Vol. 29 No. 27 - March 31, 2025

The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, will convene court at Truman at 9 a.m. April 10 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

Although the court convenes regularly at its courthouse in downtown Kansas City, it has convened sessions in many of the 45 counties in its jurisdiction. The court hears oral arguments outside of Kansas City to give individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see and to familiarize those attending with the court’s role in the judicial system. After the oral arguments, the judges will take time to discuss the court system, explain the proceedings and take questions from the audience.

A panel consisting of Judge Cindy Martin, Judge Douglas Thomson and Senior Judge Joseph M. Ellis, sitting as a special judge, will hear oral arguments in four cases on the docket. Martin was appointed to the court in 2009 and had previously practiced law for more than 25 years in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit. Thomson joined the Western District in 2020. Prior to that, he served as an associate circuit judge in Nodaway County for more than five years.

Ellis was appointed to the Western District in August 1993 and retired in March 2016. Before his appointment to the judiciary, he practiced law in Macon and also served as the municipal judge for Macon. Although retired, Ellis continues to serve as a senior judge and was appointed to sit with this panel by the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to section 476.681, RSMo.

This event is open to the public, and students may come and go as their schedule permits. Enter and exit quietly if the court session is under way.

Senior agriculture science majors Sophia Seibert, Kaitlin Campbell, Emma Rohlfing and Aubrey Bachman, are hosting a “A Day at the Farm” from 3-9 p.m. April 11 at the University farm as part of their practicum project.

This event will include several activities such as yoga, ag Olympics, slacklining, yard games, “pie-a-professor,” bonfire, s’mores, hayrides, stargazing at the Observatory and a petting zoo. There will also be three different demonstrations: compost, mushroom and horse riding. Free food will also be available.

Sign up for activities here. This event is open to the Truman community. The goal of their project is for people to learn about the farm and what it has to offer.

Six classics students and their co-advisor, Bridget Thomas, professor of classics, recently attended the 97th Annual Convention of Eta Sigma Phi, the national collegiate honor society for the study of classics. The weekend-long event took place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, March 14-16.

Students at the convention competed in “Certamen,” classics quiz bowl, participated in business meetings, listened to student papers, participated in Greek and Latin declamation contests, learned about epigraphy, watched a student performance of a Satyr play and competed in elections for national offices.

Truman won top prize for “Certamen.” The team included Alexandra Thornhill, classics and linguistics; Arreya Shaw, history and classical studies minor; Jacob Whitely, classics and history; and Hannah Struck, classics. Their prizes were new translations of Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” Vergil’s “Aeneid” and Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.”

Shaw served as “Megale Hyparchos,” national vice president, for 2024-2025. She presided over the meeting, as necessary, and presented the new chapters report. She also was a member of the winning team for the costume contest “Sacks of Rome.”

Five of the six students participated in the resolutions committee, a highlight of every convention. This group included Stef Maricic, classics and museum studies minor, and Naomi Quedensley, history and classical studies minor, as well as Thornhill, Whitely and Struck.

Thomas agreed to serve another three-year term as a trustee of this national organization.

Truman was also chosen as the site of next year’s convention.

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.

Listed below are several of the major national fellowships and their websites. More information about these fellowships is available at truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/fellowships.


Fellowships For Study in the United States
(campus nomination required)

Carnegie Endowment
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to graduating seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. Applicants must be nominated by the Truman State University nominating official. This fellowship is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Eleven to 13 students will be hired to work at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, D.C., on a full-time basis for a period of one year. Application deadline is Nov. 17, 2025.

Goldwater Scholarship
for undergraduates only
Awarded to sophomore or junior math or science majors who have one or two full years of undergraduate study remaining. Each scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board. To be eligible, a student must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be a United States citizen and demonstrate a potential for and commitment to a career in research in mathematics or natural sciences. Deadline to declare intent to apply is Oct. 27, 2025.

Harry S. Truman Scholarship
for undergraduates only
Awarded to outstanding junior students who intend to pursue careers in public service. Each Harry S. Truman Scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $30,000 over a period of up to four years (i.e., one year of college and three years of graduate school). To be eligible, a student must have selected an undergraduate field of study that will permit admission to a graduate program leading to a career in public service. Campus deadline is Nov. 17, 2025.

Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation
for undergraduates only
The Morris K. Udall Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers related to environmental public policy and to encourage outstanding Native American and Alaska native students to pursue careers related to health care and tribal public policy. Requirements include sophomore or junior standing with at least a 3.0 GPA and ranking in the top quarter of a student’s class. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,000, and expenses for a Udall Scholars Orientation. Deadline for applications is Jan. 5, 2026.


