory of Linda and Jim’s late parents.

    Miller_Lou_&_Rita.jpg
    Rita and Lou Miller

    Lou Miller and Rita Clark were both born in Edina, Mo., in the 1920s, and the two became high school sweethearts. During World War II, Lou served as a naval aviator and flew torpedo bombers from the decks of the USS Bonhomme Richard and the USS Saratoga in the Pacific Fleet. After Lou returned from the war in 1946, he and Rita were married, and the couple resided in California for a short time before moving back to the Miller family farm in northeast Missouri. They then settled in Kirksville where Lou began a career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company that ultimately spanned nearly four decades. Rita worked as a telephone operator, a homemaker and an accomplished seamstress.

    Both Lou and Rita are remembered for their devotion to their family, friends and church, as well as their service to others, so when the donors were seeking a way to honor the couple, a scholarship that would assist others was a logical choice. Since the Miller family has strong ties to northeast Missouri, it’s also fitting that the scholarship named in honor of Lou and Rita will benefit students from Knox and Adair counties.

    Lou and Rita’s daughter, Linda, is an alumna and longtime supporter of Truman. She retired from a long and distinguished career with Ford Motor Company, where she served as director of manufacturing for Powertrain Operations, and she is especially interested in supporting students who are studying mathematics and computer science. Linda believes the education she received at Truman gave her the foundation for her many successes, and she is committed to passing along the benefits of a Truman education to future generations of students.







  • Truman Among “Best Values in Public Colleges”

    Truman has again been recognized for its high academic standards and affordable cost.

    Kiplinger’s Personal Finance included Truman on its newly released list, “The Kiplinger 100: Best Values in Public Colleges.” Truman has become a fixture on the annual list, which ranks four-year institutions that deliver a stellar education at an affordable price.

    Truman was the top-ranked Missouri school, coming in at No. 31, and was the only school from Missouri to be listed in the top 50. Of schools from Missouri and the eight neighboring states, Truman is the highest rated university on the Kiplinger list.

    The complete list for “Best Values in Public Colleges” can be found online at http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/colleges. Visitors will find special interactive features, including a reader’s choice poll and data sortable by criteria such as state, tuition cost, average debt, student/faculty ratio and admission rate.

    “Best Values in Public Colleges” can also be found in the February 2011 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

  • Truman Hosts Local Foods Workshop

    In an effort to increase the use of locally grown foods, Truman will host a free “Missouri Farm to School” workshop from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Student Union Building Activities Room.

    “Missouri Farm to School” helps connect schools and universities with farmers. By using more locally grown food, schools can increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and create new market opportunities for farmers.

    The workshop will include first-hand accounts from farmers, food service directors and distributors involved in farm to school programs. Farmers, K-12 and college food service directors, food distributors, food service management companies, school administrators and representatives from agencies and institutions are among those encouraged to attend.

    For more information, go to http://agriculture.truman.edu/farmtoschool or contact Bill McKelvey at 573.746.0770 or McKelveyWA@missouri.edu.
  • Internships Available in Washington D.C.

    The Washington Center will be offering contract government internships for Summer 2011.
     
    Students selected for the program will intern for 10 weeks at offices within the U.S. Department of Defense, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury or other government agencies.

    The Washington Center especially encourages students of business, computer science, mathematics, statistics and engineering, as well as students from diverse backgrounds, to apply.

    Accepted interns will receive significant financial assistance and, if needed, will have access to furnished apartment housing. Students must be U.S. citizens, have at least junior standing with a GPA of 2.5 or above, be available for a 10-week period beginning May 25, 2011 and demonstrate experience and/or a strong interest in working for the federal government.

    Students interested in applying should visit http://www.twc.edu/internships/competitive-government-programs or contact Truman’s Washington Center liaison, Diane Johnson, at djohnson@truman.edu. Applications are due Feb. 4, 2011.

  • New Course Includes Summer Trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons

    Jennifer Hurst, assistant professor of health and exercise sciences, will host an informational meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in Pershing Building 232 to discuss a new summer excursion course offering for 2011.
     
    The five-week course focuses on learning about the national parks through different physical activities. Students will explore the unique geology, history, biology and specific conservation issues of both Yellowstone and Grand Tetons national parks.

    In addition, the course will introduce students to skills and techniques for engaging in outdoor physical activities safely, which will be used to explore these two unique environments.

    An 11-day excursion trip to the national parks will be taken in the middle of the course to include hiking in Yellowstone, whitewater rafting on the Snake River and a one-day beginner mountain climbing course in the Grand Teton mountains.

