Vol. 23 No. 37 - July 22, 2019

Truman is a school known for having smart, motivated students, and the University recently created a new role to help some of the more ambitious Bulldogs capitalize on their entrepreneurial dreams.

The University has established the Entrepreneurship Fellow program, a collaborative partnership between the Academic Affairs and Advancement offices, designed to coordinate and expand entrepreneurship education efforts on campus.

Chuck Boughton, instructor of business administration, has been tapped to serve as the inaugural fellow. He brings more than 30 years of experience as an educator, business leader and consultant to the role. In an effort to develop a long-term vision of how the University can best support its students, faculty and alumni entrepreneurs in ways that further Truman’s educational mission and liberal arts values, he will work with an advisory committee, faculty members and students.

“There are a lot of interesting things happening on campus, but they’re fragmented,” Bougthon said. “What we’re hoping to do with this new endeavor is to try and create a platform, or a forum, to coordinate, communicate and expand these activities.”

Along with student groups like Enactus, Community of College Entrepreneurs and the Student-Run Business Initiative, Boughton acknowledged there are several classes led by faculty members that promote entrepreneurship, as well as individual efforts. The increasing number of participants in the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. pitch competition is also an indication of a growing need for the new program.

“We’ve got pockets of entrepreneurship sort of springing up independently,” he said. “What we are trying to do is identify those pockets, build on them and promote that spirit of entrepreneurship.”

The fellowship program will go beyond the bounds of fields typically associated with entrepreneurs and could possibly involve any person, department or program at Truman.

“It doesn’t matter what part of the University you’re in, you’ve got passions, you’ve got interests, you’ve got things that could very well turn into meaningful lifelong opportunities,” Boughton said.

One aspect Boughton hopes to include is internship opportunities that could give students an idea of what it is like to start and run a business rather than be an employee in an established outfit.

“The primary focus right now is on generating internship opportunities that are with new start-ups, companies that are maybe six months to two years old,” he said. “We’re reaching out to alumni and other friends of the University to generate more internship opportunities for students.”

Although the Entrepreneurship Fellow program is still in its infancy, Boughton foresees a time when it provides an additional path to success for students just like established programs currently do.

“The way I look at the Truman experience is, it’s a continuum,” he said. “It starts with recruiting students to Truman and building our student base, and then having meaningful opportunities and experiences for students while they’re here that are tailored to their interests.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Entrepreneurship Fellow program at Truman can contact Boughton at boughton@truman.edu.

The Institute for Academic Outreach, in collaboration with departments of various schools, operated the pilot of JBA Jr. – a spinoff of the highly successful Joseph Baldwin Academy – this July.  

The program’s goal is to help students from neighboring rural communities get excited about the possibility of college and to begin believing that college is a realistic goal for their future.

Forty-seven 4th-6th grade students from northeast Missouri schools attended the five-day program during the day, which exposed them to various assets of the Truman campus, including the planetarium, herpetarium, science labs, Pickler Memorial Library – including the multimedia lab and special collections – the University Farm, athletic training facilities, and ROTC.

Attending students also worked with Master of Arts in Education students in the ED 608 class as well as several Truman faculty, staff and undergraduate students.

Students toured campus and ate daily in Ryle Hall cafeteria. Participation was subsidized with Foundation funds, enabling students on free and reduced lunch to attend at minimal cost. Local school districts partnered with Truman to provide transportation.

Based on the pilot, the Institute hopes to expand the program to a larger number of students in 2020. Unlike the Baldwin Academy, JBA Jr. does not impose restrictions for entry based on test scores and aims to inspire enthusiasm for learning in all ability groups.

Based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name, “Young Frankenstein” follows Frederick Frankenstein – grandson of the infamous monster creator Victor Frankenstein – after he inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and a leggy lab assistant, Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors.

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased in advance at the Aquatic Center, located at 801 E. Mill St., or at the door. Due to adult humor and themes, parental discretion is advised. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 660.627.1485 or visit the website.

Foundation loans can come in the form of short-term loans, long-term loans, access loans and cultural loans specifically for study abroad trips. Applications go through the Financial Aid Office and are repaid directly to the University. Banks and outside lenders are not involved in the process.

