Vol. 12 No. 31 - May 6, 2008

James Guffey, professor of mathematics, was announced as the 2008 Educator of the Year at the 19th annual banquet April 28.

Guffey began his career at Truman in 1988. He received his Bachelor of Science from Centre College of Kentucky and his Master of Science and doctorate from Missouri University of Science and Technology, formerly University of Missouri-Rolla.

This year students nominated 91 faculty members for the Educator of the Year award. Professors who accepted the nomination had to submit written responses to the Educator of the Year Committee. The eight-member student committee first narrowed the group of 34 professors down to 12 semi-finalists and then to six finalists.

Students from Student Government, the Pershing Society and Phi Kappa Phi serve on the Educator of the Year Committee.

Clifton Truman Daniel will address May graduates as the commencement speaker during the graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. May 10 at Stokes Stadium.

Daniel is the oldest grandson of former President Harry S. Truman and son of the late E. Clifton Daniel Jr., former managing editor of the New York Times, and best-selling mystery writer the late Margaret Truman.

He is currently director of public relations for Harry S. Truman College, one of the seven city Colleges of Chicago. Prior to that, he worked as a feature writer and editor for the Morning Star and Sunday Star-News, a New York Times paper in Wilmington, N.C.

Daniel is the honorary chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Library Institute in Independence, Mo. He is a frequent speaker and fund-raiser and the author of the 1995 book, “Growing Up With My Grandfather: Memories of Harry S. Truman.”

The May Commencement ceremony is still planned to take place at 2 p.m. at Stokes Stadium.
 
In the event of inclement weather, an announcement regarding the procession will be made on the radio (KRES-FM, KTUF-FM, KRXL-FM, KIRX-AM) and local Channel 3 TV between 11 a.m. and noon.  The ceremony will be moved to Pershing Arena and tickets for admission will be required.  Four “rain” tickets have been issued to each degree candidate and must be presented for entrance.  These tickets do not guarantee seating; seating is on a first come, first served basis.  No additional tickets are available due to the size of the graduating class.  Additional seating will be available in Baldwin Hall Auditorium for family and friends who do not have tickets.  The reception will also be moved inside to the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

For Commencement related questions, please call the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office at 660.785.5406.

Seventeen faculty members have been awarded a Research Fellowship for Summer 2008. The purpose of the Summer Research Fellowship is to encourage and support research, scholarship, performance, and other creative endeavors of the faculty that will ultimately result in the public dissemination of the peer reviewed work.
 
The faculty members selected for this honor are: Matthew Beaky, associate professor of physics; Marc Becker, associate professor of history; Joe Benevento, professor of English; Tom Capuano, professor of foreign languages (Spanish); Paula Cochran, professor of communication disorders; Masahiro Hara, associate professor of Japanese; Teri Heckert, professor of psychology; Wolfgang Hoeschele, associate professor of geography; Jennifer Hurst, assistant professor of exercise science; Greg Jones, professor of music; Huping Ling, professor of history; Barbara Price, associate professor of English education; Peter Ramberg, associate professor of history of science (chemistry); Tom Stewart, assistant professor of linguistics; Wynne Wilbur, associate professor of art; Yukari Yano, assistant professor of music; and Janice Young, assistant professor of health science.

A total of 13 $4,000 fellowships and four $2,000 fellowships were awarded.

Hannah Kay, a senior Russian major from Springfield, Ill., has been offered a Fulbright Grant to Russia for the 2008-2009 academic year. Final award is contingent upon medical clearance and other documentation requirements.

Established in 1946 under Congressional legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program is designed “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries.”

Two other Fulbright applicants, Doug Eudy, a senior majoring in biology and art history from Floristell, Mo., and Greg Wiser, an alumnus with degrees in German and philosophy and religion, are awaiting final decisions at the host country level. They were recommended by the United States National Screening Committee and, if awarded, the grants will take them to Armenia and Germany, respectively.

