Vol. 29 No. 25 - March 17, 2025

 
Ambassador “Sully” Sullenberger, Captain of US Airways Flight 1549, will be Truman’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker in April.
 
Sullenberger became internationally renowned on Jan. 15, 2009, when he and his crew safely guided their disabled jetliner to an emergency water landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River during what has been called the “Miracle on the Hudson.” All 155 aboard survived. Sullenberger and his crew received international acclaim for their actions, including the passage of a Congressional resolution recognizing their bravery. Sullenberger was ranked second in TIME’s “Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009.”
 
Born in Denison, Texas, Sullenberger pursued his childhood love of aviation, learning to fly at 16. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He went on to be an airline pilot, instructor and accident investigator. He still flies privately.
 
Following the “Miracle on the Hudson,” Sullenberger became a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author with “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters.” The book was adapted into the major motion picture “Sully,” directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks in the lead role. Sullenberger also wrote “Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America’s Leaders.”
 
Recently, Sullenberger served as the U.S. Ambassador and Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations Specialized Agency. As a global thought leader, he has now resumed his profession as a sought-after keynote speaker to audiences around the world and continues his advocacy for safety in global air travel and for the cause of democracy.
 

Registration for summer classes begins March 18.

Summer is a great time for students to focus their attention on a challenging class, or work on boosting their GPA for scholarship renewal or graduate school applications. It is also an opportunity to make a lot of progress toward an additional major or minor without falling behind.

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 10-24. The first round of five-week courses, as well as 10-week courses, begin May 27, while the second round of five-week courses begins June 30. An eight-week session begins June 2. The August interim runs from July 26-Aug. 9. For more information visit summer.truman.edu.

 
Beginning this fall, the University Bookstore’s First Day Complete program will take effect, simplifying the textbook process and lowering costs for students.
 
First Day Complete uses course schedules, faculty feedback and registration data to predetermine quantities of course materials needed. Students are automatically enrolled in the program and can receive all their textbooks and other course materials at the current rate of $22 per credit hour. Students also have the ability to opt out of the program and purchase materials on a course-by-course basis from whatever retailer they choose.
 
“This program is easy to use and consistently provides savings for most students,” said Tyana Lange, vice president of student engagement, enrollment and marketing. “Our priority is to give students the most cost-effective option possible for their course materials.”
 
The University Bookstore is operated by Barnes & Noble College, a network of more than 1,400 school stores. Barnes & Noble College estimates the program saves students on average between 35-50% each semester.
 
All enrolled students will receive an email in July regarding their course materials for the fall semester. From the email, students will be prompted to go to the Barnes & Noble College website where they will either select their delivery method through First Day Complete or choose to opt-out. The website will also provide a cost savings analysis to help students make an informed decision. For the fall 2025 semester, the opt-out window will open July 15 and close Aug. 27.
 
Any changes to their schedules made by students during the summer will automatically be updated through First Day Complete. There is also a grace period at the start of each semester for students who may add or drop classes.
 
Participation in First Day Complete includes all materials, whether they be physical or digital copies. Materials can be delivered directly to the student, or they can be picked up in person at the University Bookstore.
 
Non-degree seeking students – typically high school students participating in dual enrollment or those enrolled in community courses – are not eligible for the program. Students participating in study abroad are also not eligible for the program in the semesters they are away from campus.  
 
More information about First Day complete, including an FAQ section, can be found at truman.edu/student-life/university-bookstore.

 
Anthony Ray Hinton, who spent nearly 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit, will speak at 6 p.m. March 26 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.
 
Hinton was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985 in Alabama. With the assistance of the Equal Justice Initiative, led by attorney Bryan Stevenson, he won his release in 2015. Since his conviction was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, Hinton has become a sought-after speaker and author of “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” which was selected for Oprah’s Book Club and is a New York Times bestseller.
 
“‘The Sun Does Shine’ is Hinton’s story from the perspective of someone who faced an unimaginable ordeal being sentenced to die for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet through it all, his message of hope, faith and justice is resounding,” said Elizabeth Wiles, director of interdisciplinary studies and chair of legal studies and pre-law programming at Truman. “It is a powerful memoir, and this event is sure to be a transformative experience for anyone from any background.”
 
Hinton may be familiar to audiences from his inclusion in Stevenson’s book “Just Mercy,” later adapted into a movie of the same name. At the time “Just Mercy” was originally published, Hinton had yet to be exonerated. “The Sun Does Shine” gives readers the firsthand account of his redemptive journey.
 
