Vol. 20 No. 2 - Aug. 31, 2015

For the second consecutive year, Truman has earned the No. 2 spot in the Master’s University category of the annual Washington Monthly College Rankings.
 
Truman was again the No. 1 public school on the Master’s University list and is the only Missouri public institution in the entire top 100.
 
As is the case with several other publications, Truman has become a fixture in the Washington Monthly College Rankings, which are unique in that they are based primarily on civic engagement, research and social mobility. Schools receive high marks for contributing to society, enrolling low-income students, helping them graduate and keeping costs affordable.
 
“As a public university, I feel we have a duty to not only prepare our graduates, but also to instill in them the belief that they have the ability and the obligation to contribute to the greater good,” University President Troy D. Paino said. “It’s great to see a publication recognizing that important aspect of education, and the fact that Truman rates high on this list just reaffirms what we have been trying to accomplish here for years.”
 
Truman garnered additional praise in the overall introduction to this year’s rankings. In the “Hidden Gems” section, Washington Monthly editors noted that many universities across the country “serve as the workhorse institutions of American higher education, providing affordable degrees with strong ties to regional economies,” and specifically praised Truman for its graduation rates, affordable tuition and success at enrolling students in both the Peace Corps and the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
 
Washington Monthly is a bimonthly nonprofit magazine covering politics, government, culture and the media. The college guide and rankings appear in the magazine’s September/October issue. The complete 2015 rankings and feature stories can be found at washingtonmonthly.com/college-rankings.

Truman is taking steps to make its campus more energy efficient, which will lead to economic savings for the school and tremendous benefits for the environment.
 
With the help of Energy Solutions Professionals of Overland Park, Kan., Truman is making a wide variety of improvements in 25 campus buildings, all in an effort to reduce the University’s annual energy expenditures as well as its carbon footprint.

The improvements, ranging from installing new light fixtures to updating the heating, cooling and ventilation systems of multiple buildings, are estimated to save the University more than $1 million annually, which will eventually offset the initial $10.5 million cost. 
 
“Above all else, these implementations are investments,” University President Troy Paino said. “They make good fiscal sense for Truman over time, and any actions we can take that have a positive effect on the environment are priceless.”
 
Although the economic impact will be realized over time, the environmental aspects of the updates will be seen immediately. All totaled, the changes will reduce Truman’s consumption of natural gas, electricity and water, lowering the school’s carbon footprint by approximately 20 million pounds of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of the annual emissions of more than 2,000 passenger vehicles. The amount of water saved each year would be enough to fill nearly 14 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
 
Work on the energy-saving measures in the 16-month plan began this summer. Some of the notable changes that will occur include: the replacement of more than 1,900 faucets, toilets, urinals, showerheads and icemakers; several new or re-lamped fluorescent and LED light fixtures; more than 400 new occupancy sensors; new energy management controls in multiple buildings; and improvements to the heating, cooling and ventilation systems in McClain Hall, Magruder Hall, Pershing Building, Pickler Memorial Library and the Student Recreation Center.
 
In recent years, energy efficiency has been a high priority at Truman. The President’s Sustainability Action Committee has researched and implemented multiple steps to reduce energy on campus and to protect the environment. TRU Impact, the University’s energy and conservation program, includes five focus areas to achieve those goals, including student and employee action plans, as well as plans for energy conservation, commissioning and benchmarking, and building retrofits and new construction.

Jennifer Hurst and Michael Rudy were recently named recipients of the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award at Truman.

The Lee Advising Award pays tribute to excellent advisers and demonstrates how important academic advising is at Truman. Recipients of the Lee Advising Award are nominated by students and colleagues and are ultimately selected by a committee.

Hurst, an associate professor of exercise science, began teaching at Truman in 2005. She teaches classes in sport psychology, sociology of sport, athletic training and research methods. She received her bachelor’s degree from Carthage College and her first master’s degree from the University of Illinois—Chicago. Hurst earned her second master’s degree and doctorate of education from West Virginia University. She serves as the chair of the Disability Studies Committee.

Rudy, an assistant professor of political science, began teaching at Truman in 2009. He teaches classes in American national government, international relations, methodology, comparative politics, senior seminar, political thought, peace and security, politics and war, and American foreign relations. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville and earned his master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. Rudy earned his Ph.D from the University of Missouri. He has been published in journals such as International Interactions, Conflict Management and Peace Science.

