Vol. 25 No. 27 - April 6, 2021

Truman nursing students have played a critical part in the COVID-19 response in northeast Missouri by helping administer more than 10,000 vaccines.

Students in the Rural Public Health Nursing course have provided support at mass vaccinations clinics since Jan. 31. The 24 students in the class have participated in 34 clinics in 62 days across five counties, filling roughly 70 volunteer vaccinator positions.

“Our students are on the front lines helping combat the biggest public health crisis in more than 100 years,” said Nola Martz, assistant professor of nursing. “They have been able to step in and make positive contributions for such an important community outreach program. That says a lot about their skills as health care providers and how well our department prepares them for their careers.”

In Adair County alone, nursing students have been involved in 10 drive-through clinics sponsored by Northeast Regional Medical Center and two large events sponsored by the Adair County Health Department, where they worked alongside Truman student health faculty and staff. Other assistance supporting the clinics came from the Missouri National Guard and State Emergency Management, A.T. Still University, the area vocational technical center, surrounding local health department staff, local and state first responders and even volunteers from the conservation corps of Ameri-Corp based in Minneapolis.

Nursing students are scheduled to assist at local vaccination clinics throughout April and May.

Victor Marquez-Barrios, associate professor of music theory and composition, will have his album, “Solo,” released on all streaming platforms April 23.

This project includes compositions created over a period of 14 years, from a piano sonata written in 2006 while Marquez-Barrios was a graduate student in Michigan, to a set of miniatures for solo guitar written in 2020 while in lockdown and motivated by circumstances related to the COVID pandemic.

“Coming from a background in popular music, I knew it was important to have professional recordings of my work – something that is not perceived as common in the classical world,” Marquez-Barrios said. “After each performance of one of my compositions I’d try to convince the performer(s) to do a high-quality studio recording. The problem with this is that I had to pay for each of these sessions out of pocket. I had no sponsors, so it took years of recording one piece at a time to put a full album together.”

In addition to his role as composer, Marquez-Barrios appears on the album as a performer in a piece for guitar. Although the work is titled “Solo,” it is actually quite a collaborative effort. It includes works for unaccompanied flute and clarinet, and numerous Truman artists contributed to the album’s creation. Jesse Krebs, professor of music, performs the composition “Two Waltzes” for solo Bb clarinet, which was recorded by Charles Gran, professor and chair of the Department of Music, at the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Matthew Derezinski, associate professor of art, designed the cover, which includes a picture by University photographer Tim Barcus. Post-production and cover art design were generously funded by Truman’s School of Arts and Letters through its mini-grant program.

“I came to Truman in 2015 and have enjoyed collaborating with colleagues and students since then, within the Music Department and beyond,” Marquez-Barrios said. “I actively look for these opportunities to work with other artists because I feel that I learn lots in the process and, thankfully, I’ve found other people equally enthusiastic about collaboration here.”  

Physical copies of “Solo” in CD format are available now for $10. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Global Giving, a nonprofit organization that provides medical care and medicine to children in need in Venezuela. The audio mastering for “Solo” was done in Venezuela by audio engineer Juan Almao, and Marquez-Barrios has personal ties to the country.

“I was born and raised in Venezuela, a beautiful country currently going through what the UN Refugee Agency has called ‘the largest displacement crisis in the world,’” Marquez-Barrios said. “Most Venezuelan children are under threat and in need of protection these days, and I’d like to try and help with those efforts.”

CDs can be purchased at marquezbarrios.com or by contacting Marquez-Barrios via email.

Boyd was recognized for creating virtual cadavers to help her students gain anatomy experience, even after COVID led to classes going online. Using cadaver images from the internet, she made her own abdomen into a “green screen” to give students a three-dimensional view of various internal organs, vessels and muscles.

