Vol. 31 No. 10 - October 19, 2026

Truman will celebrate Homecoming on campus Oct. 19-24.

This year’s theme, “Home Sweet Homecoming,” highlights the traditions and pride that weave the Truman community together. The week’s festivities will benefit the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center, an institution that provides services supporting the needs of people within the autism community. Money raised through this year’s Homecoming events will aid the development of the facility and the needs of those it serves.

The week will start tie-dying from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 19 on the quad. Participants can bring their own clothes to tie-dye or be one of the first 200 people to receive a free homecoming shirt to customize. This event is free and open to everyone while supplies last.

Porch Swing Predictions will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Participants will compete with an organization or friends by guessing student survey results, predicting prices and identifying popular answers in Truman Over Under and Truman Feud. Although team signups have already closed, audience members will also have a chance to participate and win food truck vouchers.

A button making station will be set up from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Student Union Building. Bulldogs and fans can stop by and show off their Truman spirit by designing a custom game day button. Participants can decorate their own or choose from a variety of premade designs.

The annual lip sync competition will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here or at the door. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Family Cruise, a watercraft relay, will take place at 4 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Pershing Natatorium. Organizations will race homemade cardboard boats across the water of Pershing pool, competing for homecoming points based on race performance, creative boat designs and team spirit. While participation is limited to official Homecoming teams, everyone is welcome to come cheer their friends or favorite group and see which boats stay afloat. Teams must register by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 20. 

The Homecoming parade will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 24 on Franklin Street, running from downtown Kirksville and through campus. Student organizations, marching bands and local groups will participate in the parade. Tailgating will take place starting at 11 a.m. on the southwest corner of Patterson and Franklin streets. The event will include food, music, games and activities, and is open to students, alumni, employees and community members. Football will face Southwest Baptist University at 1:30 p.m. at Stokes Stadium. During halftime the Homecoming honorees will be recognized and the philanthropy check will be presented.

Alumni Rod and Kathy Cooper will be featured as the next guests in the TRU-Entrepreneur Series, presenting together at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Pickler Memorial Library Villhard Innovation Lab.

The Coopers are the co-owners of RKCC Real Estate Holdings and RKCC Coaching and Speaking LLC, building upon the businesses with their extensive backgrounds in sales and operations.

As a successful sales/business professional Rod retired at the age of 49 to co-manage his real estate holdings and help others achieve their dreams. Prior to retiring in 2015, he was managing director for a national accounting and business consulting firm. He was responsible for new client development, growing the firm’s public awareness, and sales consulting with companies on top-line growth and management-related issues. Rod’s business roles have included president/owner, entrepreneur, managing director, vice president of sales, vice president of operations, director of sales and branch manager. He was named to the Top 100 People to Know in St. Louis Small Business Monthly in 2011 and was the 2008 Truman Business Alumnus of the Year, as well as the recipient of the 2024 Truman Distinguished Service Award.

Kathy began her career in retail with Dillard's department stores, later transitioning into business development for Hampton Corporate Suites, a St. Louis based corporate housing company. Her experience with Hampton helped set the stage as the property manager for RKCC Real Estate Holdings in 2010. Soon after, she acquired her real estate license in 2011. Kathy now works as a buyer's and listing agent and handles RKCC Real Estate Holdings property purchases, sales, tenant acquisition and lease negotiations.

Rod and Kathy met on Truman’s campus, graduating side by side as members of the class of 1988 with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and clothing/textiles retailing, respectively. Their two daughters, Chaney Cooper (’18) and Courtney Cooper (’15), are also Truman graduates.

Students interested in living on campus during the 2027-28 school year can make arrangements to do so now. 

Living on campus provides students with a built-in community of peers, as well as access to the “Happening on Thursday” events to make memories with friends or meet new people living in their community. 

All campus residence halls offer a variety of amenities, including furnished rooms, access to laundry facilities and a meal plan. On-campus residents also have all of their utility costs included in the price of their room. More information about applying to live on campus for the 2027-28 academic year can be found here.

