Vol. 28 No. 6 - September 25, 2023

The Friday before Labor Day Weekend, visitors to campus may have noticed a bulldog on the mall living his best life – and it wasn’t Spike.

King, an American Bulldog from the Adair County Human Society, played in the fountain, rolled around in the grass and happily greeted everyone who came close enough to give this good boy some pets. King was participating in a “Field Trip Day” to campus thanks to Truman student Sydney Donath of the Pre-Vet Club.

As more time has passed from the pandemic, the Pre-Vet Club has resumed its partnership with the Humane Society. The Field Trip program is a new initiative started in the spring. Club members who have established a relationship with the Humane Society are eligible to take dogs on field trips in an effort to socialize the animals while they wait to find their forever home.
 
“This is an amazing opportunity for the dogs, as it gives them some time out of the shelter environment, while also allowing everyone to see the dog’s true personality or any personality quirks,” said Donath, who is president of the Pre-Vet Club.

Field trips typically consist of club members taking a dog around Kirksville to socialize with the community and see new places. Activities can include walks around campus or Thousand Hills, as well as trips to PetSmart, and sometimes getting a treat at Sonic or Scooter’s Coffee.

Donath, a senior agricultural science major with minors in equine studies, animal science and biology, has been a member of the Pre-Vet Club since her first year at Truman. As president of the organization, she sought to revive some pre-pandemic activities, as well as create new endeavors like the field trips.

“When I became president of the club, it was very important to me and the rest of the executive board that we re-establish the collaboration between the Humane Society and the club,” she said. “My scholarship job is with the Humane Society, so I had an established relationship with the shelter manager, Missy Decker. This is our second semester doing these field trips. It has been a big success as it brings awareness to the Humane Society and the variety of dogs that they currently have.”

In addition to field trips, Pre-Vet Club has helped organize and run an adoption event for the Humane Society animals at PetSmart, and members have helped with fundraising events such as “Pancakes for Pups” and “Pints for Pups.”

“Our relationship with the Pre-Vet Club is vital to our organization,” Decker said. “This is a group of students with the same passion for animals, and also, a new perspective on doing things. Without them programs like Field Trip Days would not be possible.”

Donath said some of her favorite things about collaborating with the Humane Society are connecting with the Truman and Kirksville community and working with a variety of different dogs. That relationship can make a big difference to the animals in the shelter, and King is a perfect example. He found his forever home not long after taking his field trip to campus with Donath.

The Pre-Vet Club will continue to support the Adair Humane Society and their events. The club’s goal this semester is to have more connections with the Truman and Kirksville community. Club events and Humane Society events will be promoted on the organization’s Instagram, @tsuprevetclub.

The Humane Society is always looking for volunteers to help out at the shelter and socialize both cats and dogs on site. Anyone interesting in volunteering their time can contact the shelter at 660.665.8038. For more information about volunteering or donating, visit adairhumanesociety.org. To see animals available for adoption, check out the Adair County Humane Society Facebook page.

As part of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, this internationally acclaimed tribute band will take the stage for a performance spanning songs from the entire Beatles catalog, complete with vintage instruments and outfit changes for an authentic feel.

Hand-picked by Louise Harrison, the sister of the late George Harrison, Liverpool Legends have been headlining their own production in Branson, Missouri, since 2006. They have been voted best new show, best band, best show and they have received the visitors’ choice award for best show. They received national attention as they re-created the Beatles famed 1966 concert at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

In 2012, Liverpool Legends, along with Harrison, were nominated for a Grammy Award for their work on “Fab Fan Memories: The Beatles Bond.” The band has traveled and performed around the world, playing sold out shows in Mexico, India, Israel, Ecuador and England, and at historic venues including the Rose Bowl and Carnegie Hall.

This performance will also include the return of Truman alumnus David Tanner (’95) who portrays Paul McCartney.

