Vol. 28 No. 35 - June 24, 2024

Features

Truman Featured Among Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges”

Truman is once again included on The Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges list for 2024.

Out of more than 650 colleges and universities surveyed for the 2024 list, only 209 were selected. The company chose the colleges featured on the list based on those that earned the highest return on investment ratings in this year’s analysis. They tallied the ROI ratings based on more than 40 data points that covered academics, affordability and career preparation.

Truman was credited as one of the Top 50 Best Value Colleges among public institutions. The University also earned a spot on The Princeton Review’s list of the Top 20 Best Schools for Financial Aid, coming in at No. 5 on the ranking of public schools.

The Princeton Review’s full list for the best value colleges for 2024 can be found here.
Red, White and Blue Festival Set for July 5-6

Kirksville’s Red, White and Blue Festival will take place July 5-6.

The festival will start off with a community band concert from 5-6 p.m. July 5 on the downtown square. A Summer on the Square concert featuring The Aaron Russell Band will follow from 7-8:30 p.m. People can drop off pies for the United Way Pie Sale and Silent Auction between 4-5 p.m., and the auction will take place between music sets.

The morning of July 6 will kick off with several events on the square. From 7-11 a.m. the pancake breakfast will take place on Washington Street. The Kiwanis Farmers’ Market will also be open from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. on the downtown square. The classic car show will take place from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Downtown Cinema 8 parking lot. The 8th annual FLATS Uncle Sam 5K Run and 1.5 Mile Walk will start at 8:30 a.m. at Dukum Inn. People interested in participating can visit kvflats.org/events to register. The Red, White and Blue Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of N. Franklin and Missouri streets going south.

Nighttime festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with a block party event featuring games for kids and food trucks at North Park. Live entertainment by Clint & Nick will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by Boot Cut from 7-9:30 p.m. The festival will end with the community fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. at North Park with a rain date of July 7.

Anyone from the Truman community who would like to be a part of the University’s entry in the Red, White and Blue Parade can contact pr@truman.edu. Volunteers are needed to accompany Spike hand out candy along the parade route.

Announcements

Faculty Promotions and Tenure

During the June 15 meeting, the Board of Governors approved recommendations for promotion and tenure effective at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.

Promoted to Associate Professor
Jana Ogden, nursing
Rolena Stephenson, health science
Rafael Tubongbanua, nursing
Timothy Wiser, physics

Promoted to Professor
Anton Daughters, anthropology
Rebecca Dierking, English education
Yuna Ferguson, psychology
Brian Snyder, health and exercise sciences
Scott Thatcher, statistics

Granted Academic Tenure
Jana Ogden, nursing
Rolena Stephenson, health science
Scott Thatcher, statistics
Rafael Tubongbanua, nursing
Timothy Wiser, physics
Bookstore Deals Now Available
The University Bookstore, located in the Student Union Building, is currently offering up to 75% Truman apparel and merchandise through June 24. Starting this fall, the University Bookstore will be under the direction of Barnes & Noble. In preparation for the transition, the store will be closed June 25-July 7.
Starbucks and Einstein Special Summer Hours

During orientation days Einstein’s will be open from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Starbucks will be open from 1-5 p.m. Upcoming orientation days are June 24 and 26.
Volunteers Needed for Move-In Day

Move-In Day will take place between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 14. Those who volunteer will help new students move their belongings from their car to their respective rooms, direct traffic at essential locations and guide families to long-term parking. Sign up is available here.
Summer Hours for UCS and SHC

Summer hours for the Student Health Center and University Counseling Services will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. An on-site nurse practitioner will be available Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Patients that walk-in on Mondays and Thursdays will be offered to go to the main location at 1611 S. Baltimore Street, or go through Urgent Care. To schedule an appointment, call 660.785.4182 or email studenthealth@cfmcares.com. More information can be found at truman.cfmcares.com.
Study Abroad in Africa

In May 2025, AFR 300: Conservation and Management of Large African Mammals will be open to all majors that are passionate about wildlife and want to experience conservation in action. The course includes 11 days in South Africa. Students will receive 10 days of hands-on work and instruction with Parawild Safari operating in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The course will also include a tour of Kruger National Park, one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa.

No prerequisites are required for this three-credit adventure. The course also fulfills the intercultural perspective and biology electives. Email Stephanie Fore, professor of biology, with any questions or visit studyabroad.truman.edu.
FAFSA Filing Now Open

Students can file or make changes to their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 school year at studentaid.gov.

All students in need of financial assistance are encouraged to complete the FAFSA. Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of financial aid for college students in the United States. 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 2024-2025 FAFSA requires students to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For the 2024-2025 FAFSA students will use their 2022 tax information. Details about the FAFSA can be found online at studentaid.gov.

Several Missouri organizations will host free in-person and virtual FAFSA assistance drop-in sessions this summer to help students complete or correct their FAFSA. The Missouri College and Career Attainment Network will host virtual sessions from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday evenings through July 31. They will also host in-person sessions in the Kansas City metro area from 5-7 p.m. Monday evenings from June 3-July 31.

The Missouri College Advising Corps College Connections Center will host virtual sessions from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday afternoons through Aug. 7. They will also host in-person sessions from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at various locations throughout June and July. A list of walk-in locations can be found here. A list of additional virtual and in-person FAFSA support resources offered this summer can also be found here.

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.
Next Issue
The next issue of the Truman Today will be available July 8.