Vol. 24 No. 32 - May 4, 2020

The annual list of outstanding students has been released. The recipients are determined by their respective departments. A ceremony recognizing all of the recipients will take place at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at a location to be determined.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art
Audrey Brinkhorst

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art History
Emily Pollman

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art: Studio Art
Linnea Moody

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art: Visual Communication
Rebecca Comas

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Classics
Mary Fletcher

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Creative Writing
Monica Fallone

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in English
Jacob Colangelo

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in German
Cody Boyd

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Linguistics
Cole Flottman

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music: General
Shayla Hinson

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music: Performance
Adam Barker

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music: Pre-Certification
Jocelyn Brauns

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Russian
Nolan Schad

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Spanish
Ross Jones

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Theatre
Molly Garrison

Outstanding Graduate Student in English
Emmy Nixon

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Accounting
Carly Garnett

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Finance
Quinn Miller

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: International Business
Madison Schmerbach

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Management
Kayla Peterson

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Marketing
Aren Buresh

Outstanding Graduate Student in Accounting
Stacey Doggett

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Athletic Training
Chad Verdier

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication Disorders
Thea Cornwell

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Exercise Science
Lily Merz

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Health Science
Anna Livingstone

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Nursing
Carlie Burns

Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Disorders
Shiloh Wilson

Outstanding Graduate Student in Education/Elementary
Kaitlin Hackbarth

Outstanding Graduate Student in Education/K-12
Marissa Gress

Outstanding Graduate Student in Education/Secondary
Nichole Schroeder

Outstanding Graduate Student in Education/Special Education
Michaela Mooney

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agricultural Science
Matthew Backes

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Clara Wolf

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biology
Mahima Thapa

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Chemistry
John Kilian

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Computer Science
Claire Fuchs

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Mathematics
Karie Schmitz

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Physics
Jordan Shroyer

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Statistics
Amelia Coyne

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Anthropology
Mallory Rodell

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Communication Studies
Alex McPherson

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Journalism
Orielle Heilicher

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Public Communication
Lilly Socha

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Economics
Rachel Owings

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in History
Mary Hansen

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Justice Systems
Erin Warner

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Philosophy
Jonathan Satterfield

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Political Science
Ariell Bertrand

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology (#1)
Samantha “Sam” Carroll

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology (#2)
Bailey Cook

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Religion
Abigail Atwell

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Sociology
Sam Pey

Outstanding Graduate Student in Leadership
Brie Daniels

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Interdisciplinary Studies
Deanna Schmidt

To reduce costs and energy consumption this summer, Truman is piloting a four-day-a-week office operating schedule.

As Truman works to meet the significant financial challenges resulting from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, all aspects of University operations are being examined. This modified schedule can also reduce commuting costs for employees.

Beginning May 11, University offices will be open Monday through Thursday and, at a minimum, cover the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. University offices will be closed Fridays. It is anticipated that the modified summer schedule will be in effect through July 24. Early projections estimate a savings of several thousand dollars on energy this summer.

As all summer courses are being offered in alternative delivery formats and do not require University offices to be open, they will be held as indicated in the summer schedule of courses.

Staff are required to work 40 hours during each four-day week. Supervisors will contact staff to determine preferred work schedules. A typical work schedule would be 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch break. A staff member can also choose to work eight hours for each of the four days and use vacation for the remaining eight hours, or work nine hours for each of the four days and use vacation for the remaining four hours. Additional details about how employees who use Time Clock will log their hours, and a suggested out-of-office telephone message and email response, can be provided by Human Resources.

It is important to note that neither the move to a four-day-a-week office operating schedule nor the expiration of Governor Parson’s stay-at-home order on May 4 means that all employees will be returning to campus to work. Truman will follow the White House and CDC Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, and in Phase One, the recommendation is to, “Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.” As such, staff who can work from home will continue to work from home.  Supervisors will contact staff whose work-from-home status has changed.

As additional strategies to effectively address current and future budget challenges are developed and implemented in the coming weeks, the University will continue to follow the guiding principle of balancing, to the greatest extent possible, the financial needs of each employee with the financial needs of the University.

The Communication Disorders (CMDS) Department is proud to announce a variety of awards were bestowed upon faculty, students, clients and staff by the Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA).
 
Melissa Passe, director of clinical education for CMDS, was awarded Honors of the Association by MSHA for 2020. This award recognizes exceptional and extraordinary contributions to the field of speech, language and hearing, and is the highest honor the Association can give. In addition to serving in a variety of roles with MSHA, including president of the association in 2005-06, Passe has served on numerous national committees through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Just a few of her roles with ASHA include president of the Council for Clinical Certification and member of the Board of Ethics.
 