There are many on-campus living options to choose from, including single-, double- and triple-occupancy residence hall rooms, as well as single- and double-occupancy apartments available in Campbell. Deluxe double apartments allow each roommate to have their own private bedroom in a shared apartment. Deluxe double spaces are limited and upper-class students who apply for housing and follow the room self-selection timeline outlined here will have priority in being able to select deluxe accommodations while supplies last.

Housing renewal applications are currently open on TruView. Under the “Student” tab, click on “Student Housing/Residence Life.” Room selection will take place in the spring semester. Questions about the housing process can be directed to Residence Life at 660.785.4227 or reslife@truman.edu.

Student Engagement will host food trucks on campus from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 23.

Students, employees and community members are invited to enjoy various local food trucks on Truman’s campus. Trucks will be stationed in the parking lot between the Student Union Building and Magruder Hall. Participating trucks include Buck-Eats, LaPa, Uncle Kristi's Doughnuts, and Zydeco's Cajun Kitchen. The parking lot will be blocked off to accommodate the trucks and to set up tables and chairs for diners.

Students and employees who may have received vouchers during move-in and Truman Week activities can redeem them at any of the food trucks. The $5 vouchers can be stacked up to $10 to apply toward the cost of a meal. Cash and card will also be accepted methods of payment. Meal swipes and Bonus Bucks cannot be used at the food trucks.

The University will host prospective students and their families during Truman Experience Weekend, Nov. 6-7. 
 
The Truman Experience Weekend offers multiple opportunities for future students and their families to discover what Truman has to offer. Flexible scheduling allows for guests to personalize their visit and make the most of their time on campus through tailored presentations, special events and personal interactions. The complete itinerary for the weekend can be found at truman.edu/experience. Updates will be reflected as they are announced.
 
Friday evening President Sue Thomas will be on hand to engage with students in a unique activity. Entertainment options Friday include a historical night tour of campus by Kirksville mayor and Truman alumnus Zac Burden beginning at 7 p.m. The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium will provide a tour of the galaxy at 7 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m. there will be a performance of the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish. 
 
On Saturday, dining halls will be open for breakfast and lunch. The event kicks off with opportunities to meet faculty and student support services, as well as learn more about the admissions process and Truman experience.
 
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about many aspects of Truman throughout the day with presentations from academic programs, study abroad, Residence Life, the Office of Community Engagement and Financial Aid, among others. 
 
Tours will be available of the entire campus, as well as residence halls and the Student Recreation Center. Visitors should also keep an eye out for Spike, the University mascot, and a vintage Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. 
  
The Truman Experience Weekend is one of a variety of visit options for prospective students. The University continues to conduct individual in-person visits – complete with campus tours – every weekday. Select Saturday showings are also now available, and other arrangements can be made for special circumstances.
 
Prospective students and their families interested in attending the Truman Experience Weekend can find more information at truman.edu/experience. Details about specific events will be posted to the site as they become available. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 660.785.4114 or admissions@truman.edu.
 
Applications for admission are open for the 2027-28 academic year. More information can be found at truman.edu/admission-cost/apply-to-truman.

There will be a campuswide open house from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 22 providing students and employees an opportunity to see the new spaces of recently relocated offices. 
 
As some campus buildings have been reconfigured and repurposed, a number of University offices and specialty areas have been moved to new locations. Anyone visiting all the spaces in the allotted time will receive a prize. Starting in Kirk Building, participants can pick up a “passport.” Each location participating in the open house will have a unique “stamp,” and once each stamp has been collected, a prize can be picked up in Kirk Building. 
 
Areas participating in the open house, Oct. 22, include: 
 
Kirk Building
Main Lobby
 
Library Board Game Collection
Pickler Memorial Library 107
 
Office of Community Enrichment
Baldwin Hall 104
 
Center for International Students
Baldwin Hall 109
 
Women’s Resource Center
Baldwin Hall 110
 
Remodeled Specialty Classrooms
Baldwin Hall 308
 
Public Relations/Publications/Marketing
McClain Hall 206
 
Forensics Squad Room
McClain Hall 302
 
Prayer and Mediation Spaces
Student Union Building 1110
 
E-Sports
Magruder Hall 2005
 
Physical Plant
Barnett Hall 1100
 
Department of Public Safety
Barnett Hall 1202

The Missouri Government Internship Program is open to all majors and provides students with the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in the fast-paced world of state politics. Selected interns will work as full-time staff assistants with a legislator or state public official. By interning at the Missouri Capitol, students will expand their knowledge of state government, build a diversified professional network and establish a basis for future professional positions.