Presented as part of Truman’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series, Hinton’s presentation is free and open to the public.

The event will feature 10 authors to share their books with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in the northeast Missouri region. This year’s lineup includes Chris Barton, David Biedrzycki, Lindsay Currie, Chrystal D. Giles, Sandy Grubb, Jose Pablo Iriarte, Jane Kuo, Megan Wagner
Lloyd, Jennifer Nielsen and Jennifer Ziegler. More information about them can be found on the CLF website.Students will participate in 30-minute sessions with the guest authors and illustrators. In addition to the traditional literature festival activities, the Truman Theatre Department will perform a free theatre production of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” at 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This energetic, retro revue makes learning fun and unforgettable and brings the Emmy-winning 1970s cartoon series to the stage.Those attending the literature festival in the morning could eat lunch on campus and attend the 12:30 p.m. performance of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” Those attending in the afternoon could arrive early for the 9:45 a.m. “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” performance, eat lunch and then attend the literature festival.Additional information about the event may be obtained from the Children’s Literature Festival webpage.

This year’s Foundation Celebration will take place at 5 p.m. April 5 in the Student Union Building.

This event recognizes the tremendous impact of the University Foundation and will include student speakers, performers, a special recognition of 50 years of the Gen. John J. Pershing Scholarship and celebration of new members to Truman’s giving societies.

Two presidential awards will also be bestowed. The Distinguished Corporation Award will be given to Mastercard, and the President’s Leadership Award will be presented to the honorable Ann Covington.

A philanthropic partner for Truman, Mastercard encourages employees to engage with their community while building a purpose-driven workforce. In addition to the company’s variety of community engagement opportunities across the globe, employees in the U.S. have 40 hours/5 days each year for volunteering. Some Truman alumni at Mastercard have dedicated these hours to supporting student recruitment, school support and engagement, on-campus and remote speaking opportunities to classes and clubs as well as serving as mentors and judges for the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. innovation pitch competition and serving on the various boards that support the University. Alumni working at Mastercard have also served as Bentele-Mallinckrodt scholars and as speakers on the topics of business and cybersecurity in the annual Tru-Biz Business Forums.

Along with her late husband, Charles J. McClain, President Emeritus of Truman, Covington has generously given her time, talent and treasure to the University. She is a member of all of Truman’s most prestigious giving societies: the John R. Kirk Society, the Joseph Baldwin Society and the President’s Circle. She also continues to support the Charles J. McClain Foundation Scholarship and the Gen. John J. Pershing Scholarship. Recognized by the American Bar Association as one of the Women Trailblazers in the Law, Covington was the first woman to serve on the Missouri Court of Appeals, the first woman appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court and the first woman to be named chief justice.

Those who wish to attend the Foundation Celebration may RSVP here. There is a registration fee of $15 per person.

Several offices around campus are now operating from their new location in Kirk Building.

Since 2022, Truman has been transforming Kirk into a Student Success Center with a collaborative service model. Multiple departments will work in conjunction to assist students. The Student Success Center will be comprised of: the Career Center; the Student Health Center; Counseling Services; Student Access and Disability Services; the Center for Academic Excellence; the Communication Lab; and the Writing Center.

In addition to housing the Student Success Center, Kirk will also eventually be used to provide resources to the community, including workforce development outreach, rural telehealth counseling and academic outreach workshops. All the services in Kirk Building are scheduled to be online this fall.

All offices are moved into Kirk Building, with the exception of the Center for Academic Excellence and Tutoring Services, which are expected to move in mid-April and will be located on the second floor. Contact information will remain the same for each office and more information about the services they offer are available on their respective websites.

Career Center  
660.785.4353
career.truman.edu
Kirk Building 1012-1018

Communication Lab
excellence.truman.edu/tutoring/departmental-tutoring
Kirk Building 2031

Counseling Services
660.785.4014
truman.cfmcares.com/university-counseling-services
Kirk Building 3025-3029

Student Access and Disability Services
660.785.4478
disabilityservices.truman.edu
Kirk Building 1006-1007

Student Health Center
660.785.4182
truman.cfmcares.com/student-health-center
Kirk Building 3004

Writing Center
660.785.4484
writingcenter.truman.edu
Kirk Building 2004-2005

Truman was honored with 2024 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to a greener and healthier campus environment.

The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Truman achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include: maintaining a tree advisory committee; a campus tree-care plan; dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program; an Arbor Day observance; and a student service-learning project.