The Truman Bookstore recently presented a check to Bike Co-op members. The proceeds were raised through the Truman Bookstore’s efforts to invite everyone to “Go Green.” All “Go Green” earth friendly books are 15 percent off and a portion of every book sold benefits the Bike Co-op. The sale will end May 10.

Contact Steve Pennington at 785.4211 for more information.

Chris Dove, a senior biology and philosophy and religion double major from Chesterfield, Mo., was among the recipients of the 2008 Goldwater Scholarships. Austin Abrams, a junior computer science major from Champaign, Ill., received an honorable mention.

The Board of Trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 321 scholarships for the 2008-2009 academic year to sophomore and junior undergraduates from the United States.

Goldwater Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,035 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.

Goldwater Scholars have very impressive academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs.

The Foundation awards one- and two-year scholarships that cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

First Book-Truman State University provided 1,572 brand new books to children enrolled in local Head Start programs April 15. The children and their families attended a literacy fair sponsored by the organization and the Northeast Missouri Community Action Agency. Each child received a bundle of eight or nine books, all provided at no cost to the families or centers.

First Book-Truman State University works to promote and facilitate the distribution of new books to children of literacy programs in the Kirksville area. The organization, which includes Truman students and faculty, is part of First Book’s national network of volunteer-led Advisory Boards who provide new books to children in need in communities across the country.

First Book is a nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. In neighborhoods across the country, First Book Advisory Boards unite leaders from all sectors of the community to provide books to children in literacy programs, shelters for battered children, housing project initiatives, soup kitchens, after-school programs and other community-based efforts reaching children living at or below the poverty line. Since its inception in 1992, First Book has distributed more than 50 million new books to children in need in hundreds of communities nationwide.

For more information about First Book, or to make a donation to help children in need, visit http://www.firstbook.org.

Spring is here and it’s time for people to break out their bike, moped, walking shoes, or Kirk Tran pass - Truman students know that Kirksville is on the move.

A group of three students participating in the Introduction to Environmental Studies course of the Truman State University Interdisciplinary Studies Department is working with the Kirksville community to compile and distribute a list of low-impact/low-cost modes of transportation.

Beth Kroes, Alexandria Smith and Thomas Hughes have spent the spring semester working with the Chamber of Commerce, the Kirksville Tourism Office and the Truman student groups Student Government, the Bike Co-op, and Blue Key to compile the local transportation information and to generate a list of distribution possibilities. As the end of the semester approaches, the team has handed out flyers during Earth Week, has created a brochure for the Kirksville community, and has prepared to distribute the information in both the Kirksville and University communities. 

The students are conducting this project to fulfill the service-learning component of their course, which was offered as an alternative to writing a lengthy research paper. Students in the class split off into groups at the beginning of the semester and chose a local environmentally-related problem or issue to address through a service-learning project. During the 16 week semester, each student group identified an issue, developed a project idea and submitted a proposal to address the issue, and then actually implemented the project. The students who opted to participate in a service-learning project were also expected to record minutes of their group meetings, generate memorandums to update their instructors on the progress of their project, and turn in responses to reflection prompts. The primary goal of the course is to introduce the students to controversial, environmental issues and broaden their perspectives regarding the ways such issues can be addressed.

The service-learning project provides students the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in leading a project from its conception to its completion. By independently generating a project, the students cultivate the tools they will need for future project development in either their professional or service endeavors. 

Copies of the informational flyer produced by the students are expected to be distributed at local businesses and organizations such as: The Mission, Scrubby Duds, Helping Hands, Homestead, Outreach Mission, Leisure World Lanes, the Hair Academy, Planned Parenthood, Check Casher, Check Into Cash, Sparks Cleaners, Vic Cleaners, Salvation Army, Tots 2 Teens, Washington St. Java, the United States Post Office, the Adair County Public Library, Devlin Place, and the Food Depot. 

Contact the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office to receive a copy of the brochure or visit the Web page http://earth.truman.edu/ENVS200.htm.

In April, Truman State University was recognized as a Gold Level recipient of the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies recognition program.