Many former interns have gone on to serve as legislative directors, chiefs of staff, judicial clerks, policy analysts, lobbyists and public officials as a direct result of what they learned and the connections they made as interns. The varying daily tasks throughout each office could include attending public hearings, completing legislative research, writing and editing published materials, constituent relations or assisting with basic office work.

Interns will receive a monthly stipend to help pay expenses and 15 hours of Truman credit. Interested students can click here for more information.

All questions about Homecoming should be directed to Matthew Freitag, Homecoming coordinator, at homecoming@truman.edu. 

Applications are now open for the Student Representative to the Truman State University Foundation Board. 

This is a unique opportunity for students to connect with accomplished alumni and University leaders, gain firsthand experience with nonprofit and board leadership and add a distinctive leadership role to their resume. The student representative brings the student perspective to the Foundation Board while helping fellow students better understand how philanthropy supports the Truman experience. Those interested can learn more about the role and apply here. Applications are due Oct. 20.

Celebrate the Student Union Building’s 59th birthday from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 20 on the Student Union Building mall. Snacks will be provided.

Clubs, organizations or individuals interested in volunteering should contact Tyana Lange, vice president for student engagement and marketing, at tyana@truman.edu.

Additional information can be found at studyabroad.truman.edu/programs/faculty-led or by emailing Stacey Davis, associate professor of Spanish, at sdavis@truman.edu.

In honor of the Halloween season, a spooky tour of the (alleged) campus ghosts will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 starting on the Quad outside Baldwin Hall. The tour, led by paranormal skeptic and campus lore enthusiast Zac Burden, director of citizenship and conduct, will walk to five campus locations and last approximately one hour.

Fraternity and Sorority Life will host a “Halloween Town” party from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 in Student Union Building Georgian Room A. Students are encouraged to attend in costume to enjoy various games, giveaways, snacks and prizes for the best costumes of the night.

In celebration of Home Sweet Homecoming, a new exhibit about the history of Homecoming at Truman is on display now through Nov. 1 in the first-floor gallery of Pickler Memorial Library. The objects and photographs displayed highlight Homecoming through the decades, featuring football, parade floats and Homecoming royalty. The exhibit was curated by the staff of Special Collections and University Archives.

A funding information night will take place at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in Student Union Building 3000 to discuss and answer questions about the fund request process. The application is for any organization that is requesting funds from the Funds Allotment Council general fund and any organization applying for Inter-Collegiate Activities funding. This form can be completed online. Questions should be directed to fac@truman.edu.

Any member of the Truman community can now propose a project, supply or equipment idea to the Athletic Fee Accountability Committee for consideration. Projects should enhance the athletic facilities or equipment on Truman’s campus. The purpose of this proposal is to introduce the project to the committee. Submissions should include as much information as possible, but the committee will assist in refining them.

Individuals that are passionate about the environment and want a direct say in how Truman funds green initiatives are encouraged to apply. Applications can be completed at senate.truman.edu/application. Questions regarding specific position duties or Student Government in general should be directed to Ben Croat, Student Government president, at xa38447@truman.edu.

Interested students should apply by Nov. 13 for scholarship consideration. Additional information can be found at studyabroad.truman.edu/programs/faculty-led or by emailing Yung-hwal Park, professor of business administration, at yhpark@truman.edu.

The Truman Forensics Team began the fall semester with multiple wins among virtual and in-person tournaments.

Forensics secured wins at the online tournaments Back to the Nest, hosted by Illinois State University, and Pride of the Preseason, hosted by Hofstra University, as well as an impressive showing at the Jackrabbit Joust and SDSU Alumni Tournament at South Dakota State University. 