    Students are encouraged to come and hear more information about the course (e.g., fees, schedule, topics and activities) and to see some of the places they could be studying and traveling.

    For additional questions, contact Hurst at jhurst@truman.edu or 785.4464. This course is open to anyone who wants to enroll.

  • TruScholars Provides Research Opportunities

    This year, the Office of Student Research will once again sponsor the TruScholars Summer Undergraduate Research Program that will support up to 25 undergraduates to conduct intensive research during the summer months.

    The focus of the program is intensive, mentor-student collaborative activity in original efforts directed toward the advancement of knowledge and understanding within all academic disciplines.

    The formal part of the 2011 TruScholars program will coincide with the eight-week Summer semester, beginning June 6 and ending July 29. During this time, students should devote full-time effort to their projects, and research mentors should be continuously available for consultation and collaboration. There are no restrictions against completing additional work for the research project outside of the formal program period.

    Information about the 2011 TruScholars Program can be found on the Office of Student Research website at http://osr.truman.edu/truscholars, and students can download a summary sheet in PDF format that describes the program expectations and application process at http://osr.truman.edu/truscholars/truscholars2011.pdf.

    While the 2011 TruScholars Program is largely similar to the 2010 offering, there are some notable differences. Faculty and students are encouraged to review the program announcement carefully.

    Questions about the TruScholars Program can be directed to osr@truman.edu or 785.4455.


    Details about the TruScholars Program:

    Application materials are available online now at http://osr.truman.edu/TruScholars/application.asp.

    Feb. 4 - Application deadline (5 p.m.)
    Students will be notified of the success of their application in late February.

    June 6-July 29 - Formal part of TruScholars Program (intensive student research; three program-wide meetings)

    Aug. 27 - TruScholars Research Symposium


  • Special Collections Department Reopens in Pickler

    After being closed for mold remediation, the Special Collections Department, located on the third floor of Pickler Memorial Library, reopened Jan. 10 with regular service hours of 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

    A reception has been scheduled for 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Special Collections Department. There will be some special collections items on exhibit and staff will be discussing the treatment of the special collections materials. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

    Last fall, an early detection of mold resulted in the temporary closure of the Special Collections Department. Due to the early detection, none of the documents in the collections were damaged.

    For any questions about the Special Collections Department, or to schedule an appointment to visit, contact Amanda Langendoerfer at 785.7546.

Announcements

  • Students Invited to Participate in the 2011 MLK Challenge

    This year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Collegiate Challenge will take place from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 17. The Multicultural Affairs Center is looking for at least 150 students to participate in this day of community service in Kirksville. Interested students are encouraged to pre-register online at
    http://mac.truman.edu by Jan. 10. Make it a day ON and not a day OFF. For more information, contact Kati Smith at katismith@truman.edu or 785.4142.
  • Faculty/Staff Invited to Participate in the 2011 MLK Challenge

    For the first time, there will be two Faculty/Staff Challenges during the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Collegiate Challenge Jan. 17. Faculty and staff will be divided into two teams or more, depending on the number of participants, to spend the day completing a service project in the community. Alongside 150 student volunteers, faculty and staff can attend the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m., serve from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and then enjoy a reflection dinner from 4-5 p.m. Recipients will receive three free meals and a free t-shirt. Make it a day ON and not a day OFF. Pre-register by Jan. 10 to bcloyd@truman.edu.
  • Celebrating a Lifetime of Touching Lives: A Toast to Mr. Jack Bowen

    Please join the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences and the Truman Alumni Association in:

    Celebrating a Lifetime of Touching Lives: A Toast to Mr. Jack Bowen

    6:30-8 p.m.
    Jan. 15
    A.T. Still University
    Centennial Commons
    800 W. Jefferson Street

    Jack Bowen has touched so many lives in such a positive way. Now that we have received word of Jack’s terminal illness, the time has come for us to share with him the many ways he has enriched our lives. We hope you are able to attend this celebration of life.

    We are also requesting humorous anecdotes, fun recollections and pictures be e-mailed to Chris Lantz (clantz@truman.edu), as these will be made into a memory album to be given to Jack and Melba.

    Donations in his honor can be directed to the Jack and Melba Bowen Scholarship. Gifts can be made online at http://giving.truman.edu or sent to:

    Truman State University
    Office of Advancement
    McClain Hall 205
    100 E. Normal
    Kirksville, MO 63501

    For additional questions, contact Lantz at 785.4456.