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. With a focus in communities and forests of greatest need, the Foundation has helped to plant more than 500 million trees in more than 60 countries. Guided by its mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to unlocking the power of trees to help solve critical issues facing people and the planet. Learn more about the impact of the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.

Truman has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA school since 2014. Currently there are 411 campuses across the United States with this recognition. More information about the program is available at treecampushighered.org.

 
University mascot Spike and Nugget, a tortoise from the herpatarium, are competing head-to-head for the most accurate March Madness bracket.
 
Nugget will make his selections by eating food placed near logos of each of the competing teams. Spike claims to have a secret “fool-proof formula” he predicts will result in a perfect bracket.
 
All members of the Truman community are invited to fill out free brackets and see how they stack up against Spike and Nugget. Pools for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournament can be found online at playncaa.com under Truman State Univ. (men’s bracket, women’s bracket). The password is TrumanState1867.
 
Updates for Spike and Nugget will be shared on Truman’s Instagram throughout the tournament.

Anthony Squiers will present “Bertolt Brecht’s Aesthetics of Adaptation” at 4:30 p.m. March 18 in Baldwin Hall 114.

Squiers’ talk will focus on his new book, “Bertolt Brecht’s Adaptations and Anti-capitalist Aesthetics Today,” which argues that the German playwright Brecht’s practices of adaptation occupy a central, yet previously unacknowledged place within his thought. Squiers contends that Brecht allows the audience to think about adaptation as a process of “material transformation,” which is useful for understanding the potential of anti-capitalist aesthetics today.

As a scholar of political science, American studies, philosophy and theater, Squiers has a unique background. He received a Ph.D. in political science from Western Michigan University and a habilitation in American studies from the Universität Passau, Germany. He currently teaches at the AMDA College of the Performing Arts, and has had faculty positions in Germany, Texas and Kurdistan, Iraq.

This event is presented by the Department of Languages and Linguistics.

Brian Gardner will speak from 12-1:20 p.m. March 18 in the Doug & Diane Villhard Innovation Lab located in Pickler Memorial Library, as part of the TRU-Entrepreneur Speaker Series.

Gardner earned a business administration degree from Truman in 1984. He went on to receive an AA degree in mortuary science from Kansas City Community College in 1986. Throughout his career, Gardner worked for, owned and operated a number of funeral homes in Missouri, including the Markland-Gardner Funeral Home and the Columbia Cremation Care Center. The Columbia Cremation Care Center was a new business he started from the ground up in 2009 and served as president until his retirement in 2023.

TRU-Entrepreneur Series events are a good opportunity for students to meet with seasoned entrepreneurs that will share their success stories, how they rebound from failure, their passion for making a positive impact and more.

The 24th annual Big Event is set to take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 29.

The Big Event gives Truman students, faculty, staff and alumni the opportunity to show appreciation for all of the support the Kirksville community has offered to them. Hundreds of Truman volunteers will provide services to the residents of the community by raking leaves, washing windows, painting and more.  

Volunteers can sign-up here. Local Kirksville residents hoping for volunteers to help them with projects can sign-up here. All sign-ups are due by March 21. For more information visit serve.truman.edu.

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. Truman students can make appointments online. Truman staff and community members should call 660.785.6064 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

The first-ever Tru Crime Day, sponsored by Interdisciplinary Studies and Criminal Justice Studies, will take place on campus March 26.

Open to the campus and Kirksville communities, Tru Crime Day offers visitors a multidisciplinary exploration of crime and criminal justice. Through engaging panels, workshops, discussions and activities, attendees will uncover the science behind investigations, explore real-life cases and examine the social, legal and psychological dimensions of crime. Some of the events will be of particular interest for current and prospective students.

“True crime is a popular genre with people of all ages, especially Gen Z,” said Elizabeth Wiles, assistant professor of criminal justice studies and chair of legal studies and pre-law programming at Truman. “This is not just for criminal justice or pre-law students, it’s for anyone teenaged or older interested in learning more about true crime from an interdisciplinary perspective.”

Registration is not required for most events, but it is encouraged. Events marked with an asterisk require registration. To register for Tru Crime Day, visit truman.edu/events/tru-crime-day.

Tru Crime Day participants are also invited to stay on campus for a presentation by Anthony Ray Hinton. Wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985, Hinton and spent nearly 30 years on death row in Alabama. Bryan Stevenson at the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit based in Montgomery, Alabama, picked up his case, handling his defense for 16 years. Since Hinton’s conviction was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in 2015, he has become a sought-after speaker and author of the bestselling book “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.”

