Vol. 12 No. 22 - Feb. 26, 2008

Debaters from the Truman State University Forensic Union captured the 2008 State Debate Sweepstakes Championship at the Missouri Association of Forensic Activities (MAFA) State Tournament, Feb. 15-16. The tournament was hosted by Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. Additionally, Truman ranked second in the overall sweepstakes race, encompassing performances in both debate and individual public speaking events.

Sweepstakes awards honor the overall performance of a university’s team, including all performances by a team’s students. The debate sweepstakes title honors the overall performance of teams in parliamentary and Lincoln-Douglas debate. Individual events sweepstakes awards focus on individual speaking events, and the overall honor combines the two.

In addition to the sweepstakes honors, Dylan Rothermel, a senior economics major from Homewood, Ill., captured the state championship in extemporaneous speaking. Chris Girouard, a junior political science and communication double major from Chesterfield, Mo., took fifth in the state in the event, while Sarah Backhaus, a freshman political science major from Liberty, Mo., took sixth and was the top-ranked novice.

In Lincoln-Douglas debate, Backhaus and Mark Buchheit, a sophomore history major from Carthage, Mo., each reached semifinals of the tournament. Buchheit advanced to the final round of the division before losing to a competitor from the University of Central Missouri who defeated Backhaus in the semifinal. Truman had three of the top five speakers in the division, with Dylan Clark, a freshman political science and philosophy and religion double major from Maryland Heights, Mo., in third, Buchheit in fourth, and Backhaus in fifth.

In Parliamentary Debate, two Truman teams met in the semifinals of the tournament. The team of Rothermel and Buchheit advanced over the team of Girouard and Barbara Gillard, a freshman political science major from Jackson, Mo., to reach the final round debate against William Jewell College. Buchheit and Rothermel lost the final on a 2-1 decision. Truman had four of the five top speakers in the division as well. Buchheit was the top speaker, followed by Rothermel in second, Girouard in third, and Backhaus in fifth.

Truman has dominated debate results in the MAFA State Championship for most of the last decade winning the debate sweepstakes title and/or one or more of the individual debate event titles nearly every year. The team’s performance in extemporaneous speaking also continues a long history of strength in the event, which involves short speeches on current events topics.

Truman competitors travel next to the Novice National Championships and the National Parliamentary Debate Association Championships in March.

Stephen Hadwiger, associate professor of nursing; Carol Cox, associate professor of health; and Marc Becker, associate professor of history; were the grand prize winners of the 2008 TruTech Challenge, a juried competition of faculty, staff and student projects showcasing effective educational uses of technology. The grand prizes were an iPod Nano (donated by Sungard/ITS), a LCD TV (donated by CDW), and a wireless webcam (donated by Cisco).

For their high-quality efforts, all eight participants in the TruTech Challenge were awarded prizes, including nearly $100 in gift cards from the Truman Bookstore, gift certificates from Sodexho, and notebooks and a mouse pad label maker from Patty’s Bookstore. Walgreens also donated door prizes for the event.

For his project, Hadwiger developed interactive Blackboard modules for his students to complete in preparation for each class period. Cox’s project involved the production of educational activities in the virtual environment of “Second Life” for her classes. Becker’s project described the production of print-on-demand books that he undertook with the students in his JINS 338 course.

All this year’s TruTech Challenge projects are publicly viewable at http://moodle.truman.edu/moodle/course/view.php?id=52; click on the “Login as Guest” button to see the projects.

The TruTech Challenge prizes were awarded at Truman’s Sixth Annual Technology Fair on the afternoon of University Conference, Feb. 20. Both the Fair and the TruTech Challenge were sponsored by the Teaching/Learning Technology Roundtable (TLTR).

At the 2008 meeting of the Mathematics Association of America and the American Mathematical Society in San Diego, several Truman faculty and students from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science presented the results of grant-supported work they conducted in 2007.

K. Scott Alberts, associate professor of statistics, presented with his collaborator, Jane Roads, chair of mathematics and science at Moberly Area Community College, a talk titled “Studying Math Anxiety: A Case Study in Cooperation Between a University and a Community College.” This work is an ongoing collaboration between Truman State University and Moberly Area Community College and has been supported by Truman’s “The Next STEP” program (NSF DUE 0431664).

