Vol. 25 No. 9 - October 12, 2020

Art has a way of bringing people together like few other things can, which is why it is the perfect subject for a TRU 100 First-Year Experience Symposium course. Using art projects as a common bond, incoming Truman students not only make new friends, they also connect to the Kirksville community.

TRU 100: CREATE is one of the nine symposium offerings available to incoming students. The class is currently working on six different outreach projects, each with the common theme of using art to celebrate and strengthen community. Already, Truman students have conducted a workshop at the Sue Ross Arts Center downtown, and a future project includes a collaborative art venture with local children.

“Giving children an opportunity to be creative, showing them a process that combines science with art, and connecting them to the arts center at an early age are excellent short-term goals that could have positive future outcomes,” said Danielle Yakle, assistant professor of art, sculpture and fibers.

Yakle is no stranger to having her students create community art. Past endeavors have included the kraken on the quad and the solar system in the library pit. In order to allow 100 first-year students to make optimum use of a one-hour class, Yakle has them working with cyanotype, an alternative photo process which incorporates photosensitive chemicals to make an image. When an item has been covered in the material, parts that are exposed to UV light for a period of time will turn blue.

“I knew students could learn it quickly, teach it to other people in the community quickly, and do it on a large scale that would allow us to create an impressive public artwork,” Yakle said.

In addition to the cyanotype projects, future goals of the TRU 100: CREATE class include developing on-campus art-themed events for students, publication of zines – small DIY booklets – that will be distributed through various means near the end of the semester and will encourage others to notice things that might get overlooked in their surroundings. There is also the aptly named Big Art Project that will be displayed publicly. The yet-to-be-determined venture will be documented on a website by students in the class so all interested parties can follow its progress.

“Even if not every student will connect directly with Kirksville, the symposium can encourage students to get to know their surroundings, collaborate with the people around them, and be more civically minded,” Yakle said.

To a certain extent, the class has already achieved that goal.

“A lot of them have started to open up a lot,” said Samuel Sardis, a preceptor for the course. “I’ve been seeing a lot of students’ responses change as the semester goes on. You can tell they’re becoming more open minded and they’re being more communally aware of their surroundings.”  

Nathan Dowell, a first-year student from St. Charles, Mo., selected the course specifically because it was something outside of his comfort zone.

“I wanted to expand my knowledge and my creativity – to be able to approach problems differently. I wanted to look at new things,” Dowell said. “I haven’t had an art class since elementary school.”

A history and political science major, Dowell credits his experiences in the class with helping him connect with Kirksville.

“Learning about how they’re trying to put in new sidewalks, and how they’re remaking some buildings downtown, that stuff was really interesting. It helped me learn a little bit more about the community in general,” he said. “I feel like the more familiar I am, the more this place starts to feel like home.”

Artwork from the workshop Truman students conducted with local children will be on display at the Sue Ross Arts Center starting in November. The website documenting the Big Art Project will be available soon and shared through Truman social media platforms.

 
Twenty-four Truman students who were elected to the Delta of Missouri chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Society last spring were officially validated as members by the organization this semester. The induction ceremony, normally conducted at the end of the spring semester, was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but these students are now recognized as lifetime members of Phi Beta Kappa.

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa affirms the value of the depth and breadth of the liberal arts and sciences in American life and honors the achievement of undergraduate students who excel in this regard.
 
In addition to the students elected as members in course below, Delta chapter also elected as an alumna member Dr. Sharron Sue (Grogan-Bailey) Quisenberry, who received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Truman in 1966. She received her Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1980 and went on to have an extraordinarily distinguished career over the next 40 years. Quisenberry currently serves as associate dean for research and faculty and graduate affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. She was Truman’s commencement speaker during the December 2019 ceremony.
 
The Phi Beta Kappa Members in Course, Class of 2020, are: Karis Dawn Chapman, Carmen M. Cochran, Shannon Elizabeth Fetzner, Cole Harrison Flottman, Johanna Clare Fuehne, Theo David Greer, Mahan Jason Hadjian, Erin Kathleen Hannegan McKee, Mary Susan Hansen, Seleen Janea Hubbert, Kathleen Rose Huggins, Allison Y. Kufta, Addie Marie Leabo, Keaton Jaye Leppanen, Alexandra Jane Miller, Zoe Kathryn Moore, Rachel Elizabeth Owings, Nick Michael Pritchett, Maguire Joseph Radosevic, Will Matthew Schatz, Karie Nicole Schmitz, Avery Mae Schroeder, Maura Clare Shimmens and Madeleine Mary Staley.

