Vol. 28 No. 19 - January 29, 2024

In honor of National Pizza Day, Feb. 9, students are invited to attend Spike’s Annual Pizza Bowl for free pizza and a chance to vote for the best pizza in town.

Pizza Bowl will pit local vendors in competition for the students’ choice of the best overall pizza in Kirksville. From 2-4 p.m. in the Student Union Building Georgian Room, students can stop by for free samples from all participating local vendors. Voting will take place on Truman’s Instagram, and students will be eligible for prizes. Other giveaways, including Spike’s Annual Pizza Bowl stickers, will also be available at the event.      

The winning business will receive a pizza trophy. Follow Truman’s Instagram, @trumanstate, for updates and information on how to vote.

Madelaine Anderson will speak from 12-12:50 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Doug & Diane Villhard Innovation Lab located in the Pickler Memorial Library, as part of the TRU-Entrepreneur Speaker Series.

Anderson is the co-founder and creative director of Talus Films, a video production company that creates original documentary content and impactful films for purpose-driven brands. A 2011 graduate of the University, Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater. Her diverse background includes project management, producing, podcasting, professional acting, production design, aerial silks and a life-long passion for storytelling.

Alongside her film work, Anderson hosts “The Wild We Share,” a podcast fostering connection and stewardship outdoors. An avid lover of being outside, she enjoys hiking, camping, backpacking and traveling with her family. After more than a decade in Chicago, she now resides in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her husband, daughter and black lab.

In an effort to support and develop leaders across campus, the University has created the Truman Leadership Academy for faculty and staff.

Now in its second offering, the Truman Leadership Academy is co-facilitated by Jonathan Vieker, assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness and assessment, and Tim Walston, dean of the School of Science and Mathematics. Through readings, class discussions and visits with senior leadership, participants strengthen their leadership skills while building a community together.

“Leadership training programs are common in the business world, but less common in higher education where new leaders must often ‘learn by doing.’ TLA ensures leaders have the support they need,” Vieker said.

During the semester-long program, participants read and discuss John Maxwell’s “The 5 Levels of Leadership,” hear guest presentations from President Sue Thomas and members of the Executive Leadership Team, discuss leadership challenges and opportunities, and take part in conversations around emerging trends and complex issues in higher education.

“The people who participate will be given tools to enable them to be stronger leaders. This can help them stand out and make a difference at the University,” Walston said. “The University benefits by having stronger leaders in positions across campus and by having a pipeline of individuals who are able and willing to step into future positions to serve the campus. Professional development of our current employees demonstrates an investment in making them into stronger professionals.”

Members of the president’s Executive Leadership Team – comprised of the University vice presidents and a few other key positions – are asked to nominate two individuals from their areas to participate in each Truman Leadership Academy session. Interested individuals should let their dean or supervisor know they would like to participate in the program. The Truman 101 class for employees is a suggested prerequisite for the Truman Leadership Academy.

Those who choose to participate in the program will be able to strengthen their leadership capacities in areas like collaboration, decision-making and problem-solving. They will also join a community of leaders from across campus and help develop leadership skills in others.

“The Truman Leadership Academy was an excellent opportunity to interact with other faculty and staff leaders on campus,” said Eric Dickson, associate professor of music and one of the members of the inaugural cohort. “Through lively discussions, we developed a greater understanding of what it means to be a leader, how leadership differs from management, and how to best apply leadership skills within a Truman context. I encourage anyone interested in growing their leadership skills to participate.”

For the University, the program offers professional development for employees, and it reflects elements of a liberal arts education.

“The TLA is partially about acknowledging that we’re all students, at every step of our careers. There’s always more to learn,” Vieker said. “It’s also a chance for Truman to showcase its culture of lifelong learning, and the TLA participants are examples of that culture embodied.”

For more information about the Truman Leadership Academy, including questions regarding participation, contact Vieker or Walston.

Beta Alpha Psi will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sessions from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 23 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 and will be available to schedule beginning Feb. 1. Truman students can make appointments online. Truman staff and community members must call 660.785.6064 to schedule. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

Students are encouraged to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible for the 2024-25 school year.

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.

The History Department will host an informational event on summer museum and archive internships at 5 p.m. Jan. 31 in Baldwin Hall 212. The summer internships are open to all Truman students, but they are especially relevant for those considering careers in archives, museums and teaching.

Internships are available at the following locations in Missouri:

•    Columbia: State Historical Society of Missouri
•    Jefferson City: Missouri State Archives
•    Kansas City: Harry Truman Presidential Library, National World War I Museum
•    St. Joseph: St. Joseph Museums
•    St. Louis: Campbell House Museum, Missouri History Museum, Mercantile Library
•    Springfield: MSU Special Collections and Archive

For more information email Jason McDonald, assistant professor of history, at jasonmcd@truman.edu.

