Vol. 27 No. 21 - February 13, 2023

The expo is open to students of all majors and academic levels. This event gives students the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional development activities.

To learn more, or to register for these events, go to hiretruman.truman.edu then to Student/Alumni Login followed by events, career fairs and select career fair of choice. Click on attend in the upper right corner of the page to formally sign up. With any questions regarding times or function of the event, go to career.truman.edu/career-grad-school-week/schedule-of-events or email the Career Center at ucc3@truman.edu. These events will be accessed from #HireTruman.

This event is in conjunction with the 54th Annual Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival, taking place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.

Truman will soon offer interdisciplinary degree programs in environmental sciences and cannabis and natural medicinals in an effort to meet the demands of emerging career fields.

The environmental science program explores a field of study with rising student interest that leverages existing areas of expertise on campus. Students in the major will develop skillsets to address environmental problems such as biodiversity loss, resource use and the cascading effects of climate change through scientific inquiry. In addition, students will explore the interface between the scientific information about environmental issues and public awareness of and engagement with those issues.

The content of the environmental sciences major complements the ENVS minor, which is focused on broadly evaluating how people and the environment interact, as well as using information produced by environmental scientists to drive policy decisions, public outreach or advocacy campaigns, and environmental education initiatives.

With the widespread, state-level decriminalization and legalization of cannabis in the United States, the cannabis industry, including cultivation and processing of secondary compounds, is expanding, resulting in an increased demand for trained and knowledgeable employees. Students in the cannabis and natural medicinals program, will explore multiple aspects of naturally occurring (i.e., non-synthetic) chemical compounds and their uses as therapeutics in traditional and holistic medicinal practices. Additionally, the use of traditional medicines, including compounds such as essential oils and natural hallucinogens, has cultural and historical significance, and their use is increasing in a variety of traditional and modern medical applications. The four options within the major allow students to choose the area of study – cultivation, analytical science, society and philosophy, or business and entrepreneurship – that best suits their career goals.

Students will be able to pursue these degree programs starting in fall 2023.

 
University President Sue Thomas welcomed Jamie D’Agostino, professor of English, for a recent episode of “Tea Time with Sue.”

Now in his 16th year at Truman, D’Agostino is known for his creative writing courses where some of his unique techniques for sparking creativity have even found their way into the JBA classes he teaches to middle school students in the summer.

D’Agostino discussed how he likes to venture into nature to find inspiration for his own work, including a rural cemetery he visited once, but had trouble finding a second time. He recently published his second full-length collection of poetry, “The Goldfinch Caution Tapes,” which won the Anthony Hecht Prize. It is available from Amazon and Weywiser Press.

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. Follow Truman on social media for video excerpts from “Tea Time with Sue.”

Admission to all concerts is free and tickets are not required.

The School of Business will host its inaugural Tru-Biz Forum from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 23 in Violette Hall 1000.

The Tru-Biz Forum invites business leaders in a variety of fields to share their expertise and insights. The upcoming forum focuses on international business-related topics with renowned international business experts, including Dr. William Newburry (’87), Ryder Eminent Scholar of Global Business at Florida International University, and Ryan Murphy, CFO at Nidec Americas Holding Corporation. The event moderator will be Truman student Amanda Smith, international business and Spanish major.

Murphy is a native of Kirksville and established the Ryan Murphy Accounting Scholarship. He currently works at Nidec, a Japanese global company with about 300 subsidiaries across the world. He oversees all facets of the corporate tax, accounting and treasury functions and leads financial planning efforts surrounding complex corporate transactions.

Newburry is a chair of the Department of International Business and is also a non-resident senior research fellow at the Nanyang Business School Center for Emerging Markets and a fellow of the Academy of International Business. His research focuses on how multinational corporations manage and relate to subsidiaries and other local stakeholders when they invest in foreign countries, with a particular emphasis on reputation issues.

All students, faculty, staff and local business people are welcome for inspiration and learning with the renowned speakers. Networking will follow the forum. On Feb. 24, panelists will meet students and present to classes.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts for the 2023 Student Research Conference that will take place April 27.