Dr. Jeanne Stephens Lee Blackmar established the award in honor of her late husband, who was president of the University’s Board of Governors during the 1970s. Two academic advisers are selected annually for the award, which includes a $1,000 development fund stipend to be used for advising conferences or institutes, research materials and other relevant items.

The 2015 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series will bring a wide selection of events to campus this year with the goal to broaden the cultural experiences of students, faculty, staff and the community.  

The Lyceum Series can be traced to a series of speakers sponsored by the Young Men’s Christian Association (together with the American School of Osteopathy) during 1899, the first year of John R. Kirk’s college presidency. Kirk was vitally interested in broadening the cultural experiences of future teachers and giving students worthwhile activities. Lyceum, the name chosen for the series, is derived from the Greek word Lykeion, which referred to a temple of Apollo close to Athens and by extension a nearby open tract of land where the intellectuals of the day, most notably Aristotle, held scholarly debates. In 1997, in honor of Dr. Gilbert C. Kohlenberg’s leadership as the chair of the Lyceum committee for more than 30 years, the Series was officially named the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

Tickets are free for Truman students, faculty and staff and they may be picked up in the Student Union Building.  Tickets for the following events are available one to two weeks before each performance. A limited number of general admission tickets may be purchased for $11 per ticket (includes state sales tax) one to two weeks before each performance. All of the events will take place in Baldwin Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

“At the Movies”
7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26
“At the Movies” is the theme of a fun and exciting program to be presented by the Truman Department of Music.   

The Official Blues Brothers Revue
7:30 p.m.
Oct. 28
Created by Dan Aykroyd, Judy Belushi and musical director Paul Shaffer, this live concert combines the comedy and hits from the original movie and pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel and soul music.  

Christmas with The Celts
Dec. 5
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the season with the Celts who are known for their brilliant musicianship as well as their spontaneous, quick Irish wit on stage and in their playful, yet unpredictable, interactions with audiences.

Vocalosity
Feb.  2
7:30 p.m.
Created by Deke Sharon, who produced the hugely popular “The Sing-Off” and served as on-site music director and vocal producer for Universal’s “Pitch Perfect,” this fast-paced a cappella production features 12 dynamic voices singing some of today’s chart-topping hits.

Million Dollar Quartet Musical
Feb. 24
7:30 p.m.
Million Dollar Quartet is the smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

Jim White, “McFarland, USA”
Co-Sponsored by the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, the Multicultural Affairs Center and Ekklesia
7 p.m.
Sept. 16
Jim White, whose story inspired the movie “McFarland, USA,” starring Kevin Costner, will be on campus to discuss his life, the movie and the importance of attitude.

Members of the Higher Learning Commission Leadership Team, comprised of faculty, staff and a student representative, were recognized at the Fall Open Assembly, Aug. 12, for their hard work in helping Truman achieve full accreditation. This group of individuals was responsible for the success of the HLC visit, March 2-3.

The Institutional Actions Council of the HLC affirmed the accreditation of Truman through 2024-25. The report from the HLC visiting team was positive, noting that all criteria for reaffirmation had been met and no interim monitoring was recommended.

Pictured, front row, left to right: Sue Thomas, Kevin Minch, Lou Ann Gilchrist, Deborah Engen, Nancy Asher and Karen Vittengl. Back row: Jim O’Donnell, Maggie Herron, Richard Coughlin, Ian Lindevald, Scott Alberts and John Bohac. Not pictured: Clayton Berry.

The Public Relations Office has named Erin Cicotte, a senior business and communication major, as the Fall 2015 intern.

Cicotte is from St. Louis, Mo., and is a 2012 graduate of Ursuline Academy. She is the daughter of Gerard and Deborah Cicotte.

As the intern for the Public Relations Office, Cicotte will help write the online University newsletter, the Truman Today. She will also help produce the University’s alumni magazine, the Truman Review. Cicotte will assist in coordinating Family Day activities, along with preparation for the Missouri Government Internship program.

Having previously served as a Greek Life summer intern for Truman, Cicotte is excited to once again work alongside faculty and staff to gain real world experience.

On campus, Cicotte is an active member and has leadership roles in Alpha Sigma Alpha, Cardinal Key National Honor Society and American Marketing Association. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication association honor society.

