Vol. 30 No. 24 - March 2, 2026

Recipients must be enrolled full-time during the term of the scholarship to receive scholarship funds. Applications can be submitted and revised at any time prior to the March 6 deadline. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Scholarships, Financial Aid & Loans then Foundation Scholarship Application. Additional information can be found at truman.edu/giving/establish-a-scholarship/applying-for-foundation-scholarships.

These scholarships are available thanks to the private gifts of alumni and friends of the University.

Lauro’s presentation will focus on the most recent developments in zombie mythos in films such as “28 Years Later,” with its differently embodied zombies, and “Weapons,” which some critics have argued is a zombie film. Her research compares the thought of zombies acting as a cultural barometer to provide insight into stock market trends or political outcomes with that of horror films simply being made for society’s worst fears to be dramatized in ways that makes them feel less terrifying.

Hosted by the Department of English, the Ofstad Visiting Scholar Program is available thanks to the generosity and vision of Odessa Ofstad in creating Truman’s first-ever endowed chair. The Ofstad Visiting Scholar Program brings renowned guest writers and scholars from around the world to the Truman campus. During their stay, these talented scholars offer a range of workshops, lectures and readings.

Additional information can be found on the School of Arts and Humanities Instagram or on their website.

The forensics program offers a broad range of events for student participation. Students can participate in NFA Lincoln-Douglas Debate and any of the 11 NFA individual speaking events (IEs) offered. Many students cross-over and participate in both debate and IEs, but often choose to specialize in one area.

Applications are available at forensics.truman.edu/joinus and close March 16. Applications consist of the online form submission, as well as a letter of interest, a letter of recommendation and a video demonstration that must be emailed to forensicstruman@gmail.com. Additionally, incoming students’ application materials will automatically be considered for renewable scholarship opportunities. Current students may also submit a letter of interest and a video demonstration to be considered for a service scholarship, but only if funds allow.

To learn more about Truman Forensics, visit forensics.truman.edu or @trumanforensicunion on Instagram. Additional information about applications can be found at forensics.truman.edu/joinus. Any questions regarding the audition process can be addressed to Ben Davis, director of forensics, at bdavis@truman.edu. 

Student Engagement and Union and Involvement Services will host Barbie Bingo in honor of National Barbie Day. 

National Barbie Day is celebrated yearly, on March 9, to commemorate the day Barbie was first created by Ruth Handler and launched by Mattel in 1959. The doll was originally created for girls to see themselves represented in various roles, from a doctor to a pilot, but has only expanded since. Recently, Mattel released the first-ever Barbie with Autism, designed to reflect some of the ways individuals on the autism spectrum interact with the world. This doll, joined with a vast line of Barbies representing people with other disabilities, allows nearly everyone to feel connected to the 67-year-old brand.

Nominations for Truman faculty members to be recognized at the annual Academic Accolades Banquet in April are now open.

Every year, through Student Government, the student body will select four professors to receive four different awards: Educator of the Year, Research Mentor of the Year, Health and Wellness Honoree and the new Outstanding Faculty Ally award. This is an opportunity for students to show appreciation to educators and research mentors for their commitment to the Truman community and highlight their accomplishments. 

Students can read further descriptions of each award or make a nomination in this form. Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 4. 

Union and Involvement Services will host workshops throughout the semester that cover some commonly asked questions and topics from student organizations. 

Publicity and Advertising on Campus 
6 p.m.
March 4
Magruder Hall 2001

Reserving Space on Campus
6 p.m.
April 7
Violette Hall 1010

Publicity and Advertising on Campus 
6 p.m.
April 14
Violette Hall 1010

While focus will primarily be geared toward student organizations, any student is welcome to attend to learn more about this process and resources available on campus. For questions, please reach out to orgs@truman.edu.

ATSU Behavioral Health and Wellness will offer free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training March 7.

This virtual training provides individuals with the skills to recognize when someone is facing mental health or substance use challenges, as well as the confidence to be their first source of support.

Additional information can be found at mentalhealthfirstaid.org. Register by contacting Thomas Barhorst, ATSU counselor, at thomasbarhorst@atsu.edu or by phone at 660.216.2138.

The Truman Institute for Academic Outreach will host the new Truman Band Academy for high school students, June 7-11. 

Students will have the full campus experience, including staying in residence halls, enjoying campus dining and meeting fellow musicians from across the Midwest. Under the orchestration of Curran Prendergast, Truman’s director of bands, students will participate in daily full-band rehearsals, instrument sectionals led by University faculty and interactive electives designed to enhance musicianship and creativity. At the end of the week, students will perform a full-ensemble concert to showcase their work. 

Applications for the Academy are due March 15 and require two complete years of transcripts, contact information for an educator recommendation and a completed signature page. Applications are not completed until all materials are received. 

Tuition is $500 and includes housing and meals, all activities, a t-shirt and additional materials. Once acceptance is confirmed, $250 must be paid by April 16 to secure the student’s spot, with the remaining tuition being paid no later than May 14.

Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s Leadership Recognition Program.

The LRP is designed to honor Truman students, organizations and advisors for their dedication to their peers, organizations, campus and the Kirksville community through various leadership roles during the academic year. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate exceptional student leaders, advisors, organizations and events on campus.

Submissions for the LRP are taken online only. A link to the nomination form can be found at involvement.truman.edu/leadership-recognition-program. Multiple nominations for individuals or organizations are welcome. Details about all of the awards can be found in the nomination packet available here. Nominations will close at 5 p.m. March 16.

TruPoets, the campus poetry club, will host an open mic night from 7:30-8:30 p.m. March 18 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

There are no signups. Everyone is welcome to share their poems and listen to others share their own.