Complete abstract guidelines are posted on the Office of Student Research website. Inquiries about the Student Research Conference can be directed to the Office of Student Research at osr@truman.edu.

The nomination form for the 2023 Leadership Recognition Program is now open.

This program is designed to honor Truman students, advisors and organizations for their dedication to their peers, campus and Kirksville community through various leadership roles during the academic year. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate exceptional student leaders, advisors, organizations and events on campus, particularly candidates whose achievements stood out after a year of constant adaptation to change.

The access link to the nomination form and packet can be found online at involvement.truman.edu/lrp. Nomination forms are due by 5 p.m. March 20.

Phi Kappa Tau will be selling impatiens, daisies and carnations in hand-painted pots for Valentine’s Day. Impatiens and daisies will be $5, and carnations will be $6.

Plants can be purchased from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 14 in Ophelia Parrish. Pre-orders are currently being accepted online.

Everyone who buys one gets their flower type of choice in a painted pot. The daisies will be white and the others are red, pink and white when they bloom.

Proceeds will support Phi Kappa Tau’s philanthropy, SeriousFun Children’s Network, which offers free recreational experiences to seriously ill children.

The Office of Admission is looking for enthusiastic student leaders with a passion for sharing their Truman experience.

Applications are open for student ambassadors for the 2023-24 academic year. Student ambassadors guide visiting students and their families on campus tours, assist in the recruitment of prospective students and positively represent the University.
 
Scholarship, work-study and volunteer opportunities are available. Institutional positions are available, but limited. Applications can be found online and are due by 8 p.m. Feb. 15.

This year’s Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Missouri will take place in Kirksville Feb. 25, and all members of the campus community are welcome to participate with the University team.

This “unbearable” event is a unique opportunity for participants to show their bravery as they support local Special Olympics athletes by walking, running or crawling into the frigid winter waters Missouri has to offer. Kirksville’s Polar Plunge will take place at the Thousand Hills State Park beach area.

President Sue Thomas will be taking the plunge and leading the team. All students, faculty, staff and friends of the University are invited to participate. To register for the Truman team, click here, then “Register” and “Join a Team.” In keeping with this year’s theme, the Truman team name is the Disco Dogs. Participants must be at least 10 years old and raise a minimum of $75 each by event day. A registration fee of $10 is due at the time of registration, which does go toward the $75 fundraising minimum.

Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The Office of Student Research is accepting TruScholars proposals for research and creative scholarship conducted during the eight-week summer term, June 5-July 28.

During the program, students should devote full-time effort to their project and faculty mentors should be continuously available for consultation and collaboration. Grant applications may request up to a maximum value of $5,750, including a $3,500 max student stipend and $1,750 max mentor stipend.

Complete guidelines for the TruScholars applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due Feb. 15. Questions can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

Feb. 28
President Sue Thomas will give an address at 3 p.m., followed by Mini Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW) session. The Mini SPAW will include the annual All-University Address, this year entitled “A Tale of Tails,” which will be followed by a hot-takes session focusing on strategic plan and key University initiative updates.

Rush Party 1
Last names A-M: 1-2:30 p.m.
Last names N-Z: 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Feb. 18
Student Union Building Alumni Room

Rush Party 2
Last names A-M: 5:30-7 p.m.
Last names N-Z: 7:30-9 p.m.
Feb. 22
Magruder 1000

Rush Party 3 (Invite only)
1-3 p.m.
Feb. 25

Applications for Homecoming 2023 are now available. The positions open are director, public relations coordinator, event coordinator, philanthropy coordinator, lip sync coordinator and ceremony coordinator. Position descriptions can be found here. The deadline to apply is Feb. 19. Contact homecoming@truman.edu for any further questions.

Phi Sigma Pi is a gender inclusive, national honor fraternity.