She plans to pursue a career in public relations, marketing or human resources.

The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Merchants Committee and Kirksville businesses are inviting all new Truman students downtown for a Kirksville welcome, from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 13 on the square.

Businesses, churches and organizations will have tables set up on the courthouse lawn offering coupons, product samples and more.

There will be free food for students presenting a Truman ID. For more information, call 660.665.3766.

The Student Recreation Center will have special hours during Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-7. Regular hours will resume Sept. 8

Sept. 4
6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sept. 5
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sept. 6
11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sept. 7
11 a.m.-11 p.m.


Regular Hours

Mondays-Thursdays
6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Fridays
6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturdays
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sundays
11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Ever thought about ways to include your study abroad experience on a resume or an application? A representative from the Career Center will be giving a short seminar on the multiple ways you can apply all of the benefits of your study abroad experience. The session will take place at 5 p.m., Sept. 2 in Violette Hall 1140.

 
Poets Maryfrances Wagner and Greg Field will be on the Truman campus for a joint reading at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium.
 
This reading is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Department of English and Linguistics as part of the for.WORDS Reading Series.
 
Field is also a drummer, presently with the improvisational group River Cow Orchestra, an artist, whose paintings are featured in several private collections, a chemist and a network administrator. His poetry has appeared in many journals, including New Letters, Laurel Review and Karamu. His book, “The Longest Breath,” was a Thorpe Menn Finalist. He co-edits the I-70 Review. His latest book is “Black Heart,” with Mammoth Press.
 
Maryfrances Wagner’s books include “Salvatore’s Daughter,” “Red Silk,” winner of the Thorpe Menn Book Award, “Light Subtracts Itself,” “Dioramas” and “Pouf.” Her poems have appeared in literary magazines, anthologies and textbooks, including “Unsettling America: An Anthology of Contemporary Multicultural Poetry” and “The Dream Book, an Anthology of Writings by Italian-American Women,” winner of the American Book Award. She is co-editor of I-70 Review and co-edited the Whirlybird Anthology of Greater Kansas City Writers.

The Truman baseball coaching staff will host a Fall Prospect Camp Sept. 13 at the Truman Baseball Field. The camp is limited to 60 campers between the ages of 15-18.

Head coach Dan Davis and assistant Zak Larkin will instruct and evaluate campers on pitching, hitting and defense through pro-style tryout, primary position drills and live games during the day that will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Of the 60 spots available, 24 are reserved for pitchers, 28 for position players and eight for catchers. Cost is $100 per camper with sign-ups ending on Sept. 9. Sept. 27 is the rain date for the camp.

For more information, contact Dan Davis at dandavis@truman.

Truman’s annual Family Day is scheduled for Sept. 19 and the campus has a variety of activities planned throughout the weekend for students and their families.

This year’s events are designed to provide families with information and entertainment from the University and the surrounding Kirksville community.

Friday, Sept. 18, the women’s and men’s soccer teams will play Lewis University. Fireside Friday will also take place in the Student Union Building HUB from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. There will be live music and food.

Saturday, Sept. 19 kicks off with a Truman baseball scrimmage at 10 a.m. Library tours will also be available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

At 10:30 a.m. at the Stokes Stadium, Phi Kappa Tau will host a 5K Run. Proceeds will benefit the USO. Click here for details or to sign up.

The Truman softball team will have a scrimmage at 11 a.m. The University Art Gallery Faculty Exhibit runs from 12-4:30 p.m. In the Centennial Hall Courtyard from 1-4 p.m., there will be the Annual Festival Centennial.

The campus-wide barbecue is from 5-6:30 p.m. on the Student Union Mall (rain site: Student Union Building). Tickets are $8.75 per person, and students with a meal plan can eat for free with their Truman ID. Barbeque tickets can be bought online at store.truman.edu/familyday.

Open rappelling and wall climbing activities will be available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the rappel tower south of campus.

At 7 p.m., the Bulldog football team plays Missouri S&T at Stokes Stadium. General admission tickets cost $8. During halftime, the Oath of Enlistment for ROTC will take place.

Sunday, Sept. 20, the women’s and men’s soccer teams play the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

A complete detailed schedule of events can be found here. For more information, email pr@truman.edu or call 660.785.4016.