  • Spring Semester 2011

    Jan. 17  
    Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

    Feb. 24  
    University Conference

    March 3  
    “Bus Stop”*

    March 7-11
    Midterm Break

    April 5  
    Romance de Tango*

    April 12  
    Student Research Conference

    April 25  
    Spring Break

    April 29  
    Last day of classes

    May 2  
    Finals begin

    May 4  
    Reading Day

    May 6  
    Finals end

    May 7  
    Commencement

    *Kohlenberg Lyceum Event
  • Micro-grants for Service-learning and Research

    Missouri Campus Compact (MoCC) is offering $300 micro-grants for faculty members to conduct course-based service-learning or research during 2011-2012. View the Request for Proposals and download an application at http://missouricompact.missouristate.edu/75746.htm. Applications are due March 1.

    Contact Baillie Cloyd (bcloyd@truman.edu) with questions, to discuss project ideas or for assistance with the grant application. More information is also available at http://servicelearning.truman.edu.
  • TruFit Walking Incentive For Faculty/Staff

    Kickoff Event  
    12:15 p.m.
    Jan. 19
    Student Recreation Center

    Start your New Year off with a BANG by walking 10,000 steps a day!

    Sign-up and see details at http://recreation.truman.edu or call the Fitness/Wellness Director at 785.7738.
  • Scholarship Opportunities

    Truman Foundation Study Abroad Scholarships are being offered for Summer 2011. Ten $1,500 scholarships will be awarded for summer faculty-led Truman study abroad programs based on financial need, statement of purpose and academic achievement. Applications are now available in the Center for International Education Office (Kirk Building 114). These applications are due in the CIE Office by noon on Jan. 28 and recipients will be notified by the end of February.
  • Women’s Club Volleyball

    Women’s Club Volleyball will be hosting an open gym and tryouts for the Spring semester. Any woman is welcome to try out.

    Open Gym
    Jan. 11-12
    4-5:30 p.m.
    Student Recreation Center

    Tryouts
    Jan. 18-19
    4-5:30 p.m.
    Student Recreation Center

  • “As You Like It”

    Presented by the American Shakespeare Center.

    7 p.m.
    Feb. 1
    Baldwin Auditorium
    Free admission


    Tickets will be available starting Jan. 18 and can be picked up at: the Public Relations Office, McClain Hall 101; the School of Arts and Letters Office, Ophelia Parrish 1101; the Information Desk in the Student Union Building; or downtown at
    Edna Campbells.  

  • Interfraternity Council Rush

    Rush Week Sign-ups
    10-4 p.m.
    Jan. 18-20
    Student Union Building

    Rush Assembly
    7-9 p.m.
    Jan. 21
    Student Union Building
    Activities Room, Alumni Room and
    Conference Room

    Rush Week
    Jan. 24-28

  • Spring Activities Fair

    12-5 p.m.
    Jan. 20
    Student Union Building


    The Activities Fair, sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement, is an opportunity for organizations to publicize themselves and for students to learn more about the organizations and their missions.
  • Physics Colloquium

    4:30 p.m.
    Jan. 12
    Magruder Hall 1096
    Summer Research Opportunities in Physics

    This presentation will provide an overview of the variety of summer research opportunities available to physics undergrads, both on and off campus. Students will learn how to identify opportunities, how to submit a competitive application and how to decide between the many offers they will receive. Snacks are provided five minutes before the talk. 
    A list of upcoming colloquia is available at http://physics.truman.edu/colloquia/mainstage.asp.

  • Pickler Memorial Library

    Library-EncouragingDiscovery.jpg

    Food-for-Fines

    Pickler Memorial Library collected 2,081 food items, weighing 1,620 pounds, to donate to local food pantries during the recent Food-for-Fines event. As a result, $1,761 in library fines were waived.

    Thanks to students, faculty and staff for your participation.  Your generosity benefited many local families during the holiday season. Your generosity benefited many local families during the holiday season.

  • On-Campus Athletics


    Bulldog T-purple.jpg

    5:30 p.m. • Jan. 12
    Women’s Basketball
    vs. Missouri Western


    7:30 p.m. • Jan. 12
    Men’s Basketball
    vs. Missouri Western


    1 p.m. • Jan. 15
    Women’s Basketball
    vs. Lincoln University


    3 p.m. • Jan. 15
    Men’s Basketball
    vs. Lincoln University


    6:30 p.m. • Jan. 21
    Men’s Swimming
    vs. Missouri S & T


    1 p.m. • Jan. 22
    Women’s Swimming
    vs. Drury University


    1 p.m. • Jan. 22
    Men’s Swimming
    vs. Drury University


    5:30 p.m. • Jan. 26
    Women’s Basketball
    vs. Pittsburg State


    7:30 p.m. • Jan. 26
    Men’s Basketball
    vs. Pittsburg State


    7 p.m. • Feb. 4
    Wrestling
    vs. Central Baptist College


    1 p.m. • Feb. 5
    Women’s Basketball
    vs. Southwest Baptist


    3 p.m. • Feb. 5
    Men’s Basketball
    vs. Southwest Baptist


    Follow all of Truman’s teams online at
    http://trumanbulldogs.com.
  • Celebrating Community T-shirts

    A limited number of Celebrating Community T-shirts are still available in the following sizes:

    Small • $5

    2XL • $7

    T-shirts can be purchased in the Public Relations Office, McClain Hall 101, during regular business hours while supplies last.