Jason Miller, associate professor of mathematics, gave a talk titled “Field Trips Motivate Students to Pursue Mathematics” in which he described how a long-running field trip program shows students what they can do with their STEM major by bringing them to business and organizations that employ students in STEM areas. He also presented two posters that describe two five-year grant-supported programs at Truman. The poster, “The Next STEP: Integrating STEM Learning Communities,” described work done with Jennifer Thompson, administrative coordinator for The Next STEP program, and Maria Nagan, associate professor of chemistry, and many other faculty in STEM departments at Truman (NSF DUE 0431664). The poster, “Research-focused Learning Communities in Mathematical Biology,” described work done with Jon Beck, associate professor of computer science; Michael Kelrick, professor of biology and director of interdisciplinary studies; Laura Fielden-Rechav, associate professor of biology; and many other faculty and students in the Departments of Biology and Mathematics and Computer Science (NSF DUE 0436348 and 0337769).

Allie Wehrman, a sophomore mathematics and computer science double major from St. Louis, and Kirah Jerome, a junior mathematics major from Hoopeston, Ill., presented posters in the Undergraduate Poster Session that described the work they did during the STEP Program’s 2007 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program (NSF DUE 0431664).

The Truman State University Department of Theatre will present “Enchanted April” at 8 p.m. Feb. 26-March 1 in the James G. Severns Theatre located in Ophelia Parrish.

Four women, all seeking revitalization from the dreary February rains of 1920s London, rent a small medieval castle in Italy. Two are glad to leave their insipid duties and unresponsive husbands behind. The third wishes to sit in the sun and replay her youthful memories, and the bewitchingly beautiful fourth desires to have seclusion from all her adoring suitors. Amid the wisteria blossoms and Mediterranean sunshine, four lives are transformed and resuscitated by the magic of San Salvatore.

Admission is free. Tickets can be reserved by phone at 785.4515, by e-mail at theatreboxoffice@truman.edu or at the Theatre Box Office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in front of the James G. Severns Theatre in the lobby of Ophelia Parrish.

Joan Mather, professor of theatre, will direct this main stage production. “Enchanged April” is by Matthew Barber adapted from the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim. Call 785.7333 for more information.

The Truman State University Foundation awards 10 $1,500 scholarships annually to students who are participating in a summer, faculty-led study abroad experience.

The students who have been selected as recipients in 2008 and will study abroad in various programs, including Avignon, Cantatori-Ireland, China, Costa Rica, Europe in Transition and Salamanca summer study abroad programs.

More than $550,000 in scholarships will be awarded from the Truman State University Foundation this year. These scholarships are made possible through generous contributions from alumni, parents and friends of the University.

Applications for the majority of the 2008-2009 Foundation scholarships available for upperclassmen are due by midnight, Feb. 28 and are available at http://www.truman.edu by clicking on Student Life / Money / Foundation Scholarships. For more information or questions, contact the Office of Advancement at 785.4133.

The University Art Gallery at Truman State University is delighted to present the Annual Juried Student Exhibition, a collection of works from the finest student artists in the Truman community. The Gallery invites everyone to a reception at 6 p.m. March 4 to view this exhibit of emerging artistic talent. The show will be on display until April 11.

The juror for this exhibition is Janell Olah, a Philadelphia-based artist who uses a variety of media and appreciates artistic merit in many forms. Olah has exhibited her works nationally, participated in several residency programs including the Cooper Union Summer Residency in New York City and The Fabric Workshop and Museum Apprenticeship Program in Philadelphia, and has received a number of grants and awards for her innovative, engaging work.

Olah will be giving a presentation and lecture at 5 p.m. March 3 in Ophelia Parrish 2210.

The University Art Gallery at Truman is located on the ground floor of Ophelia Parrish. Gallery hours are Monday–Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon-4:30 p.m. Gallery exhibits, talks and most other events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Emily Booth, interim gallery director, at 785.5386 or ebooth@truman.edu.