To be eligible for a Foundation loan students must be enrolled on a full-time basis and be in good academic standing. Students also need to demonstrate an ability to repay the loan in a timely manner. Deferments of up to five years are available for cultural and long-term loans, provided the student is enrolled on a full-time basis.

In addition to scholarship assistance, the loan program is an example of the immediate impact of donations to the Truman State University Foundation. Gifts from alumni and friends allow Truman to provide assistance directly to students as they pursue their education.

For more information on the Foundation loan program, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@truman.edu, at 660.785.4130 or in person at McClain Hall 103.

The Move-In Day Committee is seeking student volunteers for move-in day. Volunteers will be needed starting at 8 a.m. Aug. 14 to help unload cars and carry items to rooms. Students, faculty, staff, student organizations and athletic teams interested in contributing their time and effort in helping incoming students can sign up here.

Student Affairs and the Career Center have been relocated. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards are now located in Student Union Building 3100. The Career Center is temporarily located in the Student Union Building 3204 until construction is completed in Student Union Building 1110. Telephone numbers for each area will remain the same.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020-21 school year, and prospective students can find everything they need at apply.truman.edu. Those who are ready can apply directly on this page.  

Incoming freshmen are encouraged to review the University’s TruMerit Scholarship – determined by a combination of ACT/SAT score and GPA – to see if they are eligible for automatic admission which would then require only an undergraduate application, transcript and verified test score required.

To be considered for competitive scholarships in addition to the automatic TruMerit Scholarship, an activities list and essay are strongly recommended. For students who do not qualify for automatic admission, a holistic review of all application materials will be conducted to gain a more complete understanding of a student’s skills and talents.

The Common Application will be available Aug. 1 for students utilizing that option. The Office of Admission will begin the review process Sept. 1.

Alumni and friends who would like to refer a prospective student to the University can do so online.

2 p.m.
July 30
Back of Library Café

Truman’s tree campus committee, in conjunction with the city and the Department of Conservation, will host Smokey Bear’s 75th birthday celebration from 3-8 p.m. Aug. 3 on the quad.

The event will have around 12 different stations set up with things to do and explore including pictures with Smokey, professional tree climbing for kids, archery, bb gun shooting and touch-a-truck. There will be local groups selling food and drinks. Keep an eye out for more information through the local Department of Conservation.

Smokey Bear was created to help raise awareness for wildfire prevention, part of the longest-running public service announcement campaign in U.S. history.

Faculty and Staff Fall Opening Assembly
2:30-4 p.m.
Aug. 14
Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall
Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW)
1-5 p.m. Aug. 15
8 a.m.-11:50 p.m. Aug. 16
Violette Hall 1000

Truman Lecture
“And Then I Realized Adventures Were the Best Way to Learn”
Jennifer Hurst, professor of health and exercise sciences
7 p.m.
Aug. 15
Baldwin Auditorium

Ready-or-Not Luncheon
12-1:30 p.m.
Aug. 16
Student Union Building Georgian Rooms

Opening Convocation
3:30-4:50 p.m.
Aug. 16
Baldwin Auditorium

Truman faculty and staff volunteers are needed for the Truman Days Picnic from 5:30-6:50 p.m. Aug. 15 on the quad. To sign up, email Tracy Findling with Student Affairs or call 660.785.5404.

The Office of Advancement is accepting applications for the spring 2020 annual fund internship.

The intern will gain experience working on the fundraising side of a non-profit organization within Truman, specifically the Truman Foundation. Responsibilities will be divided between three main focus areas: Tel-Alumni coordinator, Office of Advancement projects and office hours with a focus on development projects such as the Student Giving Campaign and the Student Alumni Association.

Qualified applicants will be a business or communication major with a minimum of 2.75 GPA. The intern will work 15 hours a week for approximately 11 weeks and receive class credit commensurate with their time in the office. A supplementary stipend is also included.

For a complete job description, visit TruPositions or click here. Deadline for applications is Dec. 6. Contact Michael Burbee with further questions.

The University Board of Governors will meet at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.

July 22-26
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

July 27-28
Closed

July 29-Aug. 2
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Aug. 3-4
Closed

In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. To have an officer dispatched for a non-emergency, call 660.665.5621.