Info Night
7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Feb. 20
Magruder Hall 2050

Fellowship Night
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21
Magruder 2050

Scholarship Night
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22
Magruder Hall 2090

Leadership Night (Invite only)
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23
Magruder Hall 2090

Game Night (Invite only)
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24
Magruder Hall 2090

In conjunction with mathleague.org, Truman will host a Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics qualifying contest for elementary and middle school students on campus Feb. 25.

This contest is designed to be a learning experience. New problems are introduced at every contest, and students are allowed to keep their test questions and completed answer sheets. Solutions will be provided to all problems at the conclusion of the contest.

As the largest network of local and state math competitions at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the United States and abroad, mathleague.org runs more than 400 contests globally and reaches more than 30,000 students each year.

To register for the contest, complete the mathleague.org membership form for the student’s school at mathleague.org/membership.php. Once completed, registration for the Truman event can be done here.

There is a $10 per student registration fee. Payment can be made via credit or PayPal as part of the registrations process. Alternatively, payments can be made by check, made out to MCTM, and can either be mailed to Tony Vazzana, Department of Mathematics, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501, or presented at check-in on contest day.

Lunch will be provided for student participants, compliments of the Truman Department of Mathematics.

The contest will take place in Violette Hall starting at 8:45 a.m., Feb. 25. Lunch begins at 11:45 a.m. with the awards ceremony at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Vazzana at tvazzana@truman.edu or visit mathleague.org.

Beta Alpha Psi will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sessions from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 25 in Violette Hall 1424.

Clients who come to VITA should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earnings statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available. VITA services will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return.

Appointments are required. Call 660.785.6064 to schedule. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

The Truman State University Foundation Spring 2023 Foundation Scholarship applications will be available to apply for Feb. 14. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Student Tools, Scholarships, Financial Aid & Loans then Foundation Scholarship Application. Students can submit and revise their application online at any time prior to the deadline of March 10. These scholarships are available thanks to the private gifts of alumni and friends of the University.

The open course list for summer can be viewed on TruView now, with registration opening March 22. Courses are available in a variety of options, including online, hybrid and in-person delivery methods. The flexibility of summer courses provides students the opportunity to have a job, take a vacation or socialize with friends back home.

With six separate terms throughout the summer, students have multiple options to fit their needs. Interim classes run May 13-27. The first round of five-week courses, as well as 10-week courses, begin May 30, while the second round of five-week courses begins July 3. An eight-week session begins June 5. The August interim runs from July 29-Aug. 12. For more information visit summer.truman.edu.

Students are encouraged to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible for the 2023-24 school year. Financial aid packages for the coming school year will be available in April for currently enrolled students.

In celebration of Financial Aid Awareness Month, the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103 will have free candy available. Students are encouraged to visit the office and discuss any questions they may have about financial aid. Along with processing the FAFSA to determine federal, state and some University funds, the office provides information about scholarship service and renewal for returning students. They can also help with private scholarship check processing, funding for study abroad or summer school, budgeting, financial literacy or loan counseling.

For more information, visit the Financial Aid Office website, call 660.785.4130 or email finaid@truman.edu.

Students interested in living on campus during the 2023-2024 school year can now make arrangements to do so.

Living on campus provides easy access to campus amenities, as well as built-in fun and friendship. Researchers have found living on campus improves the likelihood a student will persist in college and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree. Residence Life has several options for students who want to live on campus including single residence hall rooms, apartments and suites for up to four roommates.

Housing renewal applications are currently open on TruView. Under the “Student” tab, click on “Student Housing/Residence Life.” There, students will be able to complete their application to prepare for room self-selection in February. Students will need to have a completed housing application and deposit on file before they can self-select a room. For questions about the housing renewal process visit truman.edu/residence-life or contact Residence Life at 660.785.4227 or reslife@truman.edu.

The deadline to submit a nomination form is Feb. 24. Email sab5631@truman.edu with any questions.

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

•    Independence: Harry Truman Presidential Library (full-time)
•    Kansas City: National World War I Museum (part-time)
•    St. Joseph: St. Joseph Museums (part-time)
•    St. Louis: Field House Museum (part-time), Missouri History Museum (part-time), Mercantile Library (part-time)
•    Springfield: MSU Special Collections and Archive (part-time)

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.

