Vol. 12 No. 18 - Jan. 29, 2008

The Student Union Building Quiet Lounge may be closed for renovation, but students still have a place to study beneath the University’s presidential portraits.

Several years ago the Reading Room in Pickler Memorial Library was temporarily converted to a computer lab for students.

When it came time to replace the old computers in that lab the Library and ITS staff decided to consolidate the temporary lab with the computer lab in Pickler Memorial Library 312. This consolidation would make better use of space available and save lab management costs. It also allowed the staff to return the Reading Room to its original intended purpose. In addition to housing 12 large reading tables and soft wing back chairs, the room now houses the University’s presidential portraits that had been hanging in the Student Union Building Quiet Lounge, but were removed due to the construction in the Student Union Building.

“The scale of the Library Reading Room was perfect for the portraits, which are such an important part of Truman’s history,” said Richard Coughlin, chief information officer and dean of libraries and museums. “The room provides a dignified space for the portraits while the portraits add color and interest to the room. The staff is also planning on adding additional electrical outlets so students can plug in laptop computers or other devices.”

On Jan. 30 and 31, Truman State University will participate in Focus the Nation, an unprecedented teach-in model on global warming solutions.

“Today’s college students are truly the greatest generation,” says Lewis & Clark professor of economics Eban Goodstein, author and project director for Focus the Nation. “No other generation has ever had to face this kind of civilizational challenge. And we as educators would be failing if we did not prepare them with the tools to meet this challenge.”
 
Focus the Nation has created a teach-in model centered on the three most essential pillars for today’s youth to embrace solutions to global warming: education, civic engagement and leadership.

“We are in a time where critical decisions need to be made on global warming, which means today’s leaders and the youth who will inherit the crisis need serious education on the issue,” said James “Gus” Speth, dean, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. “Focus the Nation is our country’s foremost model to create that level of education and interaction with law makers.”

The teach-in will kick off the night of Jan. 30, with the viewing of a new film; “Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel in America.” This event will take place in the Student Union Building Georgian Room B. As part of the event, a discussion after the film will be lead by the Focus the Nation group.

The next day, Jan. 31, will include a range of global warming curricula presented by faculty and guest speakers before culminating with the Motivating Action round-table discussion between students and elected leaders on solutions to the crisis. Student Senate President Matt Szewczyk and Rep. Rebecca McClanahan will be present. Truman invites local, regional and national civic leaders to engage in the Motivating Action round-table.

The final piece of Focus the Nation’s teach-in model will be the Choose Your Future vote. All students, faculty and community participants will be encouraged to vote on what they think are the top five solutions from a list of 10 to 15 and are available at http://www.focusthenation.org. Vote results will be presented nationally in mid-February. All students who vote on the Choose Your Future ballot will be eligible to win a $10,000 leadership scholarship for a project to be completed by end of August 2008.

For more information on Truman Focus the Nation, log on to http://www.focusthenation.org, or e-mail Samantha Pounders at trumanfocusthenation@gmail.com.

The John R. Kirk Chapter of Blue Key received more than leadership skills at the Blue Key National Honor Society National Conference held Jan. 18-20 at North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. The chapter was awarded Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award for being the top chapter in the nation. Adam Harrold, president of Truman’s Blue Key chapter, was awarded the President Award, for his selfless dedication to the organization. Harrold is a senior biology major from Gladstone, Mo.
 
The chapter also was recognized with a Certificate of Merit as well as Best Feature Award for their Web site. Whitey Holt, service chair of Truman’s Blue Key chapter, was extremely proud of the awards they received. Holt is a junior history and pre-education/secondary double major from Clayton, Mo.

“The guys have put a large amount of time and energy into Blue Key in order to become more involved in the betterment of the community,” Holt said. “It’s nice to get recognized because then you feel like your efforts are truly well spent.”

Founded on Truman’s campus in 1925, Blue Key is a selective group of about 35 undergraduate men who live by the motto “Serving, I live.” Living up to the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, and, most importantly, service, members of Blue Key strive to enhance the lives of everyone on the Truman campus as well as in the Kirksville community through various service projects, including blood drives, food drives, facilitating Truman State University’s Homecoming Parade, and many other weekly service projects.

The Web site, http://bluekey.truman.edu, is a useful tool in finding out more about Blue Key.

Truman State University has kicked off the start of RecycleMania this week. RecycleMania is a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs across the United States. During 10 weeks each spring, schools compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate. Schools report measurements on a weekly basis.