  • SRC Holiday Hours

    The Student Recreation Center will be open from
    11 a.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 17.
  • Truman Intramural Sports Planner

    Activity: Basketball
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Jan. 18
    Captains’ Meeting: Jan. 19
    Play Begins: Jan. 24
     
    Activity: Wiffleball**
    League: Men's/Women's
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 18
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Jan. 22-23
     
    Activity: Badminton-Singles
    League: Men's/Women's
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 25
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Jan. 29 & Feb. 5
     
    Activity: Badminton-Doubles
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 25
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Jan. 29 & Feb. 5
     
    Activity: Super Bowl Pickem
    League: Open
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 21
    Captains’ Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: Feb. 6
     
    Activity: Raquetball-Singles***
    League: Men's/Women's
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Feb. 15
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Feb. 19-20
     
    Activity: BAGGO
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Feb. 22
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Feb. 27
     
    Activity: Volleyball
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Mar. 1
    Captains’ Meeting: Mar. 2
    Play Begins: Mar. 14
     
    Activity: Outdoor Soccer
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Mar. 1
    Captains’ Meeting: Mar. 2
    Play Begins: Mar. 14
     
    Activity: NCAA March Madness BB
    League: Open
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Mar. 14
    Captains’ Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: Mar. 15
     
    Activity: Closest to the Pin
    League: Men's/Women's
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Mar. 29
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Apr. 3
     
    Activity: Swim Meet
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 5
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Apr. 7
     
    Activity: Ultimate Frisbee
    League: Co-Rec
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Apr. 12
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Apr. 16-17
     
    Activity: Punt Pass & Kick
    League: Men's/Women's
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 19
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Apr. 20
     
    Activity: Track Meet
    League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 19
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: Apr. 21
     
    Activity: T-shirt Design Contest
    League: Men's/Women's
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Apr. 29
    Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
    Play Begins: NA
     
    All information, rules and registration requirements are online at http://recreation.truman.edu/intramuralrec.asp or contact the Intramural Office at 785.4467. Captains’ Meetings will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the SRC Conference Room.
    **New Sport
    ***All racquetball matches will be played at the A.T. Still Thompson Campus Center.

Notables

  • Notables

    Aaron Fine, professor of art, and his brother Peter Fine, associate professor of art at New Mexico State University, recently had their paper “Whiteout” published in “Racism and Borders: Representation, Repression, Resistance.” This paper was written collaboratively and was originally presented at the College Art Association Annual Conference in Los Angeles in 2009.

    Amanda Krus, a chemistry and biology major, has been honored with the 2011 Student Leadership Award by the American Chemical Society. Krus, a junior, is one of only 15 students in the nation chosen to receive the award. The award recognizes her leadership activities over the past several years as part of Truman’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS), as well as her potential for leadership in the future. During this time, Krus has, among many other activities: organized Musical Demo Shows both on and off campus; helped produce an award-winning YouTube video about chemistry; and organized the Chemistry Department’s weekly seminar series. As part of the award, Krus will attend the 2011 ACS Leadership Conference in January where she will interact with national leaders from throughout the ACS. Krus is the first Truman student to receive this honor.

    H. David Wohlers, professor of chemistry, and his wife Debra were invited guests of Kareem Dale, special assistant to the president for disability policy, for a special holiday open house at the White House Dec. 3 as part of the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This holiday was established by the United Nations in 1981 to focus attention on the rights of persons with disabilities and the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities around the world. Wohlers and his wife Debra, executive director of the Adair County SB40 Developmental Disabilities Board, also attended a conference at the U.S. State Department on the same day, hosted by Judy Heumann, special advisor for international disability rights in the Department of State. A variety of internationally recognized experts and advocates in the field of disabilities presented information at the conference regarding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, violence against women and girls with disabilities, and HIV/AIDS and disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, based on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, represents the first human rights treaty of the twenty-first century. President Barack Obama made the United States a signatory nation in July 2009, but the U.S. Senate still needs to ratify the treaty, which requires 67 votes.