With schedules altered due to the ongoing pandemic, the GLVC has approved a winter schedule for men’s and women’s basketball for this upcoming season.

Both teams will begin practice Oct. 15. Each team in the GLVC will play 22 games, against conference opponents only. There are three divisions of five teams each, with Truman joining Lindenwood, Maryville, UMSL and Quincy in the Central.

At this time, fans will not be permitted at basketball games this season, but that is subject to change.

Here is the complete schedule, for both the men and women:

Nov. 27 @ Lewis
Nov. 29 @UINDY
Dec. 5 @UMSL
Dec. 12 @Lindenwood
Dec. 18 vs. Maryville
Dec. 20 vs. Quincy
Jan. 3 vs. Southern Indiana
Jan. 6 vs. William Jewell
Jan. 9 @Drury
Jan. 14 vs. Missouri S&T
Jan. 16 @Maryville
Jan. 21 vs. Lindenwood
Jan. 23 vs. UMSL
Jan. 28 @McKendree
Jan. 30 @Southern Indiana
Feb. 4 vs. UINDY
Feb. 6 vs. Lewis
Feb. 11 @Illinois-Springfield
Feb. 13 @Quincy
Feb. 20 @William Jewell
Feb. 25 vs. Rockhurst
Feb. 27 vs. Southwest Baptist (Senior Day)
March 4-7 GLVC Tournament
March 12-16 NCAA Regionals
March 23-27 NCAA Elite Eight

Lindsey Dunnagan, Sara Day and Brian Snyder

Sara Day, Lindsey Dunnagan and Brian Snyder all earned the spring 2020 Academic Innovation Award.

Day and Dunnagan were recognized for “Cross-Course Collaboration: The Picture Book Project.” Students from Day’s Literature for Children class wrote their own original stories, and Dunnagan’s Intermediate Drawing Experience students created illustrations. Bringing together strengths from different areas, this cross-course collaboration reflects what authors and illustrators may encounter in a publishing setting.

Brian Snyder won for “Pulmonary Gas Exchange in Exercise Physiology.” Pulmonary gas exchange is a difficult concept to truly grasp for most undergraduate students as it combines physiology, anatomy and chemistry. By personifying hemoglobin and the oxygen it delivers, respectively as a white Pontiac Sunbird convertible and people going to parties, Snyder allowed students to engage with the advanced concepts and discuss them with their peers.

David MacDonald

The Music Department and Sigma Alpha Iota will host two days of modern music, featuring guest composer Dr. David MacDonald, Oct. 16-17.

All events will be streamed through the Music Department’s streaming channel. The concert Oct. 16 will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature performances by Truman faculty and students, soloists and ensembles, including works by MacDonald.

Oct. 17 events include “Music for Social Distancing,” a talk by MacDonald, at 3 p.m. on Zoom, ID 988 589 8085. Starting at 4 p.m. there will be a concert with performances by Truman faculty and students, including works by MacDonald and a performance by Uncommon Practice.

The final concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. with guest performers Nois Saxophone Quartet.

For more information, visit nsmf.truman.edu.

The Top Dog Challenge between Truman and the University of Indianapolis will run through Oct. 23. The GLVC foes are each soliciting donations to support local nonprofit organizations. All gifts made on Truman’s behalf will go to support The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, as well as the Adair County Humane Society. Donations can be made directly online here. During the challenge, posters will be available at various times throughout campus in exchange for a donation of $1 or more.

The English and Linguistics Department will host an advising night from 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 via Zoom. Students can get tips on mental health, spring registration and an introduction to other advising resources.

In honor of Homecoming week, apparel is now available on the U&I shop. Short-sleeve T-shirts are available in purple and blue. Long-sleeve shirts are available in navy, and there is a short-sleeve T-shirt celebrating the Top Dog Challenge against the University of Indianapolis. All options are available for pre-order. Orders can be picked up or will be shipped the week of Homecoming.

Learn some of the choreography from the hit musical “Dear Evan Hansen Friday.” Participants will be led through a series of stretches, a little bit of dance conditioning and be taught choreography from the song “Waving Through a Window.” Modifications of choreography will be provided for all levels. The class will take place from 5-6 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Student Recreation Center 208. Capacity for the room is 14.

The Truman Compost Project wants to help you help the environment.

Anyone can bring kitchen food scraps to the Compost Project’s public collection bin on South Elson Street, located at the Communiversity Garden site, just east of West Campus Suites. Any food material, paper towels and paper napkins are accepted, but no food packaging, plastic or pet waste.