Emily Hathhorn, graduate student in CMDS, was a awarded the Graduate Student of the Year in speech-language pathology by MSHA. After the faculty in CMDS chose Hathhorn as Truman’s nominee, she provided a writing sample, letters of recommendation and a resume to be considered for this award. Chosen as the top graduate student out of nine programs in the state, Hathhorn has brought this award back to Truman. It was last won by Kelsey Aurand de Razo, now a current instructor in CMDS, in 2015.
 
Linda Bindner, instructor in English, was awarded the Adult Ambassador of the Year by MSHA. Bindner sustained a brainstem stroke in 2004 which left her “locked-in,” unable to move any muscles in her body except for her eyes. In the years since, Bindner has worked diligently in the clinic as well as other venues to regain functional speech abilities. She always brings a positive attitude to her sessions and has contributed to the training of many Truman graduate students. Bindner has progressed so far that she was able to go back to teaching two courses for the English Department in Spring 2020. Due to her incredible fortitude, success and willingness to help people learn by sharing her experiences, she is a very deserving Adult Ambassador of the Year for MSHA.
 
In addition to the above awards, Andrea Richards, instructor of CMDS, was elected vice president of professional and public relations and will serve on the MSHA Board of Directors starting in August.

To help create a sense of Bulldog community in an era of social distancing, the Alumni Office has created a virtual book club.

Access is available to anyone through the Alumni and Friends Book Club Facebook page. Discussion questions will be posted on the page, and live discussions will be scheduled via Zoom around the mid-read mark and at the conclusion of each book.

The first offering features alumna Laura McHugh’s book, “The Weight of Blood.” When the body of her childhood friend is found in the Ozark woods, Lucy Dane can’t help but remember the disappearance of her own mother and feel that the two might be connected. There is little doubt Lucy’s hometown holds many secrets, and it slowly reveals a dark, dangerous side she will soon have to confront.

McHugh (’96) lives in Columbia, Mo., with her husband and children. Her debut novel, “The Weight of Blood,” won both the 2015 International Thriller Writers award and a Silver Falchion award for best first novel. It was also nominated for a Barry award, an Alex award and a Good Reads Choice award. “The Weight of Blood” was named one of the best books of the year by Book Page, the Kansas City Star and the Sunday Times. McHugh also wrote “Arrowood” and “The Wolf Wants In.”

Copies of the book are available here. In order for everyone to participate, the Alumni Office is providing a limited amount of e-reader copies of the novel. As many individuals are currently experiencing financial hardship, and supply is limited, the Alumni Office asks participants take that into consideration prior to requesting a personal copy. To request an electronic copy of the novel, fill out this online request form.

The timeline for this book is listed below. Future book selections will be announced on the club Facebook page.

May 8
Discussion questions posted for first 1/3 of the novel

May 18
Discussion questions posted & live Zoom discussion for 2/3 of the novel

May 28
Discussion questions posted and live Zoom discussion with author Laura McHugh for the conclusion and completion of the novel

Truman is the only Missouri public institution to make the College Consensus ranking of the Best Value Colleges and Universities.

College Consensus aggregates published rankings from sources such as Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and the Washington Monthly, along with student reviews from sites such as Cappex, Niche and Student Review to get a full picture of how students see their colleges.

For its Best Value list, College Consensus editors take cost into consideration in order to compile a list of affordable schools that are still high quality. Truman came in at No. 9 on the 2020 list. It was the highest rated Missouri school by more than 50 spots, and it was the state’s only public university to be included.

The complete Best Value College and Universities can be found at collegeconsensus.com/rankings/best-value-schools. 

The Career Center has altered how services will be provided for the foreseeable future. Resume/Cover Letter critiques, Personal/Professional Statement critiques, Mock Interviews, Career Coaching and Presentation requests can be submitted through the links provided.

Follow the Truman Career Center on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter for job opportunities and other COVID-related job searching posts.

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.

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.

Students and family members who have questions about Truman and the effects of coronavirus on campus operations can join a live, online panel discussion to learn more. There will be two sessions, one for new students and another for those currently enrolled. Links to each event will be emailed to eligible participants.

University President Sue Thomas; Janet Gooch, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost; Tyana Lange, vice president of enrollment management and marketing; and Janna Stoskopf, vice president of student affairs, will discuss steps the University is taking to keep the Truman community safe while continuing to provide a quality education.
 
New Students and Families
6 p.m.
May 13

Current Students and Families
6 p.m.
May 20

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.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available May 26.

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.