Davis was recognized for ‘Flipping’ the Language Classroom: Using Flipgrid to Increase Student Participation. To promote student communication outside the classroom, she investigated the use of a free social learning platform called Flipgrid. With this tool, students could upload video responses to questions and leave comments on other classmates’ posts. Flipgrid allowed a more personalized interaction between students/students and students/instructor. It also enabled students to use Spanish in a more interactive discussion board, which is helpful for language acquisition.

Truman came in at No. 5, an improvement of four spots from last year. It was the highest-rated Missouri school by more than 50 spots, and one of only two Show-Me State public schools to be included in the rankings.

College Consensus aggregates published rankings from sources such as Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and the Washington Monthly, along with student reviews from sites such as Cappex, Niche and Student Review to get a full picture of how students see their colleges. Using that score, schools are then ordered according to the most recent out-of-state tuition and fee information published by the National Center for Education Statistics. For its Best Value list, College Consensus editors take cost into consideration in order to compile a list of affordable schools that are still high quality.

The complete Best Value College and Universities can be found at collegeconsensus.com/rankings/best-value-schools.

Federal regulations and University policy require “regular and substantive interaction” in all courses. Under this new initiative, students are expected to attend class at least once during the first calendar week of the semester or complete a substantive assignment in an online course during the same time period. Faculty in online courses will define what requirement must be met during this time period in their syllabus. Failure to attend or complete the required assignment during the first week could result in removal from the course.  

Students with extenuating circumstances should contact the instructor in advance if they are unable to participate during the first week of class.

Instructors will contact students the Monday after classes begin if students have not attended a class, completed the described requirement or made other arrangements in advance. Failure to respond by Wednesday of that week will result in removal from class after 5 p.m. that day. Drops are timed to maximize student tuition refunds and recovery of financial aid so that students are not losing money for classes they are less likely to complete successfully.  

“This policy is designed to protect the interests of students by ensuring they are getting the full benefit of their classes and tuition dollars,” said Kevin Minch, associate provost. “It is our hope that this policy will encourage students to interact with their faculty in a timely manner and establish good habits of attendance and participation.”


Questions about how this policy will be applied in a specific class can be directed to the instructor. For more information about the policy in general, contact the Provost’s Office at 660.785.4105.

Greek Week is a celebration that takes place each spring and strives to build and promote Greek unity on campus through friendly team competitions. It is also a time for Greeks to give back to the campus and Kirksville community.

This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Greek Week!” and all money raised will go to RAIL, Rural Advocates for Independent Living. This non-profit organization assists persons with disabilities to live as independently as they choose within the communities of their choice.

Activities began April 5 with a fundraising event at Bellacino’s from 5-8 p.m. and a screening of “Ratatouille” on the quad at 7:15 p.m.

All events happening throughout Greek Week will be in accordance with University COVID-19 policies. More details are available at greekweek.truman.edu.

Greek Week Events
Movie Trivia
6:30 p.m.
April 6
Quad

Penny Bucket Competition
10 a.m.-2 p.m. • April 6-8
10 a.m.-12 p.m. • April 9
Mall
All donations benefit RAIL.

Scavenger Hunt
All Day
April 7
Campus wide

Greek Week Lip Sync
7 p.m.
April 7-8
Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door
Greek Week will host its annual lip sync in Baldwin Hall at 7 p.m. April 7-8. Teams 2, 5 and 6 will perform April 7, while teams 1, 3 and 4 will perform April 8. Attendance will be limited and all campus COVID-19 policies will be enforced.

Closing Celebration
3 p.m.
April 9
Quad


Greek Week Court Candidates
Alex Sosa
Beta Theta Pi

Braden Leuthauser
Pi Kappa Phi

Will James
Delta Chi

Karlie Strawhun
Delta Zeta

Maria Carani
Sigma Kappa

Shelby Duessel
Delta Phi Epsilon

The Office of Student Research is accepting applications for Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research (GIASR) as well as Conference Travel Scholarships.

Conference Travel Scholarships are for students presenting the results of their research or creative scholarship at a conference between July and December 2021. Students applying must have completed or currently be involved in a faculty mentored research experience and plan on presenting at the conference. Due to COVID-19, the Conference Travel Scholarship will only cover student registration to attend a virtual conference.

