Vol. 13, No. 32 - June 2, 2009

Douglas Davenport, Jon Gering and Priscilla Riggle will each have new roles at Truman beginning July 1. This spring, all three were selected to serve in newly created dean positions.

Davenport will be the founding Dean of the School of Social and Cultural Studies. He has been with the University since 1995. In addition to serving as the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2007, Davenport served as the Interim Dean of the Division of Social Science from 2005-2007. He is a professor of justice systems and has served in that department throughout his tenure at Truman.


He received a Ph.D. and a master’s degree from Texas Tech University in political science and public administration respectively, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biblical studies from Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo.

While at Truman he has served as the director of the University Portfolio Project and co-coordinator of the Higher Learning Commission Self-Study.

Davenport was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi honor society in 2008. He has also been nominated for the Educator of the Year Award, an A.T. Still Spirit Award and the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award.

Gering will be the founding Dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics. He currently serves as the Biology Department Chair. Gering came to Truman in 2001 as a visiting assistant professor in biology. In 2003 he became an assistant professor and three years later was an associate professor of biology. In 2008 he was named the Biology Department Chair.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in biology from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., in 1994, Gering went on to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he earned a Master of Science degree in zoology in 1997, followed by a Ph.D. in the same field in 2001.

Among his professional accomplishments, Gering is a multiple Educator of the Year Award Nominee. He was included in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teacher, 8th Edition,” and he received a Golden Apple Teaching Award in 2003.

Riggle will be the founding Dean of the School of Arts and Letters. She currently serves as the Chair of the English and Linguistics Department.

She attended Truman from 1983-1988, earning her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English. She went on to study at Bowling Green State University where she earned her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing.


In 1995 Riggle returned to Truman as a member of the English Department and has been the Chair of the English and Linguistics Department since 2007.

Among her professional accomplishments, Riggle was awarded a Walker and Doris Allen Fellowship for Faculty Excellence in 2005. In 2007 she was named Writing Professor of the Year and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Riggle is also a multiple Educator of the Year Award nominee. She has professional memberships in the American Culture Association, the Association of Departments of English, the Modern Language Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Retired librarian Odessa Lang Ofstad recently contributed $100,000 to the University for the creation of a new endowment.

Ofstad worked at Truman from 1967-1993. During her career she served as the cataloger, head cataloger, music and curriculum librarian, archivist and special collections librarian. She retired as Special Collections Librarian Emerita.

The Odessa Lang Ofstad Endowed Library Fund was created to both commemorate her career at Pickler Memorial Library, and to provide a permanent resource for library acquisitions.

The fund was established in May through a gift to the University’s “Bright Minds Bright Futures” campaign. It is Ofstad’s wish that the income it generates will be used to enhance the collections of the library so it will continue to serve as an outstanding academic and cultural resource for the University and the community.

Acquisitions may be made without restriction, however, preference will be given to materials in the areas of ancient languages, English and American literature, primary research, art, music, ornithology, botany, Latin America and Asia.

In response to the ever-increasing demand for energy, a group of Truman students and their faculty mentors are taking strides to be a leader in alternative fuel research with the Bulldog Biodiesel program. To aid in making their program successful, the Truman team recently received a grant worth more than $34,000 from the Northeast Missouri Solid Waste District.

Associate professor of agriculture Tom Marshall and associate professor of chemistry Barbara Kramer co-authored the proposal for the grant, which runs through June 2010.


Bulldog Biodiesel began in the fall of 2007 as a collaborative effort between the agriculture science senior practicum and the American Chemical Society. The group quickly garnered the interest and support of many students and faculty within the University. Thanks to the assistance of the Agriculture Science Development Fund, the group was able to purchase a BioPro 190 automated processor in January 2008, and has since been producing biodiesel with waste vegetable oil donated by several cafeterias and community restaurants. The BioPro 190 allows Bulldog Biodiesel to make and clean approximately 50 gallons of fuel every 48 hours.

Within the area of alternative fuels, the sources of biofuels have become a hotly debated topic. Many people contend that growing crops for the sole purpose of creating fuel is too inefficient to reap any benefits. Bulldog Biodiesel is able to circumvent this argument because all of the input vegetable oil is collected from area restaurants’ fryers and would have otherwise been discarded in a landfill.

Biodiesel is made using a simple chemical process called transesterification, which converts waste vegetable oil and methanol into fuel. The reaction can be carried out with any fat or oil, which are all very similar at a molecular level, consisting of a glyceride backbone and three fatty acid tails. In the presence of a catalyst-sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide-the starting oil is chemically cut in half to give one part glycerol and three parts biodiesel. The resulting glycerol can be used for any number of purposes, including the manufacture of soap.

The glycerol currently produced is being used by the Truman State University Compost Project, and the biodiesel is being burned in tractors and trucks at the University Farm.

In the fall of 2008 Bulldog Biodiesel set forth a three-year plan to gradually increase production and use. Goals included increases in oil collection, number of student workers and shifts per week.