Career Expo is almost here. More than 90 different organizations will be on campus looking to find talented Truman students to fill a variety of full-time job and internship positions. Students may stop by Expo to begin making contacts, collect information on different companies, and to jump start their personal network.

Expo will take place from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Student Union Building.

Selected companies will conduct interviews Feb. 28. Students who missed the deadline to apply on eRecruiting can visit with those recruiters who will be interviewing the next day at Expo and see if they have room on their interviewing schedule.

If you have any questions about Expo, please do not hesitate to contact the Career Center staff at 785.4353 or go to Expo and visit with them Feb. 27 and 28 in the Student Union Building.

Big Event online registration opens March 1. The first 500 volunteers to register receive a free Big Event T-shirt. The Big Event will take place April 5 and is a campuswide service event where Truman students give back to the Kirksville community by volunteering to rake leaves, wash windows, paint, etc.

For more information, visit http://serve.truman.edu/bigevent. Registration closes at 5 p.m. March 24.

Economics of the European Union and British Victorian Literature will be the study abroad courses in the Missouri-London Summer Program from June 10-July 4.

An informational meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in McClain Hall 209.

Contact Mustafa Sawani at msawani@truman.edu for more information about the economics course. Contact Linda Seidel at lseidel@truman.edu for more information about the literature course.

Students in the Program Implementation and Evaluation health class will be giving the second of eight different health and fitness presentations to faculty and staff members. The session will take place from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 27 in Pickler Memorial Library 103 and will cover label reading and serving size.

Health Presentation Schedule
Label reading and serving size
10-11 a.m. • Feb. 27 • Pickler Memorial Library 103

Quick cheap, healthy meals
1:30-2:30 p.m. • March 4 • Pickler Memorial Library 103

Fast Food and restaurants
11 a.m.-noon • March 17 • Student Recreation Center Conference Room

Deskercize
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • March 25 • Pickler Memorial Library 103

Graded Bag Lunch
1:30-2:30 p.m.• April 1 • Student Union Building Georgian Room B

Stress Management
10-11 a.m. • April 7 • Student Recreation Center Conference Room

Smart snacks
10:30-11:30 a.m. • April 14 • Student Recreation Center Conference Room

For more information, contact Rebecca Verhaeghe at rnv051@truman.edu.

6-7 p.m. • Feb. 26-28
Kirk Building 116

Hall Hosts are residence hall assistants to incoming and current international students and are an invaluable resource to international students, the International Student Office and to Truman. Students who are interested must be in need of a scholarship or work-study position, have a car and be culturally competent. Applications are available in Kirk Building 120.

For more information, e-mail Liz Enberg at eae626@truman.edu.

4:30 p.m. • Feb. 27 • Magruder Hall 1096

This physics colloquium will feature Patrick Gibbons from the department of physics at Washington University in St. Louis speaking on “Transmission Electron Microscopy of Amorphous Metal Alloys.” The talk will review electron microscopy, diffraction, high-resolution imaging, and then briefly describe fluctuation electron microscopy (FEM) and the preliminary results from amorphous metal alloys.

Snacks will be provided 10 minutes before the talk. For more information about Truman’s colloquium series and upcoming talks, visit http://physics.truman.edu/colloquia/mainstage.asp.

7-9 p.m. • Feb. 28
Magruder Hall 2001

In his presentation “Why the U.S. Needs an Economic Miracle,” presenter Siegfried Sutterlin will offer a summary and evaluation of the current state of the U.S. economy. He will discuss the historical elements and policies that caused current economic conditions in America.

"Astronomy Research at the Truman State University Observatory"

7-8:30 p.m. • March 3
Magruder Hall 2001

Matthew Beaky, associate professor of physics, will provide an overview of ongoing research projects at the Truman Observatory, including the motivation for the research, observational techniques, and examples of data acquired by Truman students. A special feature of this presentation will be a remote link to the Observatory telescope and the display of real-time images and/or data.