The Compost Project recommends using an ice cream bucket or other lidded container to save several days’ worth of kitchen scraps, then bring it to the bin.  It is also suggested to line the empty container with a paper towel before filling with scraps so it will be easier to clean.

Rot Riders is a student-led group that offers free curb-side pickup of food scraps, then transports them to the compost bin using bicycle trailers. They can be contacted at rotriders@kvpermaculture.org.  

Learn more about the Truman Compost Project at compost.truman.edu or follow it Facebook or Instagram.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be filed now for the 2021-2022 school year at studentaid.gov.

Even though a student may not qualify for grants or work study, all students are considered for the Federal Direct Loan (no co-signer required). Filing the FAFSA does not commit you to taking a loan, but it does allow you more options.

The 2021-2022 FAFSA requires students to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For the 2021-2022 FAFSA students will use their 2019 tax information.

It is strongly recommended to apply or renew before Feb. 1, 2021.

The Truman State University Film Festival was created in response to this interest in student filmmaking, and is intended to be a creative outlet and platform for undergraduates in the state of Missouri and beyond to share their work.

This year’s film festival will take place in a virtual format the weekend of Nov. 5-8. Starting at 12 p.m. Nov. 5, introductions go live, along with a Vincent Price film. Tune in anytime until the end of the festival. At 12 p.m. Nov. 8 judging decisions will be available and winners announced.

For more information visit filmfest.truman.edu.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Service Recognition Luncheon was canceled. President Thomas recently recognized approximately 179 current and retired Truman employees individually for their commitment and service to the University.

5 Years
Michael Barnes – Accounting
Brett Berke – Biology
Marc Bowen – Information Technology Services
Sarah Brookhart – Physical Plant
Stacy Bryant – Spanish
John Chambers – Sodexo
Jeffrey Chrisman – Physical Plant
Heidi Cook – Art
Michael Cummings – Center for International Students
Nancy Daley-Moore – Health and Exercise Sciences
Jack Davis – German
Eric Dickson – Music
Jeramey Dockery – Athletics
Janes Dreamweaver – Student Recreation Center
Jamie Edmondson – Sodexo
Wanda Elam – Physical Plant
Thomas Fitzler – Information Technology Services
Craig Hennigan – Communication
Courtney Holton – Registrar’s Office
Jeremy Hopkins – Assessment and Testing
Isaac Ison – Accounting
Paul Kelly – Sodexo
Stephanie Maiden – Biology
Elina Manandhar – Sodexo
Victor Marquez-Barrios – Music
Victoria Mayer – Sociology
Seth McCoy – Sodexo
Bill Miller – Chemistry
Amy Norgard – Classics
Enrique Pareja – STEM Education
Joyce Patrick – Biology
Ashley Ramsey – Psychology
Stephanie Russell – History
Oscar Sendon – Spanish
Jerod Simek – Athletics
Deanna Sloan – Sodexo
Amanda Starks – Health and Exercise Sciences
David Sublett – Physical Plant
Daniel Titus – Pickler Memorial Library

10 Years
Melinda Lewis – Physical Plant
Bill Maples – Information Technology Services
Jeffrey Morton – Public Safety
Richard Muffley – Information Technology Services
Kellen Nesbitt – Athletics
Robert Robinson – Sodexo
Shelly Schmidt – Sodexo
Deanna Shahan – Sodexo
Michelle Mada Smith – Physical Plant
Linda Snyder – Sodexo
Samuel Thomas – Sodexo

15 Years
Jana Arabas – Health and Exercise Sciences
Ben Briney – Athletics
Zac Burden – Residence Life
James Cianciola – Communication
Don Cochran – Athletics
Julie Cullum – Sodexo
Cassie DeBlauw – Athletics
Debra Drury – Regional Professional Development Center
Sheila Garlock – Communication Disorders
Julie Hanes – Information Technology Services
Leslie Hardesty – Athletics
Jesse Krebs – Music
Amanda Langendoerfer – Pickler Memorial Library
Zhong Ma – Biology
Robert Matthews – Computer Science
Pam Ouyang – Sodexo
Jay Self – Communication
Diane Treece – Student Recreation Center
Joetta Walter – Regional Professional Development Center
Lin Zhang – Business Administration