“This is a powerful memoir with themes of faith, hope, perseverance and justice, which should appeal to a broad audience,” Wiles said. “It is a powerful memoir, and this event is sure to be a transformative experience for anyone from any background.”

Hinton will speak at 6 p.m. March 26 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium as part of the University’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series. His presentation is free of charge and open to the public.


Tru Crime Day Events
*Registration required

Anatomy of an Autopsy: Virtual Cadaver Lab*
Unlock the chilling secrets of the human body with Truman’s state-of-the-art virtual anatomy lab. Visitors will use virtual dissection tools to peel back layers of skin, slice open organs, saw through a skull and more. In this truly “cutting-edge” educational tool, students dig through 3D cross-sections of the cadaver to uncover crucial clues about a mysterious murder.

Voices of Justice: Conversations with Criminal Justice Professionals
Hear from dynamic panels of criminal justice professionals as they pull back the curtain on their challenging and rewarding careers. Get a firsthand look at the complex and high-stakes decisions they face every day, from courtroom drama to the chaos of crime scenes. Hear their expert perspectives and learn how each professional plays a unique role in the pursuit of justice.

Crack the Case: Mock Crime Scene Investigation*
Step into the shoes of a detective in this hands-on mock crime scene investigation. Team up with current criminal justice and forensic science students to examine a staged crime scene, collect evidence and piece together the clues. Use real investigative techniques to analyze fingerprints, track down hidden evidence and solve the mystery before time runs out.

Hometown Horrors: True Crime Writing and Podcast Workshop*
Bring your hometown’s dark tales and dastardly deeds to life in this creative writing and DIY podcast workshop. Learn how to craft gripping narratives through written words and voice. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Villhard Innovation Lab’s podcast studio in Pickler Library and experiment with the equipment.

Prison Break Escape Rooms
In this brain-bending prison break challenge, you and your team will crack codes, solve puzzles and piece together clues to break free. Beat the clock and earn some “get-out-of-jail-free” prizes that will have you feeling like a criminal mastermind.

From Script to Scream: Indie Filmmakers Spill Their Guts
Join indie horror filmmakers and Truman alumni Nick Toti and Rachel Kempf for a chilling discussion on how they craft suspense, fear and thrills in their films. As founders of DieDieBooks, an independent publisher of horror film criticism, and DieDieVideo, a low-budget horror film production company, they’ll share behind-the-scenes secrets from their work. Hear about their debut movie, “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This,” which premiered at TIFF’s Midnight Madness program and was called “horror’s hottest ticket” by Variety.

Killer Psychology with Sal Costa
Peak into the minds of serial killers with Sal Costa, the legendary Truman professor who taught the infamous “Serial Killers” course for nearly three decades. In this captivating session, Costa will unravel the psychology and history of notorious serial killers, exploring the strange behaviors and dark motives behind their crimes.

Laundered Lies & Dirty Money: Financial Crimes Exposed
Unravel the secrets of financial fraud and white-collar crime in this fascinating session. Learn the truth behind the headlines about greedy elites who exploit the system while everyday people suffer. In this twisted world of lies and corruption, forensic accountants are modern-day Robin Hoods – using their skills to expose corporate crooks and high-powered con artists, bringing them to justice.

Criminal Law, From Courtroom to Classroom
Explore real criminal law in this interactive class session with current students. Learn about the sources of law and discuss how the criminal legal system functions. Through engaging activities and discussions, gain a better understanding of how laws are made and applied in real criminal cases. This session is ideal for aspiring lawyers or anyone curious about the justice system.

As part of Student Appreciation Week, Student Government’s student affairs committee is starting a new tradition, pie-a-professor. This event will take place from 12-3 p.m. March 27 on the quad. Professors interested in being a part of this event can sign up here.

The Office of Student Research is accepting applications for Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research (GIASR).

GIASR applications are for research and creative scholarship conducted in summer 2025. Grant applications may request up to $750 and can cover student stipends, supplies and travel to conduct research.

Complete guidelines for the GIASR applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. March 28. Questions can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

As part of the Children’s Literature Festival, a banquet will take place at 6 p.m. March 28 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

The banquet is open to the Truman community and general public. Each of the authors will sit at a different table. Attendees can choose where to sit so they can dine with their favorite author.

Jennifer Nielsen will be the featured speaker. Nielsen is the No. 1 New York Times Bestselling author of more than 25 books for young readers, including “The False Prince,” “A Night Divided,” “Resistance,” “Words on Fire” and many other titles. Her works have been optioned for film, won multiple state awards and been translated into twenty languages. Her latest release is the Mt. Everest rescue story, “One Wrong Step.” In her spare time, Nielsen loves old books, lazy days in the mountains and spending time with her family.