A campus workshop on the psychology of academic success will take place from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 31 in Barnett Hall 2217.

Visiting psychology experts from Magellan Health will lead the two-hour interactive workshop. During this event they will discuss tips and tricks to help students excel in and out of the classroom. There will be a portion regarding academics with key points on confidence, anxiety and helpful hints. There will also be a practical portion talking about mindset, preserving energy and other helpful ways to succeed outside the classroom.

The first hour will focus on academics with topics such as growth mindset to increase study habits, tips to fight procrastination and the Cognitive Processing Model to increase memory retention. The second hour will focus on performance and will consist of group activities that help develop confidence, attention control and imagery, and energy management.

This event is sponsored by ROTC and the Center for Academic Excellence. All students are welcome to join. Contact Robert Points, senior military science instructor, or Ashleigh Harding, director of student success, with any questions.

Professor Griff, an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and co-founding member of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, will speak at Truman as part of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

This event, taking place at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room, is in partnership with the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. Several artifacts will be on display and discussed during the presentation as part of the Music of the Movement Exhibit, an immersive experience that delves into the powerful impact of music on the social, cultural and political movements of the Black experience in America. The exhibit features a range of cultural and historical artifacts that include vinyl records, press photos, flyers, clothing items, contracts and other items from iconic artists who have shaped popular culture around the world.

Griff is an avid lecturer, known for his innate ability to impart life-changing ideas, concepts and techniques for the growth and development of all who attend his lectures. He draws on his exemplary life of service and an impressive 20-plus-year musical career to captivate audiences with his universal call for social responsibility within both the hip-hop community and larger culture. In addition to his work as a recording artist, Griff is a published author, cultural entertainment analyst, producer and educator.

Tickets are not required for this event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to view the artifacts on display after the lecture.

Established by the educator and scholar Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum is a renowned repository comprising more than 10,000 original artifacts. As the premier traveling exhibition of Black history in the nation, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum has visited more than 1,000 institutions in 43 states. For 25 years, these highly sought after exhibits have touched the lives of countless individuals across diverse settings, including educational institutions, corporate spaces, conferences, libraries, museums, festivals, places of worship and cultural events.

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 660.785.4133.

The Truman Food Pantry is a resource on campus that offers food and hygiene products to assist students.

The pantry is available to all Truman students. There are no income eligibility requirements for use, and all that is needed is a Truman ID when picking up items. Students are asked to complete a one-time form on their first visit, but use of the pantry will not become apart of the student’s record, nor will the student’s information be shared.

The food pantry is located in the Student Union Building Room 1106 (SERVE Center) and is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-4 p.m. Sundays. In addition to these hours, throughout the year, there will be pop-up pantry events that allow students to make their own food packs or pick up one that is already prepared. This semester’s pop-up pantrys will take place 2-5 p.m. Feb. 1, March 7, April 4 and May 2 in the Student Union Down Under.

Additional information can be found on the food pantry website, by emailing serve@truman.edu, or by following @tsuservecenter on Instagram.

The Admission Office is now hiring student digital ambassadors for the spring 2024 semester.

A student digital ambassador communicates with prospective students by text message or phone to answer any questions they may have about the University, reminds them of upcoming events or deadlines and shares their own Truman experience.

Scholarship, work-study and institutional opportunities are available. Institutional opportunities are limited. Applications can be found here and are due by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 2.

Delta Sigma Pi is a co-ed professional business fraternity open to all business, accounting and finance majors. Members of Delta Sigma Pi have access to events, conferences, resources and connections to build professional skills, leadership ability, management potential and character. The three pillars of the fraternity are professionalism, service and brotherhood.

They will host their recruitment at 7 p.m. Feb. 5-8 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. For more information follow DSP on Instagram or email deltasigmapi@gmail.com.

The Career Center is hosting its Student Worker Fair from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Student Union Georgian Rooms. At this event, students will have the opportunity to meet Truman departments and local organizations that employ or provide scholarship and work-study hours.

Departments or organizations interested in participating can sign up through #HireTruman by Feb. 20. Departments that do not have an account will need to create one. For more information contact the Joel Brumfield, career services coordinator, or call 660.785.4237.

The 2024-25 FAFSA will use 2022 tax year information with a priority deadline of April 1, 2024 for Missouri residents. It is strongly recommended to apply or renew before Feb. 1 Details about the FAFSA can be found online at studentaid.gov.

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.

The Truman State University Board of Governors will meet at 1 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.