GIASR applications are for research and creative scholarship conducted during the summer. Grant applications may request up to $750 and can cover student stipends, supplies and travel to conduct research.

Complete guidelines for the Conference Travel Scholarship and GIASR applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications for both opportunities are due by 11:59 p.m. April 6. Questions can be emailed to osr@truman.edu.

International Justice Mission (IJM) is hosting “Threads,” its annual pop-up thrift store from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 7-8 at the Baptist Student Union. Live music and games will take place from 3-5 p.m. April 8. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. Gloves and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry. All funds raised will go directly to IJM to support rescue missions for those currently enslaved all over the globe.

Preparation courses are non-credit bearing and are offered at a range of lengths, at a variety of times and dates, and various points throughout the year. Students who register at least 10 business days in advance of the course can secure discounts of between $50-$100 per course. Courses are priced to be competitive with other national providers.

For high school students, preparation courses for the ACT and SAT are also available.

For detailed descriptions of the available courses, and for more information on how to enroll, visit examprep.truman.edu.

 
The Economics Department Speaker Series will welcome Matt Zwolinski to present about universal basic income.

Zwolinski is a professor of philosophy at the University of San Diego. He is also the founder and director of USD’s Center for Ethics, Economics and Public Policy. One of Zwolinkski’s areas of expertise is universal basic income.

After the idea of a universal basic income gained national attention with the presidential campaign of Andrew Yang, people began to wonder where this idea came from and whether or not it made economic or moral sense. In Zwolinski’s talk, he will answer those questions and more. He will cover the history of UBI, the main arguments for and against it and the appeal not only on the political left, but among certain conservatives and libertarians as well.

Zwolinksi’s presentation will take place at 7 p.m. April 19 in the Student Union Budiling Georgian Room B and will be available as in-person or livestreamed event.

Lavender Graduation will occur from 4-6 p.m. May 2 in the Baldwin Hall Little Theatre. This event will celebrate LGBTQ+ undergraduates and graduates of spring, summer or fall 2021 classes. Friends, family, faculty, staff and allies are welcome to attend in support of the graduates. Attendance is free. For more information, and to RSVP by April 16, visit diversity.truman.edu/lavgrad.

In light of the recent resignation of Lauri Millot, Truman’s institutional compliance officer, two on-campus individuals have been identified to assist on an interim basis until a new institutional compliance officer is hired. Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, will work with faculty and staff, and J.D. Smiser, director of the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards, will work with students.

The responsibilities of the institutional compliance officer are to manage Truman’s compliance with Title IX, Title IV and Title VII, and act as a neutral party in all aspects of the University’s compliance with federal and state non-discrimination laws. Individuals that desire to discuss an incident; make an inquiry regarding equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, and/or Section 504; or make a report are directed to the Institutional Compliance Office at 660.785.4354 or titleix@truman.edu. Complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and retaliation may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Office or titleix.truman.edu/make-a-report.

Tapas de Espana
7 p.m.
April 20
Zoom Meeting ID: 210 630 1220
Zoom Meeting Password: 0ZQVcm

The University Board of Governors will meet at 1 p.m. April 10 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms A and B.

Michael Ashcraft, professor of philosophy and religion, published an essay entitled “Scholarship on UFOs and Religion: The First Seventy-five Years” in “Handbook of UFO Religions,” Benjamin Zeller, ed.

Jerrold Hirsch, professor emeritus of history, has an extended essay, “B. A. Botkin,” published on the SAGE Research Methods platform. The essay is part of the Qualitative Pioneers of Social Research series.

In their weekly meeting, Faculty Senate COVID-19 Working Group committee members Nancy Daley-Moore, Christine Harker and Scott Alberts discussed vaccine availability and the importance of finishing the semester on a positive note.