Eventually, all University Farm and Physical Plant vehicles will be powered by Bulldog Biodiesel. At some point, the purchase of a diesel generator will allow the production facility to be powered exclusively by biodiesel-generated electricity. The group would also like to obtain and operate a biodiesel-powered shuttle that makes regular stops at stores throughout Kirksville one to two days per week.

Shane Griffin, a senior music performance major from Newton, Iowa, has been named a Presser Scholar for the 2009-2010 academic year.

The Presser Scholarship is given to an outstanding music major at the end of his or her junior year. The foundation’s grant was awarded to Griffin this spring.


Theodore Presser is remembered not only as the publisher of Etude, the music magazine, and the founder of the great music publishing firm bearing his name, but also as a philanthropist who specialized in music education.

At Truman Griffin has participated as a percussionist with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles, Statesmen Marching Band, Concert Percussion Ensembles and Brass Choir. He also served as the treasurer of the Truman Percussion Society.

Griffin is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 75, and the Percussive Arts Society, for which he served on the logistics team at the International Conventions in Columbus, Ohio and Austin, Texas. He was also selected to perform at the convention in Austin in 2008.

In March 2009, Griffin placed third in the Solo Multiple Percussion competition at the 2nd Annual Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Festival in Lebanon, Mo.

He currently has a 3.77 GPA and has appeared on the Provost and Vice President’s List for Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007 and Spring 2008.

Griffin is active as an area percussion teacher, serving the Kirksville High School music department, as well as being a teacher for several private students of all ages.

Twenty-five students graduated this May with General Honors in Arts and Sciences.


The following students were recognized at the General Honors medal ceremony on May 8 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room:

Dana Marie Bigger, a communication disorders major from Plainfield, Ill., was presented her medal by Ilene Ashbaugh, assistant professor of communication disorders; Rachel Alyse Breland, a political science major from St. Louis, Mo., was presented her medal by James Przybylski, professor of political science; Kent Thomas Buxton, a biology major from Cape Girardeau, Mo., was presented his medal by Roberta Donahue, assistant professor of health science.

Kristy M. Carey, a chemistry major from Rushville, Ill., was presented her medal by Patricia S. Burton, professor of philosophy.

Sylwia Dabrowska, a political science and history major from Urbandale, Iowa, was presented her medal by Candy Young, professor of political science; Christopher George Dove, a biology (BS) and philosophy and religion major from Chesterfield, Mo., was presented his medal by Linda Twining, professor of biology; Caitlin Marie DuHadway, a communication disorders major from St. Peters, Mo., was presented her medal by Janet Gooch, department chair and associate professor of communication disorders.

Adam Gouge, a mathematics (BS) and physics (BA) major from Joplin, Mo., was presented his medal by David Garth, associate professor of mathematics; Arthur David Gregg, an English and (BS) interdisciplinary studies major from St. Louis, Mo., was presented his medal by Adam B. Davis, associate dean of the college of arts and sciences.

Nicole E. Hagstrom, an English major from Quincy, Ill., was presented her medal by Rebecca Harrison, professor of classics; Ann Harman, an English major from Marthasville, Mo., was presented her medal by Suren Fernando, professor of mathematics; Christopher Michael Hassett, a mathematics major from Manchester, Mo., was presented his medal by James Guffey, professor of mathematics; Jacob Henderson, a biology major from Jefferson City, Mo., was presented his medal by Roger Festa, professor of chemistry.

Hana H. Khidir, a biology  major from Jefferson City, Mo., was presented her medal by José Herrera, associate professor of biology; Patrick Clinton Kilgore, a chemistry major from St. Louis, Mo., was presented his medal by David McCurdy, professor of chemistry.

Michael Scott Merritt, an economics major from St. Louis, Mo., was presented his medal by Werner J. Sublette, professor of economics; Mohammad Mozaffar, a biology major from Ballwin, Mo., was presented his medal by Tim Walston, assistant professor of biology; Nadia Mozaffar, a history and communications major from  Ballwin, Mo., was presented her medal by Sally West, associate professor of history.

Carrie Ostrowski, an agricultural science major from Sioux Falls, S.D., was presented her medal by Michael Seipel, chair of the  department of agricultural science.

Mallory Stites, a psychology and English (linguistics concentration) major from Crystal City, Mo., was presented her medal by Robert Tigner, chair of the department of psychology.

Brianna C. Wagner, a justice systems and psychology major from Chesterfield, Mo., was presented her medal by Joe Nedelec, instructor of justice systems; and Lydiann Willard a French major from Warrensburg, Mo., was presented her medal by Gregg H. Siewert, professor of French.

Also graduating with General Honors were Dmitriy Chernookiy, a chemistry major from Sedalia, Mo., Keriann Collins, a linguistics major from Alton, Mo., and Corey Austin Elledge, a mathematics and business administration (finance) major from Saint Charles, Mo. The medals are sponsored by the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Northeast Missouri.   