Tickets are available starting Sept. 25 and can be picked up on campus in the Union & Involvement Office in the Student Union Building, the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 205 or the Admissions Office in the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center. Tickets are also available downtown at the Kirksville Arts Association.

This season all Kohlenberg Lyceum Series events are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, the Friends of the Lyceum program and the Truman State University Foundation. Friends of the Lyceum receive exclusive benefits including reserved seating, special parking and a commemorative gift of the season based on the level of their donation.

For more information, visit lyceum.truman.edu or call 660.785.4128.

Truman Theatre’s first production of the year will be “12 Angry Jurors” and will run nightly at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28-30 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Severns Theater.

When a person’s life is at stake, what constitutes reasonable doubt becomes the most important question. In “12 Angry Jurors,” adapted by Sherman L. Sergel, personalities clash, tempers flare and the clock ticks as 12 people try to come to a unanimous verdict in a murder trial. This tense and enlightening story pits reason against passion, bigotry against fact, and callousness against caring until the very end. Is a young man guilty of murder and deserving of death, or is there a reasonable doubt?

Tickets for this play, directed by Jonathan Wehmeyer, can be purchased by visiting boxoffice.truman.edu. For more questions, email the box office at boxoffice@truman.edu.

The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium will participate in a global short film festival that will allow attendees to vote for their favorite picture.

Manhattan Short 2023 will screen a worldwide lineup of films linked by a common theme: how we face adversity, whether it is imposed by others or arises from personal circumstances. The 10 featured films are dramatic, sometimes humorous, occasionally magical and always inspirational.

The planetarium is one of more than 500 locations around the world to participate in the screenings. The 10 films range in running time from eight to 18 minutes. There will be four opportunities to watch, with the planetarium hosting screenings from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 29, Sept. 30, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.

All 10 films will be screened at every showing, and attendees will be allowed to vote for Best Film and Best Actor. There is no cost to attend the festival.

The finalists hail from seven countries with films from Australia, Afghanistan, Finland, Iran, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada alongside three films from the United States.

“Sunless”
U.S.
Trapped in the confines of a tiny submarine, two men disagree on how to navigate a potentially perilous issue with their vessel.

“Voice Activated”
Australia
A florist with a stutter is forced to cooperate with a voice-activated car on the way to an important delivery.

“Yellow”
U.K./Afghanistan
In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a woman walks into a chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full-body veil and face an uncertain future.

“Tuulikki”
Finland
When a young woman dominated by an over-protective mother plots her escape, their relationship dissolves into one of mutual suspicion.

“The Family Circus”
U.S.
A Vietnamese-American family’s plan to cover up a drunk-driving incident begins to unravel when their emotional baggage spills out in front of the police.

“Career Day”
U.S.
A once promising ’90s pop star and his aging boy band reunite for his daughter’s elementary school Career Day. They go viral.

“Snail”
Iran
A loving mother strives to make her young son’s singing dreams come true, but an audition takes a dramatic, unforeseen turn.

“The Record”
Switzerland
An antique musical instrument dealer obsessively plays a magical vinyl record that “reads your mind and plays your lost memories.” Even the forgotten ones.

“Stupid Boy”
U.K.
In London, a broken man groomed for a terrorist attack confronts a local lad who sees things differently. That can be dangerous.

“Soliel Du Nuit”
Canada
While training for a moon landing, a group of Canadian astronauts are tasked with an added mission by a Native American elder.

Truman alumnus Brendan O ‘Brien will present an author talk and discussion at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 in Baldwin Little Theatre.

O’Brien will discuss his book “Homesick: Why Housing is Unaffordable and How We Can Change It.” “Homesick” discusses how across the country a level of unaffordable housing that once seemed unique to global cities like New York and San Francisco has become the norm with nearly a third of all U.S. households considered housing cost burdened.

In his career, O’Brien has worked for federal public land management agencies in California, Montana and New Mexico. In addition to being a writer, he works as a guide in Northern Arizona.

The Truman State University Board of Governors is beginning the search for its next student representative.