With less than five weeks to go before the semester ends, everyone should continue to follow all COVID precautions, particularly wearing a mask and maintaining social distance. Truman seems to have avoided a spike in cases after spring break, and continued vigilance among students, faculty and staff can prevent a surge in cases before vaccines are readily available.

In Missouri, vaccines will be open to everyone by April 9. Even people who are not considered high risk should consider getting the vaccine in order to help reach herd immunity and stop the spread to more vulnerable populations. Information on local vaccine options can be found here.

A recording of the committee discussion is available here.

A COVID vaccination clinic for Truman students, faculty, staff and food service employees will take place on campus from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. April 7 in Pershing Arena. This clinic is for the Truman community only. Four hundred doses are expected to be available on a first-registered basis. If needed, another clinic will be announced for the following week.
 
Hy-Vee Pharmacy will administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one dose to complete the vaccination. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the receipt of the vaccine.
 

• All participants must complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Consent and Administration Record and return it to Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, no later than 12 p.m. April 6.

• Truman students and employees are able to schedule a vaccine appointment with their Truman login here. Sodexo employees must contact the Human Resources Office at 660.785.4031 or stop by McClain Hall 101 to register.

Participants are not fully registered until both steps are completed.
 
Appointments will be available at 15-minute intervals throughout the day. All vaccine recipients will be required to wait a minimum of 15 minutes following vaccination to detect any immediate untoward reactions.
 
The vaccine is provided at no cost. Insurance will be billed and insurance information is required on the consent record. For any individual without insurance, a driver’s license or Social Security number is required. Regardless of insurance coverage, no vaccine recipient will be charged personally for the vaccine.

A.T. Still University-Kirksville Family Medicine will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 6 and 7 at the Gutensohn Clinic, located at 800 W. Jefferson St., Kirksville, Mo. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered to patients age 18 and older at no cost and by appointment only. Appointments will be scheduled in 15-minute intervals. Participants will be required to follow CDC guidelines, including wearing a mask and social distancing.   

The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, based in Columbia, Mo., will conduct a COVID-19 vaccination clinic April 10 in Kirksville for veterans who are eligible for VA health care. Vaccinations will be administered by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 660.627.8387.

 
Listed below are several of the major national fellowships and their websites. More information about these fellowships is available at www.truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/fellowships.

For Graduate Studies
Fulbright Grants
Research grants and teaching assistantships for a year abroad

Rhodes Scholarships
Grants for two years of study at Oxford University

Marshall Scholarships
Awards for two years of study in any British university

Mitchell Scholarships
One year of graduate study or research in Ireland or Northern Ireland

Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Awards for an advanced degree or second bachelor’s degree at the University of Cambridge
 
For Undergraduate Studies
Goldwater Scholarships
Up to $7,500 annually for tuition, fees, books, room and board for science and mathematics majors

Harry S. Truman Scholarships
For senior year and post-graduate study leading to a career in public service

Udall Scholarships
For students interested in careers related to environmental issues or for Native Americans and Alaskans interested in careers related to health care and tribal public policy

Carnegie Endowment Junior Fellowships
For students interested in international affairs to work as research assistants to the Endowment’s senior associates in Washington, D.C. for a full year

Boren Scholarships
To study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests

The Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation will offer the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship, named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy.

Purdy was born in 1914 on a farm near Macon and was the first in his family to attend a four-year college. He worked in the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture before becoming the campus’s first director of scholarships and student financial aid.

The scholarship is designed to provide merit-based scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and have a need for additional resources for higher education. The scholarship amount can vary based on an applicant’s circumstances. The general range will be $1,000-$5,000 based on expected family contribution (EFC), unmet need and other factors.

Applicants must be a Missouri resident, typically a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA, a U.S. Citizen, and a sophomore, junior or senior attending a Missouri public four-year university or the State Technical College of Missouri. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2021. Applications should be submitted online through Scholarship Central at moslf.org. To access more information about this scholarship, click here, or contact the Financial Aid Office at 660.785.4130.