Since its construction in 2003, the Truman State University Observatory has become a valuable resource for astronomy education, outreach, and undergraduate research. The Observatory has a suite of state-of-the-art equipment to support a range of undergraduate research projects, including a recently upgraded telescope, CCD cameras, photoelectric photometers, stellar spectrometers, and radio telescopes.

Topics  Beaky will address include:
       • Measurements of “neglected” double stars;
       • Monitoring solar activity by observation of the state of the Earth’s ionosphere;
       • Mapping the distribution of neutral hydrogen in the Galactic plane;
       • Detection of extra-solar planets by observing planetary transits;
       • Photometric observations of variable stars, including eclipsing binary stars;
       • Determining the rotation period of asteroids; and
       • Spectroscopy of long-period variable stars.

For more information, contact Philip Ryan at pryan@truman.edu or visit http://forum.truman.edu.

The Department of Public Safety will be providing a shuttle service for students at 9 a.m. March 8 from the Department of Public Safety Building to the Amtrak station in LaPlata.

The cost of the shuttle service is $5, and payment is due by March 6. The fee can be paid at the Public Safety Building.

The shuttle will pick students up in LaPlata at the train station for return to the Public Safety Building at 7 p.m. March 16.

Contact Joyce at 785.4177 for more information or to make reservations.

After three weeks, Truman ranks fifth in the overall “Per Capita Classic” portion of the contest.

The competition takes place for 10 weeks. People are encouraged to bring their paper, aluminum cans, cardboard and glass to Truman’s Recycling Center.

An upgrade to the Banner database is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. March 1. It is anticipated that the upgrade will be completed by the end of the day March 2. All Banner services will be down during the upgrade, including all Banner links on TruView. All users, including staff, students and faculty, will not have access to Banner during the upgrade period.  

12:30-1:20 p.m. • Feb. 29
Magruder Hall 2001

Steve Beaupre, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, will present on “Integrative Biology of the Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus Horridus: Measuring, Modeling and Manipulating Time-Energy Allocation.”

Refreshments will be served at 12:15 p.m. outside of Magruder Hall 2001.

Are you doing research that requires using materials on microfilm? The library has four digital microform scanners that allow researchers to save many pages of microform documents as jpeg, bmp, tiff, or pdf files. These scanners also have the capability of applying optical character recognition (OCR) to the documents to make them searchable. Go to the Periodicals Department to use these microform scanners today.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. • March 10-14

The Truman Bookstore will be sending back books from this semester to prepare for inventory. Stop in before midterm break if you still need to pick up a book.

Activity: Closest to the Pin
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: March 3
*Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: March 5

Activity: March Madness Pickem
Division: Open
Deadline: March 7
*Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: N/A

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.

Michael Adams, associate professor of mathematics and member of Truman’s Mathematical Biology program, has published “Graph Decompositions for Demographic Loop Analysis” in the Journal of Mathematical Biology. In this paper, Adams extends a graph theoretic approach to understanding stage-based models of population dynamics. The results described in the paper relate directly to the questions Adams is investigating along with Michael Kelrick, professor of biology and director of interdisciplinary studies, and a group of talented undergraduates in mathematics, biology and computer science. The work of this team is supported by Truman’s NSF-funded “Research-focused Learning Communities in Mathematical Biology.”

Huping Ling, professor of history, has published two books recently: “Voices of the Heart: Asian American Women on Immigration, Work, and Family” (Truman State University, 2007) and “Chinese in St. Louis: 1857-2007” (Arcadia Publishing, 2007).

Jason Miller, associate professor of mathematics and director of the Mathematical Biology and STEP programs at Truman, has been appointed to a three-year term to the Mathematical Association of America’s Science Policy Committee. The Mathematical Association of America is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level.

The Weekly Lunch Series will meet from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Student Union Building Room 320. This week’s session will feature Jason Miller, associate professor of mathematics, and Jennifer Thompson, administrative coordinator for The Next STEP program, discussing “Advising Transfer Students.”

The Funds Allotment Council will be having an informational meeting for groups about applying for funding for the Fall 2008 semester at 4 p.m. Feb. 27 in Student Union Building Room 320. For more information, contact Jenny Dix at jld534@truman.edu.