The Student Activity Board’s annual spring survey is now open. 

The survey is open until March 20 and is available at sab.truman.edu. Anyone who fills out the survey will be entered into a raffle for a prize. Students must be logged into their Truman email to submit a response. 

The Office of Student Research is accepting abstract submissions for the 2026 Student Research Conference.

This conference is a University-wide celebration of student research, scholarship and creative achievement and will take place April 16.

Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts. Submissions are welcome for oral, poster, performance art and studio art presentations. Abstracts must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 20 and be sponsored by a Truman faculty or staff member. Students should work with their mentor before submitting.

Complete abstract guidelines are posted on the Office of Student Research website. The website will be updated with additional details for this year’s event once they are finalized.

Volunteer and service sign-ups for the Big Event, taking place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 28, are now open. 

As a way of saying thanks to the Kirksville community, Truman students, alumni, faculty and staff are participating in the 25th annual Big Event. Hundreds of volunteers will provide services to the residents of the community by raking leaves, washing windows, painting and more. The Big Event gives Truman the opportunity to show appreciation for all the support the Kirksville community has offered to them.

Those interested in volunteering can sign up here. Sign-ups for volunteers will close March 20. 

Kirksville residents and non-profit businesses interested in receiving volunteer service can sign up here. Sign-ups for residents and non-profit businesses will close March 20.

The Environmental Sustainability Fee Accountability Committee (ESFAC) is currently accepting campus sustainability project proposals.

Project proposals should be focused on enhancing sustainability on campus. They are judged based on environmental benefit, cost-effectiveness, visibility, student impact and opinion, contribution to Truman’s image, feasibility and time sensitivity. 

Most projects approved by ESFAC will receive funding for the 2026-27 calendar year and are intended to be completed within that year. However, the committee also allocates funding to one ongoing project that will take multiple years to complete. Their last major project, installing solar panels at the University farm, has concluded and they are welcoming submissions for a new major project.

The Children’s Literature Festival will return to the Truman campus, March 27.

The event will feature 12 authors to share their books with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in the northeast Missouri region. This year’s lineup includes Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson, Tamika Burgess, Rob Buyea, Heather Murphy Capps, Megan E. Freeman, Sarah Guillory, Matt Heagerty, Varian Johnson, Meg Eden Kuyatt, Brandon Mull and Taryn Sanders. More information about them can be found on the CLF website.

Students will participate in 30-minute sessions with the guest authors. All schools or individuals attending must be pre-registered. Registration can be completed online at childrensliteraturefestival.truman.edu. 

In addition to the traditional literature festival activities, the Truman Theatre Department will perform “Lions in Illyria,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” at 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This animal-themed show, best suited for third through seventh grade students, follows a young lion named Violet as she navigates a new island after being shipwrecked in a storm. “Lions in Illyria” has central themes of love and kindness but also touches on themes such as the loss of a loved one, bullying and friendship.  

Those attending the literature festival in the morning could eat lunch on campus and attend the 12:30 p.m. performance of “Lions in Illyria” Those attending in the afternoon could arrive early for the 9:45 a.m. performance, eat lunch and then attend the literature festival. 

All the authors will be signing books from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Union Building Conference Room. There is no cost to attend the book signing, and it is open to the public. 

At 6 p.m. there will be banquet in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Attendees can choose to sit at the table with any of the authors. Cost for the banquet is $20 for all guests, and seating is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration can be completed online on the CLF website. The deadline for banquet registration is March 25.

The exhibition featuring pieces from Truman art club members will be on display in the library café now through May 8. 

The Office of Community Enrichment (OCE) is hiring candidates for various positions for the 2026-27 academic year.

Open positions include event manager, social media manager, pride exchange manager, webmaster, newsletter manager and TRUSelf mentors. All students are encouraged to apply. Applications can be submitted at trupositions.truman.edu.

The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Tutoring Center is hiring academic peer tutors for the 2026-27 academic year. 

This is a scholarship or work-study position, three to four hours per week, with initial training and additional training throughout employment. Tutors provide academic support to their peers with one-on-one instruction for specific courses, subjects or learning strategies support.

All majors are welcome to apply. The Center is particularly seeking tutors for ACCT 220/221; BIOL 107;  BSAD; Communication Disorders; Computer Science; DATA 222; Economics; Health Science; LING 238; Math; Nursing; PHYS 185;  Statistics; and Learning Strategies.

To qualify, students must maintain scholarship eligibility, be a sophomore or above and have successfully completed the course they plan to tutor with an "A" or "B."

Upward Bound is currently seeking Truman juniors, seniors or graduate students to serve as residential mentors for the 2026 Summer Academy. 

Upward Bound participants are income-eligible students from Northeast Missouri high schools, and the Academy is designed to help prepare underrepresented students for success in college.

Dates of employment are May 28-July 1, with most weekends free. Successful applicants are responsible, high-energy, interested in working with adolescents and possess an understanding of educational barriers experienced by low-income/first-generation college applicants.

The Truman State University Foundation 2026-27 Foundation Scholarship applications are now available.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time during the term of the scholarship to receive scholarship funds. Applications can be submitted and revised at any time prior to the March 6 deadline. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Scholarships, Financial Aid & Loans then Foundation Scholarship Application.

The Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation will offer the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship, named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy. Born in 1914 on a farm near Macon, Purdy was the first in his family to attend a four-year college. He worked in the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture before becoming the campus’s first director of scholarships and student financial aid.

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 student aid index (SAI), unmet need and other factors.

Applicants must: be a Missouri resident; be an undergraduate second-, third- or fourth-year student for the 2026-27 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.