Fellowships for Experiences Abroad
(campus nomination required)

British Marshall Scholarship
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to exceptional seniors or recent graduates who wish to study for two years in a British university. It is meant to further the education of young people of distinguished intellect and character who can be expected to make a significant contribution to society. To be eligible, applicants must have a 3.7 GPA, be a United States citizen and earn a bachelor’s degree before the scholarship takes effect. Applications must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025.

Fulbright Grant
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to seniors and graduate students. Grants range from a full grant – which covers one year of tuition, books and maintenance in one foreign country – to a variety of partial grants, which cover transportation costs only and/or supplement the applicant’s own personal funds. Teaching assistantships in English in selected countries are also available under the Fulbright program. To be eligible for any of the Fulbright grants, an applicant must be a United States citizen at the time of application and hold a bachelor’s degree by the beginning date of the grant. Creative and performing artists are not required to have a bachelor’s degree, but must have four years of relevant training or study. All applicants are required to have sufficient proficiency in the language of the host country to carry out their proposed study or research. Applications must be completed by Sept. 1, 2025.

Fulbright Grant: U.K. Summer Institute Award
for undergraduates
Awarded to freshman or sophomore students from all areas of study with a high level of academic achievement. Each program offers students full immersion in the study of British academia and culture. Students will partake in cultural events, research, collaboration and presentation at one of nine summer institutes. The award will cover the majority of all costs incurred, including flights to and from the U.K., university fees, and room and board at the hosting U.K. university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who reside anywhere except the U.K., be at least 18 years old and have completed no more than two years of university study. Applications must be completed by Jan. 5, 2026.

Mitchell Scholarship
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to seniors or recent graduates who wish to pursue graduate study or research in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Mitchell Scholarships provide tuition and housing, as well as living and travel stipends. Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree before taking up the award. Applications must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025.

Boren Scholarship and Fellowship
for undergraduates and graduates
NOTE: The graduate fellowship does not require campus nomination.
Designed to provide U.S. undergraduates and graduates with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of the nation. Boren Scholarships/Fellowships are designed to support students who will make a commitment to federal service. All recipients incur a requirement to enter into an agreement, in order of priority, to work for an agency of the federal government with national security responsibilities or to work in the field of higher education in the area of study for which the scholarship was awarded. Maximum awards are $10,000 for a semester and $20,000 for a full year of study abroad. Campus deadline for scholarships (undergraduate) is Jan. 1, 2026. Campus deadline for fellowships (graduate) is Dec. 29, 2025.

Rhodes Scholarship
for undergraduates only
Awarded to exceptional seniors who wish to pursue two or three years of study at Oxford University. The Rhodes Scholarship covers all tuition costs and provides a maintenance allowance. To be eligible a senior must be under 24 years of age, be a citizen of the United States and complete a bachelor’s degree before Oct. 1. There are only 32 scholarships assigned to the United States and applicants must have proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard, integrity of character, interest in and respect for their fellow human beings, the ability to lead and the energy to use their talents to the fullest. The last of these qualities is usually, though not exclusively, demonstrated by participation and success in sports. Rhodes Scholarship applications must be completed by Sept. 1, 2025. Read about Truman’s first Rhodes Scholarship recipient, Andrew McCall, who provides helpful advice for Rhodes Scholar applicants.


Other Fellowships
(no campus nomination required)

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
for college graduates and graduate students
A highly competitive national program that provides college and graduate school graduates the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C., with one of more than two dozen participating public-interest organizations focusing on international security issues. The program is offered twice yearly, in the spring and fall. It lasts from six to nine months and provides a salary, health insurance and travel costs to Washington.

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
for undergraduates and graduates
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a foreign service career with the U.S. Department of State. The programs provide academic and professional preparation for outstanding candidates to enter the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service, representing America’s interests abroad.

Amgen Scholars Program
for undergraduates only
The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on summer research experience at some of the world’s leading institutions.

Ford Diversity Fellowships Program
for seniors and graduates only
Through its fellowship programs, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
for graduates only
The GRFP is a prestigious, nationally competitive fellowship offered by the National Science Foundation that provides three years of financial support for beginning graduate study leading to a research-based degree in the STEM disciplines.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to students of exceptional academic achievement and scholarly promise for whom advanced study at Cambridge would be particularly appropriate. Successful applicants will have the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach to defining and solving problems. Awarded only to students who gain admission to Cambridge through the regular procedures. Covers the full cost of study at Cambridge for a single person. Applications should be completed by Sept. 12, 2025.

Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows
for undergraduates
The Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows offers rising college juniors opportunities in leadership development programs inspired by the life and legacy of George Washington and today’s foremost leaders. This residential summer fellowship is designed to create the next generation of the nation’s top leaders.

