Vol. 27 No. 16 - December 12, 2022

Nursing students spend many hours in lectures and clinicals learning skills for the future, but one class in particular gives them the chance to make an impact Kirksville and surrounding communities.

In the Rural and Public Health Nursing course taught by Nola Martz, assistant professor of nursing, students complete a rotation at a local health department and another at a local school. Health departments in Adair, Knox, Schuyler and Sullivan counties, along with schools in Brookfield, Green City, Kirksville, Milan and Scotland County, are just a few of the places the University has partnered with where students can complete these clinical hours. During rotations, students will assist with patient assessments, immunizations, injections, health screenings, vision and hearing screenings, administer medications, wound care and much more.

“The students get to see first hand all of the beneficial services local health departments provide, and that the school health nurse role is much more than ‘ice packs and band-aids,’” Martz said. “They also get a population focused perspective on the challenges these communities face in reaching their health potential.”

During fall 2022, students helped at the school health fairs for Scotland and Brookfield and immunization clinics for Green City and Milan, as well as vision and dental screenings for Ray Miller Elementary and Kirksville Primary. Students also helped at flu clinics in Adair, Knox, Schuyler and Sullivan counties.

“Preceptors and patients often comment on the professionalism exhibited by our students, as well as how well prepared they are for their clinical rotations,” Martz said. “Some students have helped innovate efficient ways to organize clinics and have served as extenders of those facilities’ workforce where they have limited resources to have full time staff.”

As an example, when COVID-19 vaccines became available student nurses in the Rural Public Health class filled roughly 70 volunteer vaccinator positions to assist local public health departments in five counties covering 36 outreach clinics in 67 days to vaccinate more than 10,000 residents of northeast Missouri. Without these students, the burden on the local vaccine providers would have been such that they simply did not have a sufficient workforce to accomplish this.

Through these experiences, students gain an understanding of the importance in looking at patients not just as a diagnosis in front of them, but also considering what their story may be and what kind of resources they have available. In addition to gaining valuable work experience, the students are able to make a positive impact at the locations where their clinicals are completed.

A communication major at Truman, Nesbitt has gained practical experience in her field by running social media accounts for the Student Recreation Center and the Office of Admission. She also runs an Instagram account dedicated to her two cats. In her free time, Nesbitt enjoys making pumpkin cake cookies and participating in service events through Alpha Phi Omega, an organization that also includes President Thomas as a member.

The entire podcast conversation can be found on the Truman Spotify channel. Follow Truman on social media for video excerpts from “Tea Time with Sue.” The complete video is also posted on the Truman YouTube channel.

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. New episodes will be announced in the Truman Today as they become available. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

A total of 22 Truman fall athletes were recognized by the College Sports Communicators to the Academic All-District team.

Student-athletes in the sports of men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball and football that possessed a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average, were a starter or key reserve and in their second season of competition were eligible for the honor. In addition, this season, each sport was capped at a number of nominations by each school.

Academic All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot with a first, second and third team honor roll voted upon by CSC members in December.

Athletes that were honored were from football were Taylor Cornish, Tate Crane, Dane Eggert, Kendall Hutchison, Jacob McCollum, Ben Miller, Casey Voichahoske and Justin Watson.

Hanna Berry, Monica Brown, Rachel DeFries and Molly McGurn were honored from volleyball.

Athletes honored from men’s soccer were Collin Buss, Dominic DeProspero, Jack Knust and Sam Newton.

Cassidy Gann, Casey Hansen, Jessica Kozol, Emmie McConnell, Olivia Morris and Kirsten Weber were honored from women’s soccer.

For more information about the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Academic All-America Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

The fall commencement ceremony to honor graduates will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 17 in Pershing Arena.

Allison Duncan, a bachelor of fine arts in creative writing and bachelor of arts in psychology candidate, will be the student speaker.

Alumna Dusty Folwarczny will give the commencement address. A native of Winfield, Missouri, Folwarczny earned her BFA in sculpture from Truman in 2003 and made her way to Chicago in 2006 to establish her sculpting practice and work in management consulting.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. for seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. Guests are asked to use the main entrance on the west side of the building. Graduates, faculty members and those who need to utilize handicapped parking spaces can use the east entrance. Restroom facilities are accessible on the arena level by the east stairs.

For those who cannot attend in person, livestreams will be available on YouTube and Facebook. More information can be found here.

Preceptors are needed for the following academies:

• Joseph Baldwin Academy (June 7 - July 1 and/or July 5 - 29)
• JBA Junior (July 16 - 21)
• ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy (June 23 - 30)

The Institute for Academic Outreach is seeking applications for each academy 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 2023 graduate, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and not have outside commitments while working for the program(s). Individuals hired for these programs will also be required to complete a criminal background check, pre-academy trainings and pre-academy orientations.

“To me, the best thing about JBA is the connections you make,” said Holly Peters, former preceptor. “The lasting friendships and memories I’ve made over the years have truly been what keeps me coming back each year.”

Applications are currently being accepted, interviews will take place in February. Information about each available position can be accessed at Institute for Academic Outreach Summer Employment or by emailing Michelle Wilson at mwwilson@truman.edu.

Applications are now being accepted for summer internships at the following locations in Missouri:

•    Independence: Harry Truman Presidential Library (full-time, 9 credits)
•    Kansas City: National World War I Museum (part-time, 4 credits)
•    Kirksville: Judicial Archives Project (part-time, 4 credits)
•    Olathe, KS: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop-Farm (part-time, 4 credits)
•    St. Joseph: St. Joseph Museums (part-time, 4 credits)
•    St. Louis: Field House Museum (part-time, 4 credits), Missouri History Museum (part-time, 4 credits), Mercantile Library (part-time, 4 credits)
•    Springfield: MSU Special Collections and Archive (part-time, 4 credits)

The summer internships are open to all Truman students and are especially relevant for those considering careers in archives, museums and teaching. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until all positions are filled. Email jasonmcd@truman.edu to find out what the internships entail and how to apply.

The Office of Admission is looking for orientation leaders to welcome and introduce all first-year students and their families to Truman during summer orientations. Orientation allows students to enroll in classes, discuss transitional issues with current students and staff and begin to make friends at Truman.

Applications are due Dec. 14. Applications and full job description can be found at truman.edu/ol. Contact Michaela Elsbernd, orientation leader coordinator, with any questions.

Residence Life is looking for students who will create welcoming environments, develop connections with students and foster a learning-centered community to apply as student advisors for the 2023-2024 school year. Student advisors will have their room and meal fees fully covered.

Anyone enrolled in classes, has lived on campus for at least one semester once employed and maintained a 2.75 GPA, is qualified to apply. The application is open now until Jan. 20. Visit reslife.truman.edu or email reslife@truman.edu for more information.

9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dec. 12-14

9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dec. 15-16

Closed

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available Jan. 17.