The Board of Governors is the University’s highest policy making body, charged with the important role of setting policy and providing guidance for the University. The student representative is a non-voting member of the board who voices student interests and opinions relating to issues the board votes on.

Information on how to apply can be found at senate.truman.edu/application, or by reading through the application packet here. All applications will be due electronically to studentgovernment@truman.edu by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 27. Any questions can be directed to Ella Schnake, the current student representative, at ers6535@truman.edu.

The 33rd Annual Philosophy and Religion Conference will take place Nov. 11 in Baldwin Hall 114.

Students can now submit papers to be featured at the conference. The submission deadline is Oct. 9. Papers from any area of philosophy and/or religion are welcome. This may include fields such as classics, anthropology and others. Papers should be no longer than 25 minutes reading time (approximately eight-10 pages).

Papers should be submitted to Dereck Daschke, professor of philosophy and religion, with the subject line: Undergraduate Philosophy and Religion Conference. Students should separate all identifying information, including name and school, from the body of the paper in either format – include this information only in the body of the email. The title of the paper should be listed in both documents.

The expo is open to students of all majors and academic levels. This event is hosted by the Career Center twice a year as a way to help students prepare for graduate school, internships and job searches. The expo provides a chance for students to meet with a large number of representatives from businesses, non-profits, government, and graduate and professional schools.

The week will begin Sept. 25 with the chance for students to have their professional documents critiqued from 5-6 p.m. in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. A personal statement workshop, hosted by Dave Lusk, associate vice president for career development, will take place from 5-6 p.m. Sept. 26 in the Student Union Building Activities Room.

From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 27 the Graduate School Expo will take place. This is an opportunity for those thinking of pursing graduate studies to connect with their future school. The Career and Internship Expo will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 28. There students will get to talk to several employers visiting campus. Both expo events will take place in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Students will also have the opportunity to have professional pictures taken by Tim Barcus, campus photographer, from 11 a.m.- 3p.m. in the Student Union Building Alumni Room both expo days.

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 register. 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.

Professional Document Critique
5-6 p.m.
Sept. 25
Personal Statement Workshop with Dave Lusk
5-6 p.m.
Sept. 26
Student Union Building Activities Room

Graduate School Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Student Union Building Georgian Rooms
Sept. 27

Career and Internship Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Student Union Building Georgian Rooms
Sept. 28

Alumni, family and friends are invited to attend the Bulldog Forever Homecoming tailgate before the football game, Oct. 21.

People who reserve a tailgate spot in advance will be granted early access to the tailgate lot and admitted ahead of the post-parade crowd. Those who wish to reserve a spot can register here. All requests must be approved by Alumni Relations. Review the Homecoming Tailgate Policies prior to the event.

Spaces will be reserved for requests submitted by Oct. 6. Non-reserved space at the tailgate will be first-come, first-served at the event. For any questions email bulldogforever@truman.edu.

This course introduces students to strategic communication and its influences on public opinion, within the culture of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will look at a variety of communication methods, including traditional and new media, as well as visual rhetoric, and the purpose and impact of those communication efforts. Click here for more information.

The Missouri Government Internship Program is open to all majors and provides students with the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in the fast-paced world of state politics. Selected interns will work as full-time staff assistants with a legislator or state public official. By interning at the Missouri Capitol, students will expand their knowledge of state government, build a diversified professional network and establish a basis for future professional positions.

Many former interns have gone on to serve as legislative directors, chiefs of staff, judicial clerks, policy analysts, lobbyists and public officials as a direct result of what they learned and the connections they made as interns.

The varying daily tasks throughout each office could include attending public hearings, completing legislative research, writing and editing published materials, constituent relations or assisting with basic office work.

Interns will receive a monthly stipend to help pay expenses and 15 hours of Truman credit. Interested students can click here for more information.

“Taking Flight: Building a Career You Love” will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 in Violette Hall 1010.