20 Years
Scott Alberts – Statistics
Randall Bame – Baldwin Auditorium/Theatre
Terresa Bell – Sodexo
Lana Bogeart – School of Business
Michael Bump – Music
Julie Burns – Financial Aid
Dereck Daschke – Philosophy and Religion
Danion Doman – Spanish
Taner Edis – Physics
Deborah Engen – Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology and Justice Systems
David Garth – Mathematics
Terri Harris – Sodexo
Charles Hunsaker – Advancement
Jennifer Jesse – Philosophy and Religion
Priya Kambli – Art
Hyun-Joo Kim – Statistics
Michelle Kleine – Communication
Andrew Klyukovski – Communication
Joaquin Maldonado-Class – Spanish
Daniel Mandell – History
Sarah Mohler – English
Amy Nunan – Information Technology Services
Lena Reardon – Pickler Memorial Library
Teresa Rehm – Sodexo
Pamela Ryan – Mathematics
Calvin Schvitz – Sodexo
Alex Tetlak – Classics
Scott Thatcher – Statistics
Juan Carlos Valencia – Spanish
Brenda Wheeler – Nursing
Stephen Wynn – Pickler Memorial Library

25 Years
Tim Barcus – Public Relations
Evonne Bird – Health and Exercise Sciences
H. Michael Bird – Exercise Science
Jay Bulen – Music
Vanessa Dixson – Sodexo
Janet Gooch – Academic Affairs
Elisabeth Hooper – Biology
Melody Jennings – Health and Exercise Sciences
Brenda Killen – Business Office
Liyan Liao – Information Technology Services
Debbie Maize – Physical Plant
Deborah McCartney – Sodexo
David Nilson – Sodexo
Diane Richmond – Information Technology Services
Priscilla Riggle – English
Larry Rogers – Physical Plant
Susan Scheurer – Mathematics
Warren Wells – General Counsel
Sally West – History

30 Years
Brent Buckner – Biology
David Gillette – Economics
Randy Hagerty – Political Science
Brenda Higgins – Student Health Center/Nursing
Diane Janick-Buckner – Biology
Samuel Ling – Physics
Ronald Mason – Sodexo
Terry Olson – Economics
Paul Parker – Political Science
Kimberly Titus – Registrar’s Office

35 Years
Joyce Cook – Public Safety
Sherry Dare – Information Technology Services
Stephen Pollard – Philosophy

40 Years
RaMona Davis – School of Health Sciences and Education
Connie Jacobs – Pickler Memorial Library
Gwen Perrachione – Information Technology Services
Candy Young – Political Science

45 Years
Salvatore Costa – Psychology
Fred Shaffer – Psychology

Retirees
Timothy Baker – Physical Plant, 13 years of service
M. Anne Bergey – Biology, 24 years of service
Michael Blum – Business Administration, 31 years of service
Steven Brookhart – Physical Plant, 27 years of service
Katalina Bulen – English and Linguistics, 18 years of service
Michael Burkett – Physical Plant, 21 years of service
Wanda Cagle – Pickler Memorial Library, 36 years of service
Mark Campbell – Agriculture, 23 years of service
Janice Clark – Health Science, 15 years of service
Marsha Cook – Pickler Memorial Library, 30 years of service
Michael Corrick – Physical Plant, 33 years of service
Andrea Davis – French and German, 27 years of service
Vicki Falls – Physical Plant, 20 years of service
Suren Fernando – Mathematics, 19 years of service
Robert Fisher – Physical Plant, 28 years of service
Sally Herleth – Human Resources, 21 years of service
Lillian Jackson – Physical Plant, 26 years of service
Mary Jane Kiefer – Financial Aid, 17 years of service
Lucy Lee – Spanish, 33 years of service
Susan Limestall – Student Recreation Center, 24 years of service
Jason Lin – Business Administration, 34 years of service
Carol Lockhart – Pickler Memorial Library, 32 years of service
Douglas Ludolph – Physical Plant, 27 years of service
David Murphy – Philosophy and Religion, 32 years of service
Kim Murphy – Business Office, 22 years of service
John Neitzke – Computer Science, 33 years of service
William Brett Page – Physical Plant, 18 years of service
Charles Parks – Information Technology Services, 40 years of service
Beverly Perrachione – Elementary Education, 15 years of service
Lloyd Pflueger – Religion, 27 years of service
Daisy Rearick – Pickler Memorial Library, 20 years of service
Steven Reschly – History, 25 years of service
Dana Safley – Admission, 35 years of service
Joyce Schmitz – Classical and Modern Languages, 26 years of service
George Shinn – Biology, 33 years of service
Mark Smith – Communication, 15 years of service
Chein-Hsing “Jane” Sung – Economics, 33 years of service
Ann Weidner – University Counseling Services, 28 years of service
Mark Weidner – Center for Academic Excellence, 29 years of service
Cindy Woods – Advancement, 31 years of service