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in American business. Companies throughout the nation can be part of the Start! movement by demonstrating progressive leadership by making the health and wellness of their employees a priority.

For more information on Start!, or other American Heart Association activities, or what you can do to incorporate more physical activity into your regular work schedule, stop by the Student Recreation Center or check out http://recreation.truman.edu for more information.

Intro to Blackboard 7.3
10:30 a.m.-noon • May 6
Pickler Memorial Library Room 103

Effective Practices for Developing Online Courses
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • May 7
Magruder Hall 2001
This session will be presented by Suzanne Kissel, senior instructional analyst-SunGard Higher Education, on transforming face-to-face courses for the online environment.

Assignments and Assessments in Blackboard 7.3
1-2:30 p.m. • May 8
Pickler Memorial Library Room 103

“Publish, Don’t Perish”
DVD workshop on scholarly writing is available for checkout all summer.

Service-Learning Informational Lunch for Instructors
noon-1:15 p.m. • May 16
Location to be announced
After your grades are turned in, come have lunch and learn about infusing service-learning into your course in time to apply for a Missouri Campus Compact micro-grant.

Sabbatical Proposal Workshop
2-4 p.m. • May 16
Pickler Memorial Library Room 205

Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@truman.edu for more information.

The Truman Alumni Association, Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter and the Office of Advancement invite spring and summer graduates to the 2008 Senior Picnic

11 a.m.-2 p.m. • May 7
Student Union Building Mall
Rain site: SUB Georgian Room

There will be free food and a free alumni gift including an alumni T-shirt and alumni information. Students may also register to win door prizes like watches, duffle bags, sweatshirts and long sleeve T-shirts.

Students unable to attend should stop by the Office of Advancement, McClain Hall 100 and pick up a free alumni gift bag anytime between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For more information contact Stacy Tucker-Potter, coordinator of alumni relations,  stuckerpotter@truman.edu or Christina Rector, alumni relations intern, al09@truman.edu.

The Administrative Effectiveness Committee (Truman Shuffle) has been meeting during the spring semester to discuss administrative processes.

The committee would appreciate receiving input from the University community.  If you have comments regarding any administrative processes that should be streamlined or improved please submit them to bclark@truman.edu.  

Pickler Memorial Library

May 6-8 • 7 a.m.-2 a.m.
May 9 • 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
May 10 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 11 • Closed
May 12-16 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 17-18 • Closed
May 19-23 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 24-26 • Closed
May 27-29 • 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
May 30 • 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 31 • 1-5 p.m.
June 1 • 4-8 p.m.

Student Recreation Center

May 6-7 • 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
May 8-9 • 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
May 10-11 • Closed
May 12-16 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 17-18 • Closed
May 19-23 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 24-26 • Closed
May 27-30 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 31-June 1 • Closed

The Student Union Reservation Office will be moving to it’s newly renovated office complex on the first floor during the week of May 12-15.

The reservation office will be closed May 12 to allow telephone and computer lines to be moved.

Public Relations Office
Truman’s Public Relations Office is now accepting applicants for a full-time summer only position. Applicants should have a working knowledge of Associated Press style usage, strong background in writing and editing and good communication skills. In addition to working with the Truman Today, this position will assist with answering the phone and interacting with visitors, and providing secretarial support when needed. Interested students should bring a cover letter that addresses the skills needed, a résumé, three writing samples and three references to the Public Relations Office in McClain Hall 101.

Student Health Center
The Student Health Center has openings for clerical assistants. For more information, contact Christina Davis at cdavis@truman.edu.

Truman needs volunteers to work July 14 at the NEMO Fair.

Shifts are as follows:
6-9 a.m.
8:45 a.m.-Noon
11:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
2:45-6 p.m.
5:45-9 p.m.
8:45-11 p.m.

Volunteers will receive a free one day pass to the fair.

Please call the Public Relations Office at 785.4016 to sign up or stop by McClain Hall 101 if you are interested in volunteering.

Pickler Memorial Library recently held a food drive for the Central Missouri Food Bank.

