Vol. 26 No. 11 - November 1, 2021

Truman’s Theatre Department will perform “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10-13 in the James G. Severns Theatre.

“Much Ado About Nothing” is about Don Pedro’s army arriving at Leonato’s country estate ready for rest and relaxation after the end of a war. Claudio, a young nobleman, falls for Hero, a fair young woman. Two other young people, Beatrice and Benedick, swear they’ll never marry, and a plot is hatched to trick them into falling in love. Later, the veneer of love is stripped away when Hero is wrongly accused and apologies must humbly be made.

“Much Ado About Nothing” is appropriate for audience members of all ages however the heightened text might make it difficult for young children to understand. Runtime is approximately 135 minutes with an intermission.

Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at boxoffice.truman.edu. For more information, contact the Truman Theatre Box Office at 660.785.4515 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 
Ever wonder why the eternal flame is never on, or what the best on-campus dining option is? University President Sue Thomas answers those questions and more in the first installment of “Tea Time with Sue.”
 
Throughout the school year, President Thomas will answer a handful of submitted questions during each monthly installment of the series. Topics can range from the fun to the serious. Submit questions at truman.edu/teatime for a chance to have them answered on a future episode.

The funds raised during the campaign will stay in the local area. The local programs and services funded by the United Way of Northeast Missouri are among agencies who provide disaster services, meals for senior citizens, bereavement counseling, utility assistance, life skills training, membership assistance for the YMCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, youth tutoring programs and much more. Last year, Truman staff, faculty, students and retired faculty raised a total of $32,716 benefiting 11 agencies. To learn more about the local programs and services that can benefit from donations visit liveunitednemo.org.

There are several ways to donate. Those who receive letters in the mail can donate by sending in a check. Faculty and staff can donate using payroll deduction. Donations can also be made online by visiting bit.ly/unitedNEMO. Students can donate meals from their meal plans and when the campaign ends Sodexo will write a check to United Way.

Storrod is currently an assistant professor of criminal justice at Widener University. She has a Ph.D. in child studies from Rutgers University and a master’s in children, youth and international studies from Birkbeck University. Storrod also has more than a decade of experience working with young people involved in the juvenile justice system in the United Kingdom, and has spent four years volunteering and researching with young people in the United States system.

This seminar will provide students with the opportunity to think and learn about the many pathway’s child studies offers both in and outside of academia at home and abroad.

This event is hosted by the Child Studies Minor and sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Studies Department. All are welcome to attend.

This conference will feature papers from students at Truman and six other universities and on a variety of topics in philosophy and religion. At 1 p.m., alumna Cabell Hankinson Gathman will deliver the keynote address online titled “This is a story about witchcraft: Narrative, social & cultural studies, and the worlds that shape & are shaped by us.”

The conference will be a hybrid-style event with in-person presentations in the Student Union Building Activities Room for local students and non-local students who would like to travel to campus. Zoom will also be available for students who would prefer to attend online. This conference is free and open to the public.

Visit phre.truman.edu and select “Philosophy and Religion Conference” from the left menu for Zoom link and more information.

International speaker and author Dr. Howard E. Fields III will present a two-part conversation focusing on equity in higher education, Nov. 16.

Fields currently serves as an assistant superintendent of human resources and adjunct professor at Harris-Stowe State University.  He is the author of the new book, “How to Achieve Educational Equity,” co-founder of Black Males in Education St. Louis (BMESTL) and EduOpenings.com. His perspective and focus on remaining student-centered, yet equity-focused, along with the ability to create and implement strategic solutions for organizations, has made him a sought-out speaker, writer and consultant. More information about Fields can be found here. Copies of his book will also be available at the event.
 
This two-part conversation will include an interactive workshop focused on “A Practical Approach and Discussion on Educational Equity” from 3-4:30 p.m. with registration required. Following the workshop, an open seat presentation titled “How to Achieve Educational Equity” will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. Both sessions will be in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

This event is sponsored by Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Education Department and Truman’s chapter of the National Education Association.

In individual events for the Missouri Mule, Emma Rohrbach earned junior tournament champion and third place speaker. Ella Schnake placed third in prose interpretation, first in dramatic interpretation and second in impromptu speaking. Larissa Wratney earned third place in dramatic interpretation. Jillian Humke and Wratney also earned first place in duo interpretation. In junior debate, Matt Kruse earned fifth place speaker and Macy Cecil and Parker Rivers finished as quarterfinalists.

For the Dale Carnegie Classic winners included Alicia Stout as second place open debate and second place speaker. Schnake earned first place in impromptu speaking, second place in prose interpretation and second place in dramatic interpretation. Rohrbach placed first in extemporaneous speaking, Wratney placed fourth in dramatic interpretation and Humke placed sixth in prose interpretation. Humke and Wratney earned first place in duo interpretation. Rivers and Kruse earned third place speaker, first place speaker, respectively, and closed out finals in junior debate.

Team awards include third place overall sweepstakes award for the first half of the swing. For the second half, the team earned first place debate sweepstakes, second place individual events sweepstakes and overall first place sweepstakes awards. In combined sweepstakes, Truman earned first place in debate, third place in individual events and second place overall.

Any students interested in joining the Forensics Union should contact Craig Hennigan at chennigan@truman.edu or Ben Davis at bdavis@truman.edu.