The History Department is hosting a World War I film series to raise awareness and commemorate the tragic events that took place 100 years ago. The department will host a scholar speaker to discuss John J. Pershing and his significance. Student trips to the National World War I Museum in Kansas City will be coordinated as well.

Want to teach English in China? Apply for CHN 550: EFL Internship in China (12 credit hours). Scholarships are available. For more information or for an application, contact Timothy Farley at tfarley@truman.edu. The deadline to apply for spring internships is Sept. 30. 

The ES 445: Assessment and Prescription class is looking for employees or community members to be practice clients for the students in the class learning to be personal trainers. Clients would meet with their student group on five separate occasions and leave with an exercise prescription made just for them. To sign up, or for more information, contact Evonne Bird at 660.785.7729 or ebird@truman.edu.

Want to Study Abroad while paying Truman tuition? The Truman Study Abroad Office offers a variety of bilateral exchanges where students can study abroad for a similar tuition rate. One of these opportunities is located in San Sebastian, Spain, at the Deusto Business School. Students have the opportunity to take business courses in international business, management, marketing, finance and accounting in English. A study abroad ambassador, Carolina Benitez, studied at Deusto this past spring. For more information, contact her or the Study Abroad Office at ciea@truman.edu. For more information about the Deusto Business school click here.

Truman’s social wall integrates all of Truman’s major social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram. This wall arranges Truman’s most recent posts into a convenient feed to be all viewed at once. This feed can be found at social.truman.edu/wall.

To connect with Truman, the links for many Truman accounts can be found directly on the University home page. A collection of other Truman departments and organizations can be found at social.truman.edu.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available Sept. 8.

The University’s Publications Office recently received the Bulldog Award. This acknowledges a shared team achievement for outstanding customer service practices and honors individual departments that consistently strive to excel. 

Nabil Alghalith, professor of business administration, had his manuscript “Web Analytics: Enhancing Customer Relationship Management” accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability.

Ben Briney, head volleyball coach, was awarded the 2014 Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year.

Dan Davis, head baseball coach, was named the 2015 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

Antonio Scuderi, professor of Italian, published “The Anthropology of Dario Fo: an Interdisciplinary Approach” in New Theatre Quarterly (Cambridge University Press, August 2015).

Huping Ling, professor of history and Changjiang Scholar Chair Professor, the Chinese Ministry of education, has published the following books: “Jinshan Yao: A New Chinese American History” (in the Overseas Chinese History Series, China Overseas Chinese Publishing House, 2016); “Asian American History and Culture: An Encyclopedia” (co-editor, 2 Vols. M. E. Sharpe, 2010, Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin Editors’ Choice 2010 Award, Chinese edition in the Overseas Chinese Studies Translation Series, World Book Publishing Company 2016); “Chinese Chicago: Race, Transnational Migration, and Community since 1870”(Chinese edition, in the Overseas Chinese Studies Translation Series, World Book Publishing Company, 2015); and “Jinshan Yao: A History of Chinese American Women” (Expanded and Revised Edition in Classical Chinese. In the Showwei Social Sciences Series, Taipei: Showwei, 2015).

Mada Smith, grounds, recently received the Points of Excellence Award. The Points of Excellence Award recognizes Truman staff members that go above and beyond while fulfilling their duties. This can include exceptional work performance, customer service and service to students, as well as demonstrating Truman values or developing innovative problem-solving techniques.

PwC Info Table
Sept. 2
Violette Hall Commons Area
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

How to Market Your Study Abroad
Sept.  2
Violette Hall 1140
5-6 p.m.

Lunch ‘N Learn Linkedln
Sept. 9
SUB Alumni Room
12-1 p.m.

Employer Panel
Sept. 9
SUB Activities Room
6:30-8 p.m.

Etiquette Dinner
Sept. 10
SUB Activities Room
5:30-7 p.m.

KPMG On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 11
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Emerson Electric On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 15
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Careers in Healthcare with Cerner
Sept. 16
SUB 3204
7-8:30 p.m.

Deloitte On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 17
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

BKD On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 18
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Professional Mock Interviews
Sept. 21
Career Center
9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Personal Statement Workshop
Sept. 21
Magruder Hall 1098
3:30-6:30 p.m.