This is the largest group of graduates. More than 200 Truman students have graduated with General Honors since 1994. To earn General Honors in Arts and Sciences, students must complete five approved courses, with at least one from each of the four areas of mathematics, science, social science, and humanities with a grade point average of at least 3.5 in those courses and an overall cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. Only grades of “A” and “B” may count toward the five General Honors courses and students who complete a single undergraduate major may not satisfy General Honors requirements with any course within their major. For more information, please visit the General Honors in Arts and Sciences webpage at http://honors.truman.edu/.
 

James Guffey, professor of mathematics, is a recipient of the 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education.


Guffey was one of 15 outstanding faculty members, each representing a Missouri college or university, to be recognized for their commitment to excellence in education for Missouri citizens. He received his award during a ceremony in Jefferson City in April.

A University faculty member since 1988, Guffey was named Truman’s Professor of the Year in 2008. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Centre College of Kentucky and his Master of Science degree and Ph.D. from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Truman students were among more than 15,000 individuals who helped raise money for children's literacy this spring.

First Book received a $1,500 donation on April 30 to help with its mission to give disadvantaged children their first book. The donation came from The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), a nonprofit organization that recognizes and engages high-achieving college students at 235 universities.

NSCS pledged to donate 10 cents per fan on its Facebook Fan page on April 30, in honor of its 15th anniversary. NSCS rallied its members and supporters at Truman to contribute to the cause.

First Book was chosen as the donation recipient because of the strong connection between reading at an early age and academic success. First Book was started in 1992 after Kyle Zimmer, a corporate lawyer by day and tutor at an inner-city soup kitchen by night, discovered that the children she tutored had no books to read. Since then, First Book has delivered more than 60 million books to programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada.

NSCS is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is the nation’s only interdisciplinary honors organization to invite first- and second-year college students. Membership is by invitation only, based on grade point average and class standing.

NSCS has more than 625,000 members and 233 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Truman’s NSCS chapter was founded in 2001.

The Gates Millennium organization is accepting summer applications until June 19. GMS summer term funding is only available for scholars who will complete their degree program with a degree conferred at the end of the summer term or for Graduate Scholars who are taking courses during the summer required by their degree program. For more information visit the Gates Millennium Scholars website at http://www.gmsp.org.

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants will be awarding up to $1,000 each year to the winner of this scholarship. To apply students must submit an essay on one of the two topics that appear on the scholarship page of their website at http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm. Application deadline is June 20.

The BigSun Organization is offering a $500 scholarship to a deserving student athlete, regardless of their respective sport. Please visit http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply. Deadline for submission is June 27.

The Emerging Scholar Awards recognize outstanding rising sophomores studying at Phi Kappa Phi member institutions. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi will grant 60 awards in the amount of $250 to students who meet the following eligibility requirements:

 *   Attend an institution with a Phi Kappa Phi chapter

 *   Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale

 *   Have a minimum of 30 semester hours

 *   Have earned no more than a total of 60 semester hours

For more information and instructions on how to apply, go to http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/Scholarships/emergingscholar.html.

Deadline for applications is July 15. Winners will be announced by Sept. 1.

Michael Goggin, associate professor of physics, gave a poster presentation entitled “Experimental investigation of the connection between weak measurements and violation of the Leggett-Garg Inequality” at DAMOP 2009, the annual meeting of the Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics of the American Physical Society. The meeting took place May 20-23 in Charlottesville, Va., and was attended by physicists from five continents. Goggin’s presentation was based on work done at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia while he was on sabbatical there last year.

Adam Gouge, a May 2009 graduate, has been selected to receive a $5,000 graduate fellowship from the national chapter of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Each local chapter of Phi Kappa Phi is allowed to submit one name for national consideration. In a committee led by Maria Di Stefano, dean of graduate studies, Gouge’s application was selected to send to the national organization. Phi Kappa Phi awards 60 fellowships and 40 $2,000 awards of merit each year.

Russell Nelson, chair of the art department and associate professor of art, recently completed a mural honoring every branch of the military and depicting every major U.S. conflict since WWI. The mural, which measures 7 feet tall and 38 feet long, is on display at the Kirksville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2508, located at 21464 Parallel Road. Plans for the mural had been in development since 2006, and Nelson began painting it in May 2008. The VFW paid for supplies and Nelson did the work free of charge.

Phi Kappa Phi’s board of directors recently approved the creation of a new awards program entitled Love of Learning. Love of Learning Awards will help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members to include (but not be limited to): graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. Recipients of the Fellowship award are not eligible to apply. Fifty awards, up to $500 each, will be awarded, making the annual funding for this award $25,000. The competition is open to all active (dues current) Phi Kappa Phi members who have completed their baccalaureate studies by application submission deadline and did not receive a Fellowship or Award of Excellence grant. For more information or to download an application go to http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/Scholarships/loveoflearning.html.

College Democrats will sponsor a free screening of “The Accidental Advocate” at 6:30 p.m. June 2 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. Members of the campus and Kirksville communities are invited to attend and participate in a brief panel discussion.