The library waived $1 in fines for every one food item donated. The Library collected 1,563 items of food and waived $1,275.22 in Library fines.

Thanks to everyone for helping make this food drive a success.

Donations are now being accepted for the Pickler Memorial Library’s Third Annual Book Sale. The sale will be Sept. 23-25. All books, CDs DVDs, tapes, videos, records, sheet music, puzzles, games, art prints and other items are welcome. Donations may be dropped off at Pickler Memorial Library.

Proceeds from the book sale will be used for library materials and programs.

For more information, call 785.4038 or log on to http://library.truman.edu/booksale.htm.

The May Commencement ceremony is still planned to take place at 2 p.m. at Stokes Stadium.
 
In the event of inclement weather, an announcement regarding the procession will be made on the radio (KRES-FM, KTUF-FM, KRXL-FM, KIRX-AM) and local Channel 3 TV between 11 a.m. and noon.  The ceremony will be moved to Pershing Arena and tickets for admission will be required.  Four “rain” tickets have been issued to each degree candidate and must be presented for entrance.  These tickets do not guarantee seating; seating is on a first come, first served basis.  No additional tickets are available due to the size of the graduating class.  Additional seating will be available in Baldwin Hall Auditorium for family and friends who do not have tickets.  The reception will also be moved inside to the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

For Commencement related questions, please call the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office at 660.785.5406.

Truman will have a live webcast of the May 10 Commencement at 2 p.m. People may also view it, on demand, after Commencement is over.

To watch Commencement, viewers should have a high speed internet connection (DSL or cable modem) and Quicktime 7.

The address is http://www.truman.edu/commencement.

If you have questions about this webcast, call ITS at 660.785.4544.

Molly Herbert, instructor of classics, was accepted to Harvard University’s Center for Hellenic Studies summer seminar, “Homeric Nostoi.” The seminar will take place in June.

Joey Buterbaugh, a senior accounting major from Springfield, Mo.; Ryan Hudnall, an accountancy and business administration graduate student from Olathe, Kan.; Chris Mattix, an accountancy graduate student from Overland Park, Kan.; and John Sturgeon, a senior economics and accounting double major from Omaha, Neb.; won the Missouri Society of CPAs’ Central Region LEAP Challenge. The LEAP Challenge quizzes students on areas from the four sections of the CPA exam, in addition to general knowledge pertinent to their discipline. The winning team will compete in the state LEAP challenge in late May.

Nick Mann, a senior biology and music double major, presented a paper, “Utilization of PDAs by Community Health Workers for Field Collection of Malaria Statistics in Rural Haiti,” at the Unite For Sight Global Health Conference April 13 at Yale.

True Men will perform their final concert of the semester at 7:30 p.m. May 6 in Baldwin Auditorium. Contact Graeme Allen at gha024@truman.edu for more information.

Applications are still being accepted for summer and fall 2008 study abroad programs. Submission deadlines for summer 2008 range from mid-April to early May; deadlines for the fall range from mid-April to early June. Applications and more information about specific programs can be picked up in the Study Abroad Office, Kirk Building 114.

This year’s annual boiler shutdown for maintenance and inspection is scheduled for May 12-22. The campus will be without steam for building heat and hot water throughout the shutdown period. West Campus Suites, the Student Recreation Center, Barnett Hall and Campbell Apartments will not be affected.

The Saturday drop off for recycling will be stopped during the summer at Truman’s Recycling Center. No Saturday drop off will take place from May 17-Aug. 16.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be published June 3. The Truman Today is published biweekly during the summer. Submissions for the next issue are due by May 30 to truman.kbest@gmail.com.

Sodexo invites members of the Truman community to attend barbecues on the Mall this summer. The dates are June 13, June 26, July 11 and July 25.

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is now accepting registration for the 2008 Activities Fair, to take place from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 4 on the Quadrangle. All campus departments and student organizations in good standing with the CSI are eligible to register. Registration forms are available in the Center for Student Involvement or at http://studentinvolvement.truman.edu. The first 100 organizations to sign up will be entered into a drawing for a prize.