RecycleMania began in 2001 as a competition between Ohio University and Miami University of Ohio and has grown tremendously each year. Students, faculty and staff can help Truman beat schools in Missouri and the United States by recycling items such as aluminum cans, paper, corrugated cardboard, glass and plastics.
 
Last year, Truman placed fourth overall in the bottles and cans category and ninth overall in the Per Capita Classic competition. In the Per Capita Classic competition schools are competing to collect the largest amount of acceptable recyclables per person. Two hundred and two schools participated last year and more than 400 have signed up to participate in 2008.

For more information, contact Howard Worcester, recycle coordinator, at 785.7672.

The Career Center staff and career assistants would like to welcome students back to Truman and wish them a great semester.
 
Soon approaching is the Career Expo, which will take place from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Student Union Building. Interviews for full-time positions and internships are Feb. 28 also in the Student Union Building. More specific information about events will be available in the upcoming weeks, including a program on Feb. 25 called “Expo 411.” This event will help students prepare for Expo by providing résumé assistance, information on signing up for Expo, and making the most out of the Expo experience. Refreshments will be provided during the program.
 
For those students seeking feedback and guidance on their interviewing skills from those who were employed in various facets of industry the Career Center is offering Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) mock interviews on Feb. 8, 15 and 22. Also, to create or revise a résumé, a group of career assistants is available without appointment to help.

Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society, will be awarding 50 study abroad grants of $1,000 each. Because Truman has a Phi Kappa Phi chapter, Truman students in any field of study are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students do not need to be a member of Phi Kappa Phi to apply. To be eligible, students must have between 30 and 90 credit hours by the deadline of Feb. 18, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, have at least two semesters remaining in residence at Truman after completing the study abroad experience, and the study abroad program must be taken between May 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009. More than one student at an institution can receive the award. Last year, Truman student, Amy Bockelman was awarded one of these grants. To learn more about the competition and to obtain application materials, visit http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/
Scholarships/studyabroad.html. Winners will be announced by April 18.

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship applications are now being accepted. For the second consecutive year, ThinkSwiss will select 15 talented and motivated United States students from all fields of study who have applied for a research project at a Swiss university or research lab. The awardees will receive a monthly stipend of $700 for a period of up to three months. The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship program takes place within the scope of the ThinkSwiss program. “ThinkSwiss - Brainstorm the future” is a U.S.-wide program on Education, Research and Innovation. It focuses on the exchange of expertise and know-how in academia and the business community in both Switzerland and the U.S. This program is produced under the auspices of Presence Switzerland (PRS), the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Additional information about the 2008 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship can be found on http://www.thinkswiss.org/news.html. The deadline for applications is March 31.

Foundation scholarship applications are available and qualified, deserving students are encouraged to apply. More than $582,000 was awarded in Foundation scholarships to Truman State University students in 2007-2008. Applications are available online and are due by midnight Feb. 28. To learn more, go to http://www.truman.edu, Student Life/Money/Foundation Scholarships or log on to https://secure.truman.edu/isupport-s/.

Ortech currently has an internship opportunity available to Truman students. Ortech seeks an IT analyst intern. The individual will be compensated based on experience. This is a replacement position and the individual should be available to start as soon as possible. Contact H. Sasaki at 627.1655 extension 181 for more information.

7 p.m. • Jan. 31
Magruder Hall 2001

This Global Issues will be presented by Truman State University students from Marc Becker’s JINS seminar on Race, Class and Gender in Latin America during the fall 2007 semester who participated in a service learning project on immigration to Milan, Mo. These students interviewed both recent and long-term residents of Milan to examine issues and concerns facing the community and will be presenting the results of their study.

SURE is a 10-week research experience for students considering a degree in a science, mathematics, or computer science discipline. Students accepted to participate will work closely with a faculty mentor to learn about a discipline through an original research project. At the same time, participants will attend workshops on research skills and professional development. They will live with others in the program and become part of a vibrant and fun multidisciplinary summer learning community.

Applications are due by midnight Feb. 1 and can be found online at http://step.truman.edu/forms/sure.asp. Please e-mail step@truman.edu with questions or call Jennifer Thompson at 785.7252.

It is time to sign up for the spring 2008 TruFit Wellness program designed for faculty and staff members looking to make changes to their health. TruFit Wellness is a 12-week education and physical activity program focused on teaching group members the skills needed to empower lifetime health behavior changes, not just short-term results.