Pride of the Preseason kicked off the season virtually and saw Grayson Russell, first-year environmental science major, take fifth in After-Dinner Speaking, marking the team's first qualifying event to nationals this year and the first of Russell’s collegiate career. Ashton Mullen, fourth-year political science and international relations major, was also a semi-finalist in Impromptu Speaking. While the individual events team members warmed up for the season, the debate team members did just as well at the virtual Washburn Warmup, hosted by Washburn University, the same weekend.

Things started heating up as team members traveled north to Brookings, South Dakota, to face off at the Jackrabbit Joust and SDSU Alumni tournaments. Teams at the Jackrabbit Joust competed in parliamentary debate, with the two-person team consisting of Cooper Spacil, third-year political science and international relations and social issues advocacy double major, and Nick Williams, first-year social issues advocacy major, clinching the tournament championship. They were joined by teams of Lauren Weiss, third-year biology major, and Jack Unsell, second-year environmental science major, as semifinalists, and Sawyer Partney, third-year political science and international relations and economics double major, and Ryan Franklin, third-year statistics major, as quarterfinalists. Spacil and Unsell also placed first and third in speaking awards, respectively. 

Outside of debate rounds and in public address events, Annie Nguyen, second-year political science and international relations major, took home first place in Rhetorical Criticism, qualifying for nationals, joined by Willow Adamson, second-year psychology major, in fourth. Nguyen also placed second in Informative Speaking, qualifying for nationals, along with Unsell in fifth. In After-Dinner Speaking, Partney took fifth, qualifying for nationals. A pairing of Adamson and Spacil took first in Duo Interpretation, also qualifying for nationals. Overall, the team took second in Team Sweepstakes, which is a cumulative measure of the team’s performance across all event entries. 

Truman topped the first day’s performance at the SDSU Alumni Tournament. Nguyen reprised her victory in Rhetorical Criticism, taking first, followed by Williams in third, Adamson in fourth and Spacil in fifth; the latter all qualifying for nationals. Nguyen then went on to seize first in Informative Speaking. Unsell moved forward with a first-place victory in Impromptu Speaking, followed by Weiss in fifth, both qualifying for nationals. In Extemporaneous Speaking, Partney claimed second, followed by Spacil in third and Unsell in fifth, all qualifying for nationals. Partney rose in After-Dinner Speaking, taking second. In Persuasive Speaking, Weiss took fifth, qualifying for nationals. Adamson placed sixth in Prose Interpretation, making the final qualification for the national tournament. In Team Sweepstakes, Truman took first overall, beating notable competitors University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Northwest Missouri State, as well as strong regional competitor Concordia University-Nebraska. 

“It was great being back at SDSU and even better walking away with a tournament championship. Despite our huge success, it is still early in the season and the team is hungry to keep getting better,” said Lars Wagener, assistant director of forensics.

On top of all the success away, there was still success to be found at home. In the Back to the Nest online tournament, hosted by Illinois State University, Jack Schroeder, third-year history major, placed sixth in Extemporaneous Speaking, qualifying for nationals.

Truman recently welcomed collaborators from the University of Missouri College of Engineering and the College of Education and Human Development. The NSF-funded research initiative, focused on virtual reality and chip manufacturing, provided an opportunity to highlight the application of immersive technologies to semiconductor education and its connection to student learning at Truman.

Truman's Kappa Nu chapter of Beta Alpha Psi has been awarded Gold status for the 2025-26 academic year, recognized at the organization's annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Beta Alpha Psi is the international honor organization for financial information students and professionals. Under the tiered structure introduced with KPMG in 2023-24, Gold is the second of four levels — above Silver and Bronze — and is awarded to chapters that consistently meet high benchmarks in professional development, service and academic engagement.
 
In the recognition letter, Beta Alpha Psi's president notes that the chapter has far exceeded the organization's baseline requirements, excelling in academics, professionalism and ethical leadership. The chapter's faculty advisor, Liz Diers, associate professor of accounting, is also named directly in the letter for her “exceptional leadership.”