Tickets are $20 and registration is open online until March 26.

Nominations are now open for the fourth annual Echo 25 and Alumni Fellows awards. Truman alumni all over the world make notable accomplishments every day, and no one knows the qualities that make an outstanding Bulldog better than the campus community itself.

The Echo 25 award honors alumni under the age of 40 that live out Truman’s characteristics of graduates: creativity, leadership and compassion, among others. Alumni Fellows are distinguished in their profession in addition to making impressive contributions to their community and demonstrating integrity in their personal lives.

The campus community is invited to help nominate outstanding alumni for these two awards. Nominations are due by May 1. Questions about both awards can be directed to Stacy Tucker-Potter, director of engagement, at stuckerpotter@truman.edu.

Truman Department of Nursing will have a site visit by the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN) March 17 as part of their five-year program review. Any person or organization that would like to comment on the nursing program is invited to send written comments to the Department of Nursing, 100 E. Normal Ave, HS 3206, Kirksville, MO 63501 or email to nursing@truman.edu. Comments may also be emailed directly to MSBN atsarah.mckee@pr.mo.gov. Comments must be received prior to the site visit.

Associate professors of exercise science, Julene Ensign and Nancy Daley-Moore are recruiting faculty and staff to participate in the post-test survey of their IRB-approved research study exploring faculty and staff perceptions of wellness on Truman’s campus. They are hoping that the information provided in this post-test survey could be used to figure out better faculty and staff wellness programming.

Those eligible to participate must be a current full-time faculty or staff member. Any questions about the research project can be emailed to jensign@truman.edu or ndmoore@truman.edu.

Truman’s Master of Arts in Communication Disorders (CMDS) program will host a site visit from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) March 31 and April 1. The purpose of the site visit is to evaluate the CMDS program as it seeks continued re-accreditation. As part of the re-accreditation site visit, a public meeting will take place from 4:45-5:30 p.m. March 31 in Pershing Building 2100. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
 
The Standards for Accreditation and the CAA’s Policy on Public Comment may be obtained by contacting 800.498.2071 or caa.asha.org.

Students may receive an email survey from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), addresses from “Sue Thomas, President <nsse@nssesurvey.org>.”

First year students, not necessarily freshmen by credits, and seniors, must have been senior status in the fall, should receive an invitation to participate. The email contains a unique link for the survey. Those that didn’t receive an email can request their link from jhopkins@truman.edu or visit nssesurvey.org and click on “Don’t know your login ID?” Students can use their Truman email address on the next page to access the survey.

The message in the email will read:

It is important to me, the administration, faculty and staff, that you can make the most of your time at Truman so you are best prepared to achieve your goals and dreams when you graduate. Results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) will give us students’ perspectives of the Truman experience, including academics, learning with peers, experiences with faculty and campus life. By completing the NSSE Survey, you will provide invaluable insights that will inform what Truman does now and in the future. Knowing what you think is essential, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

All the best,
President Sue Thomas

Based on the spring 2024 Civic Engagement survey conducted in collaboration with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Truman was identified for meeting requirements that virtually all students fall within one or more of the categories identified in CLDE’s Learning Framework: Democratic Knowledge and Levers for Change, Bridge-Building and Problem-Solving Skills, Practical Experience and Projects, and Career-Related Civic and Ethical Learning.

Of the 129 respondents, only 37 institutions were classified as FPIs.

CLDE was created by higher education and policy organizations in response to the serious challenges facing democracy at home and abroad. The coalition’s lead partners are the American Association of Colleges and Universities, Campus Compact, College Promise, Complete College America and State Higher Education Executive Officers.

This program supports candidates who demonstrate leadership, character and academic performance. It is open to students who started higher education right after high school, as well as adult learners who are now pursuing or returning to complete a degree. Additionally, these students have a vision, are eager to make their contribution to the world and have the work ethic to bring their dreams to fruition.

The scholarship application period runs through April 1. More information, including details on how to apply, can be found here. The scholarship amount can vary based on an applicant’s circumstances. The general range will be $2,000-$5,000 based on expected family contribution (EFC), unmet need and other factors.

Applicants must: be a Missouri resident; be an undergraduate second-, third- or fourth-year student for the 2025-26 academic year; enrolled full-time and making satisfactory academic progress; and have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher. Recommendation from an instructor, counselor, advisor, current or recent supervisor, community leader or other similarly qualified individual is required.