John Lewis Fellowship
for undergraduates
The John Lewis Fellowship honors U.S. Representative John Lewis, an icon of the Civil Rights Movement. The program explores the history of the Civil Rights Movement, diversity and minority rights in the United States, with a particular focus on Atlanta. Key areas of inquiry include race and racism, immigration, national identity, Native American issues and the relationship between civil rights and human rights. The fellowship will also discuss contemporary racial and diversity issues.

Humanity in Action Fellowship
for undergraduates
The Humanity in Action Fellowship brings together international groups of college students and recent graduates to explore national histories of injustice and resistance as they affect different minority groups today.

Fund for Education Abroad
for undergraduates
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) addresses the need for an independent study abroad scholarship provider. FEA is expanding access to study abroad by raising awareness of its benefits to the individual and value to the collective, and by granting scholarships of up to $10,000.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
for undergraduates
The Gilman International Scholarship Program is a Congressionally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is administered by the Institute of International Education. The Gilman Scholarship Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students of high financial need participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program or international internship eligible. Students studying a critical need language could be eligible to receive a grant of up to $8,000. The Gilman Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting U.S. undergraduates who might otherwise not consider these unique and valuable opportunities due to financial constraints.

U.S. Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria
The U.S. Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria provides U.S. college and university graduates with opportunities to work at secondary schools throughout Austria as teaching assistants.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)
The Freeman Foundation’s generous support for the relaunch of Freeman-ASIA builds on prior grants to IIE that funded more than 4,500 American undergraduates in Asia from 2001 to 2014. The newly available awards will advance the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad, a five-year initiative aiming to double the number of U.S. students abroad by the end of the decade, by mobilizing resources and commitments across the higher education, philanthropy and corporate sectors.

Schwarzman Scholars
Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China’s role in global trends. Students will live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, where all classes are taught in English. Students will pursue master’s degrees in one of three disciplines: public policy, economics and business, or international studies. Applications must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025.

The Student Health Center has partnered with ATSU to provide a free OMM clinic from 4-6 p.m. April 4 on the north side of the Kirk Building. The rain location is the third floor of the Kirk Building.

Truman’s Theatre Department will perform “Peter and the Starcatcher” by Rick Elice at 7:30 p.m. April 10-12 and April 16-17 with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. April 13 in the James Severns Theatre.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a magical prequel to Peter Pan that reimagines the origin of the beloved boy who never grows up. This wildly theatrical adventure follows a young orphan and his friends as they encounter pirates, a magical trunk of starstuff and a determined Starcatcher-in-training, Molly. With inventive staging and a playful spirit, this journey explores friendship, bravery and the magic of youth.

This play is directed by Jonathan Wehmeyer. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at boxoffice.truman.edu. For more information, contact the Truman Theatre Box Office at 660.785.4515 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 
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.
 

Union & Involvement Services is accepting room lottery requests for the fall 2025 until 5 p.m. April 4.

Recognized student organizations must be in good standing in order for requests to be processed. Any submissions received after 5 p.m. April 4 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis once lottery requests have been processed. Forms can be found here. Paper forms will not be accepted.

Contact the Union & Involvement Services Office at union@truman.edu or 660.785.4222 for more information.

 
Before the Final Four even begins, the Spike vs. Nugget grudge match is over.
 
Earlier this month, the University mascot and a turtle from the herpetarium in Magruder Hall, each filled out March Madness brackets for the men’s and women’s Division I NCAA tournaments. While Spike researched all the teams and scoured through piles of statistical data, Nugget made his choices by picking food placed on each team’s logo.
 
On the men’s side, Nugget secured the win with 33 points to Spike’s 27. After the last round, Spike’s bracket is completely busted. Nugget did get one team into the Final Four and his pick to win it all is still alive.
 
In the women’s bracket, Spike took an early lead the first weekend and remained in first place the entire tournament. He currently has 69 points to Nugget’s 34, and there are not enough remaining points for the standings to change.

Registration for summer classes is now open.

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.

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.

The University Board of Governors will meet at 1 p.m. April 5 in the Student Union Building Conference room 3000. The website is updated to include the open session agenda.

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 can take the accessibility and private bathrooms survey and add their email to enter a raffle for a $5 coffee voucher. The survey will close at 12 p.m. March 31.

Amy Norgard, associate professor of classics, organized and presided on a panel at the conference of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, March 22.

The panel, entitled “Gladiator at XXV and New Entries into the Arena,” was a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the release of Ridley Scott’s iconic film “Gladiator,” and a reflection of the myriad ways the film has impacted depictions of gladiators and the arena since its release. Drawing upon examples from television, film, video games and music, the papers on this panel showcased different areas of popular culture viewed as “inheritors” of the arena as a locus of power and personal agency - including the 2024 sequel, “Gladiator II.” This panel was sponsored by Antiquity in Media Studies, an academic organization of which Norgard is currently the president.

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.