The spring session will incorporate behavior education sessions on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. to assist members in learning:

• Creating motivation for change
• Planning strategies for change
• Combating negative thoughts
• Goal setting for success
• Overcoming obstacles
• Nutrition tips and education

Participants will have a choice to participate in a group exercise class lead by Karen Skoch, director of fitness/wellness at the Student Recreation Center, on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. or to engage in a walking session at least one day a week.

In addition to the educational and fitness sessions, group members will receive:

•    Orientation to the Student Recreation Center
            • Including orientation to all Cardiovascular machines
            • Including orientation to Weight Room equipment
•    Instruction on and use of a Heart Rate Monitor
•    A pedometer to track activity
•    Body composition testing
•    Incentives for completing the program

Meetings take place Jan. 29-April 29.

Any Truman faculty or staff member who is not currently engaging in regular physical activity is encouraged to join.

If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like to sign up, contact Jennifer Hurst at 665.4464 or jhurst@truman.edu.

“Thinking on Multiple Scales of Space, Time and Organization”

Featuring speaker Philip Fraundorf from the University of Missouri-St. Louis

4:30 p.m.
Jan. 30
Magruder Hall 1096

This event will highlight regional stories of nanoworld adventure, interstellar dust in the lab and surprisal-based information measures. Snacks will be provided before the talk.

For more information about the colloquium series and upcoming talks, please visit http://physics.truman.edu.

3-5 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Jan. 29
Baldwin Auditorium

The second open session will be a repeat of the earlier one. A live video stream of both presentations for those who cannot attend will be provided. Anyone with a Truman network account can view the live video stream of the presentations at the times above at: http://provost.truman.edu/Art%20and%20Science/
artandscience.asp. Please enter your Truman username and password when prompted.

Brief background information about the consultation process is available online at http://provost.truman.edu/Art%20and%20Science/
Background%20on%20Art%20and%20Science
%20Group%20Nov%2027%20(2).pdf.

Students who worked for institutional or work study pay and/or scholarship renewal hours in 2007 will have a W-2 form to pick up. Forms will be available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 29 in McClain Hall 105, Payroll Office. Please bring your student ID. Forms not picked up will be mailed to the permanent address on record no later than Jan. 31.

Faculty/Staff W-2 forms will be distributed in departments Jan. 29 and 30. Forms not picked up and signed for in department offices will be mailed to the permanent address on record no later than Jan. 31.

Calling all filmmakers.

The Compost Project is sponsoring a film festival this spring. The subject of all films will be related to composting; information regarding various topics can be accessed on the U-drive under the folder “Compost Film Festival” in Michael Kelrick’s folder (biology department) in order to aid filmmakers in making entertaining short films which are also educational.

Film submissions are due in DVD format to Kelrick’s office door (Magruder Hall 3024) by 5 p.m. Feb. 10. Resources to aide in film production are listed in a document on the Compost Film Festival U-drive folder. The films will be judged by parties who are not affiliated with the Compost Project. The festival, including the awarding of prizes, will occur soon after spring break.

Any inquiries, interest or additional information can be addressed to Ginger Daugherty at ged106@truman.edu or tsu.compost@gmail.com.

Activity: Super Bowl Pickem 
Division: Open
Deadline: Feb. 1
*Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: Feb. 3

Activity: Racquetball - Doubles
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Feb. 4
*Captains’ Meeting: N/A (Jan. 31)
Play Begins: Feb. 18

Entry forms and information sheets may be picked up at the Student Recreation Center (lobby area). Entry forms are to be deposited into the metal box located at the Member Services Desk in the Student Recreation Center. The entry deadline for each sport will be 11 p.m. on the date posted above. Online registration is available.

*Captains’ Meetings for each sport will take place on the Thursday evening following the entry deadline (unless otherwise noted) at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Student Recreation Center. Official rules for each sport are available online at http://recreation.truman.edu.

Reference librarians will answer information questions, either by telephone (785.4051) or by e-mail (asklib@truman.edu). Get a response as soon as possible (usually within 12 hours except when the library is closed). Ask-A-Librarian cannot give legal, medical or tax-related advice; librarians can, however, help users locate materials on these topics.

Taner Edis, associate professor of physics, had “Religion: Accident or Design?” published as a chapter in Joseph Bulbulia et al., eds., The Evolution of Religion: Studies, Theories, & Critiques (Santa Margarita: Collins Foundation Press, 2008).

A van driving class is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 29 and 30 in the Public Safety Building. Please allow three hours for the class. Class size is limited. Please reserve your space by calling 785.4177 or e-mailing joycemul@truman.edu.