Student clubs/organizations, athletic teams and residence halls are eligible to receive a cash award for their group if 85% of the registered members have verified being vaccinated with the University. Cash awards are related to the size of the organization: groups with less than 10 members can earn $50; groups with 10-19 members can earn $100; groups with 20-29 members can earn $200; and groups with 30 or more total members can earn $300.

Club/organization official rosters will determine the total size of the group. Athletic teams will be based on official rosters. Residence halls will be based on student advisor groups.  

While left to the discretion of the organization, the cash award may be used for things such as speakers, events, travel, organization purchases or philanthropic donations.  

For employees, the incentive program includes the possibility of an additional two paid days off. If the University reaches a vaccination rate of 75% among all employees, Nov. 23 will be awarded as a paid day off and offices will be closed. If a rate of 85% is achieved, Nov. 22 would also be awarded.

For students and employees to earn the incentive, vaccination verification must be provided by midnight, Nov. 1.

On-Campus Sessions
Nov. 2
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Applications for Greek Week committee are now available. These applications are for students involved in fraternity and sorority life and are interested in being part of the committee that plans Greek Week. There are multiple positions available such as public relations/court chair, an events chair, a values chair, a philanthropy chair and a lip-sync coordinator. Descriptions of these positions can be found on the Greek Week website along with applications.

The deadline for committee positions is Nov. 3.

The Institute for Academic Outreach is seeking applications for the following academies:

• Joseph Baldwin Academy (June 8-July 3 and/or July 6-31)
• JBA Junior (July 10-15)
• ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy (June 9-18)

Each academy is in search of preceptors for programs ranging from one to three weeks during June and July. Stipends vary based in the length of the program and nature of the work.

To be eligible as a preceptor, applicants must be a Truman student or a May 2022 graduate, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and not be enrolled in summer classes while working in the program. Individuals hired for these programs will also be required to complete a criminal background check, pre-academy trainings and pre-academy orientations.
 
Applications are currently being accepted and will continue until the positions are filled. Information about each available position can be accessed at tiacademies.truman.edu/employment or by emailing Michelle Wilson at mwwilson@truman.edu.

Truman now offers test preparation classes to help students of all ages reach their academic goals.

With courses for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, Praxis Core, SAT and ACT, Truman is northeast Missouri’s leading test prep solution. The University has partnered with Educational Testing Consultants to provide online exam preparation courses as well as free online test strategy sessions for major national graduate and professional school examinations.

“Truman partnered with ETC because of its established reputation for improving student performance on standardized exams,” said Kevin Minch, associate provost. “Many colleges and universities nationwide are using ETC, including some of our Missouri peers.”

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.

The test preparation classes were designed by a team of former standardized-test-item writers and test-preparation experts. All classes include: extensive instruction; experienced, dedicated instructors; comprehensive preparation materials, including actual questions and practice tests from the test-makers; thorough presentations and explanations; flexible schedule options; and access to online support resources.

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

Conference Travel Scholarships are for students presenting the results of their research or creative scholarship at a conference between January and June 2022. 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 spring 2022. 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. Nov. 8. Questions can be emailed to osr@truman.edu.

Communications Disorders (CMDS) Department is hosting a virtual and in-person open house for graduate students.

The virtual open house will take place 1:30-2:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Students who wish to attend will be sent links providing information concerning the CMDS program and a tour of the facilities that is located on the CMDS website. The in-person open house will take place at 1-3:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in Health Science 2203. Refreshments will be served. Students should RSVP to Connie Ikerd at cikerd@truman.edu.

All prospective students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in communication disorders from Truman are invited to attend. Information regarding the CMDS graduate program, the profession, employment opportunities and funding for graduate school will be provided, along with the opportunity to meet faculty, alumni and students of the program.

Homecoming gives the Alumni Association a chance to honor some outstanding graduates and their hard work and tireless service at an awards ceremony. The Association extends its sincere thanks to all the alumni and volunteers who help Truman make a positive impact on communities worldwide.
This year’s Homecoming honorees:
 

• Alum of the Year: Bill “Woody” Woodall
• Distinguished Services: Donna Bailey, Dennis Hohn, Fontaine Piper
• Young Alum of the Year: Hope Harms
• Parade Grand Marshal: John Garlock
• Denise L Smith Volunteer of the Year: JoEllen Engelbart

 
More information on this year’s Dogs of Distinction can be found here.

Junior and senior students could win up to $250 from Truman, and $10,000 nationally, through the Robert L. Gould Scholastic Award competition.

SS&C, a financial technology company, sponsors the annual Robert L. Gould Scholastic Award to recognize outstanding university students who produce academic papers on topics related to investment management strategies, theories and trends. The concept for this year is related to gamification and investments. As technology is explored in everyday lives, how could gamification impact or encourage appropriate investing behaviors and what are the real or potential positive and negative consequences of using gamification in this environment?  

In addition to the national award, the University will offer cash prizes to the top three papers from Truman students. Locally, first place will earn $250, second place will receive $150 and third place will get $100. All three will be submitted to the SS&C for the national competition.

Papers should be submitted to Chuck Boughton, instructor in business administration, at boughton@truman.edu by Jan. 14. Submissions should be in Word format only. Local awards will be announced after the Jan. 31 submission to the Gould judges. For more information email boughton@truman.edu.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be filed now for the 2022-2023 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 students to taking a loan, but it does allow for more options.

The 2022-2023 FAFSA requires students to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For the 2022-2023 FAFSA students will use their 2020 tax information.

It is strongly recommended to apply or renew before Feb. 1, 2022.