Weekly Lunch Extra Edition Thursdays will meet Feb. 28. Jay Bulen, associate professor of music and department chair, will lead the annual Reading Circle on “Privilege, Power and Difference” by Allan Johnson. This session will meet at 12:15 p.m. in the Student Union Building Room 322. Lunch will be provided so people should go directly to the room.

Students may attend a viewing of the Disney College Program E-Presentation at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Student Union Building Room 320, March 5 and 25 in Student Union Building Room 319. Students will be able to learn more about this internship from Truman students who are alumni of the program. Contact Jessica Berger at tsudisneyreps@aol.com for more information.

IT Services invites faculty, staff and students to TechBreak at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in Violette Hall 1300. The topic of this week’s discussion is Clickers (Turning Point). Additional details and the topic schedule can be found at http://its.truman.edu/techbreak.

Nathan Brown, a resident of Dancing Rabbit Eco Village, will be speaking about green living at Dancing Rabbit from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in Violette Hall 1416. ECO is sponsoring this event. For more information, contact Erika Halsey at emh3646@truman.edu.

Beta Alpha Psi will be sponsoring Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 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.

Dobson Hall Senate will present a Date/Service Auction from 5-7 p.m. March 1 in the Student Union Building Down Under. Willing individuals will be auctioned off as dates or for services such as cleaning and baking. Half of the proceeds will be going to Relay For Life. Contact Candace Chapman at cnc3625@truman.edu for additional information.

Whispers in Your Ear 2008, an a cappella festival put on by Sweet Nothings, Truman’s premier coed a cappella group will take place from 7-9 p.m. March 1 in the Baldwin Auditorium. The festival will feature performances by Sweet Nothings, True Men, Minor Detail, XTension Chords (University of Illinois) and Mizzou Forte (University of Missouri-Columbia). Contact Brianna Wagner at brianna@truman.edu with questions.

The Quincy Symphony Chorus will present “Celebrate Broadway” featuring guest vocalist Brad Tomko at 7:30 p.m. March 1 at the First Union Congregational Church in Quincy, Ill. All faculty, staff and students will get free admission with their Truman ID. Log on to http://www.qsoa.org for more information.

Rep. Rebecca McClanahan presents the second annual photography contest, “Seasons of Tourism.” Entries are due by March 1 and may be submitted at the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce. Entry forms are available at http://www.rebeccamcclanahan.com or http://www.kirksvillearts.com/calendar.htm. There will be a reception with a presentation of awards from 5-8 p.m. March 6 at the Kirksville Arts Center.

The International Student Affairs Office and the Funds Allotment Council are hosting an International Dinner at 6 p.m. March 2 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. Students can meet people from different countries and cultures, enjoy their traditional dances and songs and taste varieties of delicious food. For more information, contact Ada Taho at adataho@gmail.com.

The Missouri Hall Senate will present the Missouri Hall Student Art Gala from 6-9 p.m. March 3 in the Missouri Hall Chariton Room. Everyone is invited to experience this friendly competitive celebration of student culture and art and vote on their favorites. Three winners will be awarded $100 and have their work of art displayed in Missouri Hall. Contact Amanda Kliethermes at alk6272@truman.edu for additional information.

The Environmental Studies Conference 2008 is calling for papers, presentations and art. To submit a proposal, e-mail a concise abstract to blw456@truman.edu by March 31. Conference and Art Show submissions are open to students, faculty and Kirksville community members. Papers and presentations from all disciplines and backgrounds will be accepted. For more information about Earth Week events, go to http://earth.truman.edu.

Financial Aid Reminder: April 1 is the filing deadline for Access Missouri funds. Apply soon for all available federal (including work-study, Perkins Loan, and SEOG) and state aid. The 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Contact the Financial Aid Office, McClain Hall 103, 785.4130, if you have any questions.

The Writing Center would like to thank Steve Pennington and the Truman Bookstore for their generous donation of prizes for the faculty winners of the International Writing Center Association week "Favorite Writing Professor" contest. First place winner was Ed Rogers, lecturer in English. Runners up included Martha Bartter, professor of English, and Joe Benevento, professor of English.