Auditions for Truman Live, Truman’s live talent show, will take place from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 29 in Baldwin Auditorium. Contact the Student Activities Board at 785.4722 or sab@truman.edu for more information.

The Student Recreation Center (SRC) will be hosting a free nutrition workshop at 7 p.m. Jan. 29. Liz Jorn, from the health and exercise science department, will be covering topics such as how to plan a healthy diet while avoiding common mistakes, guidelines on how to lose weight safely and effectively, and how to make long-term behavioral changes. All Truman students, faculty and staff are welcome. The workshop will take place in the SRC Conference Room, located on the second floor. Contact Karen Skoch at 785.7739 or kbskoch@truman.edu for more information. Prizes will be awarded to the first 20 participants.

The Weekly Lunch Series reconvenes from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. This week’s session will be “How I Paved My Road to Sabbatical with More than Good Intentions” featuring Marc Rice, associate professor of music.

P.A.T.C.H.-Supporting Students with Incurable Illnesses will meet from 8-9:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Pershing Building 234. P.A.T.C.H. meets weekly and is an organization that provides support from fellow students, faculty and staff with incurable illnesses to other students, faculty and staff with incurable illnesses in a safe, confidential environment with a lot of fun. Contact Jeffrey Eaton at jme750@truman.edu for more information.

Weekly Lunch Extra Edition Thursdays begins Jan. 31 featuring Jay Bulen, associate professor of music and department chair. He will lead the annual Reading Circle on “Privilege, Power and Difference” by Allan Johnson. All Weekly Lunch Extra Edition Thursday sessions will meet from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building Room 322. Lunch will be provided so people should go directly to the room. This series will also meet Feb. 7, 14 and 28.

IT Services invites faculty, staff and students to TechBreak at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in Violette Hall 1300. Additional details and the topic schedule can be found at http://its.truman.edu/techbreak.

The Board of Governors will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. Agenda materials can be found on the Board of Governors Web site at http://governors.truman.edu.

The Mostly Live Composers Society will present a recital of original student concert music from 3:30-4:20 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. The audience will be treated to world premiere performances of original vocal and instrumental works by several Truman student composers. Featured will be the Truman premiere of “Elegy for Strings” by Kevin Becker, a composition which won both the Music Teachers National Association (West Central Division) competition and the Missouri Music Teachers Association competition this year and is currently a finalist for a national award. Admission is free.

A Special Olympics informational meeting will take place from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in Baldwin Hall 252. Students who would like to volunteer to help with the Special Olympics Spring Games on April 19 may attend. Student organizations are also welcome but are asked to send one representative.

The Black History Knowledge Bowl will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room B. Students are invited to test their knowledge on historical accounts, famous individuals and interesting facts in African American history. Teams of three or four can sign up in the Student Affairs Board Office in the Student Union Building or the Multicultural Affairs Center in the Adair Building. Contact Laura Bates at lbates@truman.edu for more information.

Service Corps of Retired Executives mock interviews will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 8, 15 and 22 in the Career Center. This is a great opportunity to gain interviewing experience with professionals from a variety of career fields. In-person advanced sign-up with a résumé is required at least 24 hours before the interview date. Interviews are 45 minutes in length including helpful advice to improve your skills, and professional business attire is required. Time slots fill quickly, so do not delay.

Beta Alpha Psi will be sponsoring Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 23, March 1, March 29 and April 5 in Violette Hall 1424. The members will give income tax assistance to students and the community and file their tax return electronically for free. Additional information is available at http://bap.truman.edu/eventsVITA.htm.

The College of Arts and Sciences has an opening for work-study or scholarship workers to fill a position of general office duties. Please contact svorhees@truman.edu or 785.7200 for more information.

Wonderland Camp Applications are due by noon Feb. 8. Applications are available at http://www.wonderlandcamp.org. For any questions or concerns please e-mail Whitey Holt at wwh051@truman.edu or Wonderland Camp’s program director at marcella@wonderlandcamp.org.

Educator of the Year Nomination Forms are now available. Students may nominate a professor to be this year’s Educator of the Year. Forms are available at http://senate.truman.edu and are due by Feb. 15.

Summer employment opportunities: Upward Bound has multiple summer openings (including instructional, residential, media and other positions). For complete information, see the Web site at http://ub.truman.edu or stop by Kirk Building 220. Application packets, including references, resumes and transcripts, due by Feb. 15.

A.T. Still University is accepting nominations for the Still Spirit Awards until March 3. Nominees should have helped the community grow and prosper through their civic, professional and/or volunteer activities. The winners will be announced April 4.