QPR is being offered to faculty and staff from 3-4 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Refreshments will be provided.  To attend, sign-up here. 

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.

Quality Matters - Missouri System’s First Annual Member Conference will take place virtually from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Feb. 24.

The keynote speaker Dr. Catherine Ford, program director for educational development at Minnesota State, will speak about “Empathy by Design: Intentional Integration into the Structure of Your Online Course.” Dr. Bethany Simunich, director of research and innovation at Quality Matters, will also speak about how the QM standards support interaction and engagement in online learning.

There will be a virtual brunch with 10-minute presentations on “Using Online Discussion Platforms to Create Belonging and Engagement” by Amber Bell at Lincoln University, “Mastery Paths in Canvas as a Remediation Tool” by Kate Foster at St. Charles Community College and “Engaging Students Though Anonymous Participation Opportunities” by Elizabeth Dorssom at Lincoln University.

The conference is free to all system members. The inaugural theme is “Humanizing, Belonging and Engaging in Online Learning.” To register visit the QM Missouri System Member Conference website. A confirmation email will be sent after registering and a second email will be sent one week before the conference with Zoom links to the sessions. Questions can be emailed to dianer@truman.edu.

The ATSU Area Health Education Center is hosting a Living a Healthy Life event every Monday night at 6 p.m. through March 6 via Zoom. This free workshop is ideal for people with ongoing health conditions or who care for someone with an ongoing condition. Participants will receive a “Living a Health Life with Chronic Conditions” book and a “Relaxation for the Mind and Body” CD. Register by calling 660.626.2887 or by emailing cht@atsu.edu. A workshop Zoom link will be emailed upon registration.

Gifted Education
3:30 p.m.
March 30
Register here.

Every Friday there will be free testing available for Covid-19, RSV and Influenza available on campus. A drive-through clinic will be sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services in the parking lot at the corner of S. First and W. Randolph streets from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Testing is provided free of charge and is open to all. For more information, contact the Adair County Health Department at 660.665.8491.

The COPLAC Board of Directors, in memory of the contributions of David J. Prior to the advancement of the consortium and to student success in the public liberal arts sector, are sponsoring the second annual student essay prize in his name.

The David J. Prior COPLAC Award recognizes two senior-level undergraduates whose academic careers and future goals have been shaped by the transformative power of the liberal arts and sciences experience at a COPLAC institution. Each student’s reflective personal essay will highlight one or more of the following features of COPLAC’s student-centered approach to teaching: emphasis on active learning; ethical reasoning; interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge; community engagement; critical and reflective skills; and connections between liberal learning and informed, active citizenship. Essays should focus on the value of a public liberal arts education and avoid multiple references to the particular virtues of one’s home institution.  

David Prior’s career-long commitment to superior undergraduate teaching, his desire as a consortium leader to make the outcomes of an education at our public liberal arts institutions widely recognized, and his deep concern that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, have equal access to a high-quality education anchored in the liberal arts and sciences, will be reflected in each of the prize-winning essays.

All submissions should be sent via email attachment to bailey@coplac.com no later than March 1.

Chebolu was awarded “Top 10 Presentations” and “Top Bulletin Board – Diversity and Social Justice.” Cork was awarded “Top Bulletin Board – Alcohol and Drug Education.” As a team the Truman received the "Most Spirited” award throughout the whole conference.

Blanton-Nason-Brewer and Dobson Hall director Lia Walz led the delegation. Kate Justis also attended the conference.

The Truman State University Foundation Spring 2023 Foundation Scholarship applications will be available to apply for Feb. 14. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Student Tools, Scholarships, Financial Aid & Loans then Foundation Scholarship Application. Students can submit and revise their application online at any time prior to the deadline of March 10. These scholarships are available thanks to the private gifts of alumni and friends of the University.

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' 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 scholarship is up to $5,000 per year and renewable for a total of three years.

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. Applications should be submitted online through Scholarship Central. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 660.785.4130 for more information. The application deadline is April 15.