This panel discussion features current Boeing employees who graduated from Truman. The panelists include: Jill Graftenreed, director of sustainable operations and reporting; Lauren Nelle, senior supply chain manager; Emma Kuntz, virtual agent product manager; and Kaitlin LePage, sustainability analyst.

At this event panelists will share about their career journeys and their transition from student life to working life. They will also answer any questions students may have about Boeing, the dynamic business environment or personal and professional development. After the discussion at 5 p.m., pizza and refreshments will be available.

These committees ultimately decide how the fees students pay are spent. AFAC focuses on the athletic fee which includes varsity and club athletics as well as the recreation center. ESFAC focuses on the Environmental Sustainability Fee and OAF focuses on how fee-based groups such as SAB, StuGov, FAC, AFAC and ESFAC spend money.

There are student-at-large positions open on every committee, as well as more niche roles. Applications close Oct. 15 with interviews taking place the week of Oct. 15 and 22. To apply, visit senate.truman.edu/application.

The 13th annual Communications Disorders conference will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Student Union Building Activities Room.

Hosted by the Truman Communication Disorders Association (CoDA) and the Communication Disorders program, this event is a workshop for speech-language pathologists, general education teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists and anyone interested in learning about phonological processing. This year’s conference will feature alumna Jennie Bjorem M.A., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist, childhood apraxia of speech and phonological processing, as the keynote speaker.

Bjorem’s passion and area of expertise is in childhood apraxia of speech. She travels the world speaking on the topic of CAS assessment and intervention. Bjorem has been in private practice for 21 years and continues to carry a small caseload of clients with childhood apraxia of speech. She is the owner of Bjorem Speech and Bjorem Literacy as well as the author of “Bjorem Speech Sound Cues.” She currently lives with her family in the mountains of Colorado.

Bjorem’s first talk of the day from 8:45-10:15 a.m. will focus on “Dynamic Assessment of CAS.” Her second talk will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on “Target Selection & Goal Writing.” The conference will end with her discussion on “Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches” from 1-3 p.m.

A registration fee of $75 for professionals and $20 for students will be collected at the door. RSVP here or email coda.tsu@gmail.com.

Individuals are inundated with information from a variety of sources every minute of every day.  Someone is always trying to get your attention in Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Facebook, text messages, email and the list goes on…

For this reason (among others) Truman landed on utilizing the University’s email system as the official form of communication. While information may be shared using other social media streams, email is the common tool everyone is asked to pay attention to.

For students, ITS recommends checking University email at least once a day at a minimum, but checking at least twice should ensure something important is not missed (especially something that might be a reminder of a course deadline or something new from a professors). This can be as simple as setting aside some time everyday around the same time to view what’s in your inbox, to taking advantage of email client settings on how to display and get notifications about newly received email.

Because many University operations rely on digital communication, ITS recommends faculty and staff check University email at least three times per day, recognizing this could be a much higher (or in some cases lower) number depending on the employee’s role at the University.

All students in need of financial assistance are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of financial aid for college students in the United States.

Normally, this process opens in October, however, this year the Department of Education is in the process of simplifying the FAFSA. As a result, applications are not expected to open until December 2023 at a date to be determined.

Changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA process will include a reduction in the number of questions, as well as required consent to import tax information. Students should be prepared to complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available in order to determine Title IV federal aid eligibility (Pell Grant, SEOG, TEACH, Work Study, Stafford Direct Loans, PLUS Loan). FAFSA results are also needed for some other federal, state, University and private programs.

Details about the FAFSA can be found online at studentaid.gov. The 2024-25 FAFSA will use 2022 tax year information with a priority deadline of Feb. 1 for Missouri residents.

Truman’s Financial Aid Office is currently working on details of when aid offers will be available for students. This year it will most likely be March for incoming freshmen and April for current students.          

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 660.785.4130 or finaid@truman.edu. The Financial Aid Office website also has a variety of helpful resources for students and their families.