How to Attend Grad School for Free
Sept. 21
SUB Georgian Room A
7-8 p.m.

Volunteer Fair
Sept. 22
SUB HUB
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Interested in Health Care?
Des Moines University
Sept. 22
SUB Conference Room
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Personal Statement Workshop
Sept. 22
Baldwin Hall 156
3:30-6:30 p.m.

Consulting as a Career- Keyto Info Session
Sept. 22
SUB 3202
6-6:45 p.m.

Interested in Health Care?
Des Moines University
Sept. 22
SUB 3204
6-6:45 p.m.

Careers and Internships with Cerner
Sept. 22
SUB 3201
6-6:45 p.m.

How to get a Job with ANY Major
Sept. 22
SUB Activities Room
7-8:45 p.m.

Federal Reserve Bank Info Session
Sept. 22
SUB
6-6:45 p.m.

Barkely Info Session
Sept. 22
SUB
6-6:45 p.m.

Fall 2015 Career & Grad School Expo
Sept. 23
SUB
11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Leadership - The skill every employer wants and you can develop
Sept. 23
SUB Alumni Room
5:30-6:30 p.m.

GRE/GMAT Math Bootcamp
Sept. 23
Violette Hall 1236
6-9 p.m.

Target Info Session
Sept. 23
SUB 3201
6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Law School Application Process
Sept. 23
SUB 3202
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Career Week Interviews
Sept. 24
SUB
8-5 p.m.

Peace Corps Info Session
Sept. 24
SUB Georgian Room A
2-3:30 p.m.

Peace Corps Kick Off
Sept. 24
SUB HUB
7-9 p.m.

Boeing On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 24
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rubin Brown On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 25
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

McGladry On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 28
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

PwC On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 29
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ernst & Young On-Campus Interviews
Sept. 30
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

ALDI Reception for Applicants
Oct. 10
SUB Georgian Room A
7-9:30 p.m.

ALDI On-Campus Interviews
Oct. 20
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Alumni Mock Interviews
Oct. 8
Career Center
3-5 p.m.

Anders CPA On-Campus Interviews
Oct. 12
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

US Army Healthcare Info Session
Oct. 12
Magruder
10 a.m.

Edward Jones On-Campus Interviews
Oct. 13
Career Center
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Any college level students that will be attending school Winter 2015 in the United States are eligible for the “Love Your Career” scholarship, being offered by JonesTshirts in the amount of $1,000. The deadline for this scholarship is Sept. 7. Click here for details.

To be eligible for the $500 scholarship, students must: be enrolled in full-time studies at a college, trades or technical school by no later than September 2015; be currently residing in the United States and intend on continuing studies in the United States; and complete the online application no later than Sept. 15.

This scholarship is open to all students enrolled in accredited academic institutions, and high school seniors who are enrolling upon graduation. Students of all majors and intended majors are welcome to participate. Applicants must be residents of the United States and at least 16 years of age. Awards will be sent directly to the financial aid office of the institution of the finalist’s enrollment. Click here to apply.

To apply for this scholarship, students must: be between the ages of 16 and 25 on Sept. 30, 2015; submit answers to the essay questions, which can be found on the application page, prior to the Sept. 30 deadline; have at least one full year of post-secondary studies remaining at the time of the award (current high school students are also eligible); and have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.

Fantasy Sports Daily is offering two ongoing scholarships per year, valued at $1,000 each. These scholarships are designed to help students who demonstrate a strong aptitude for higher learning, have a drive to improve themselves and a desire to improve society in general. Winners will be determined by the Fantasy Sports Daily executive team each spring and fall semester. The fall 2015 scholarship award is currently available and open to all eligible students who apply online at fantasysportsdaily.com/scholarship.

Infoparrot will offer scholarships of $1,250 for educational expenses. For more information, or to apply, click here.

Every year, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans awards 30 fellowships to immigrants and the children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate education in the United States. Each award is worth up to $90,000. This includes up to $25,000/year stipend and up to $20,000/year tuition support. Awards support up to two years of full-time graduate study in any field, including the visual and performing arts, and at any graduate-degree granting institution in the United States, with the exception of online programs. In addition to funding, fellows join a community of more than 500 New Americans with family origins in more than 75 different countries.

The fellowship program looks for applicants who have demonstrated and sustained accomplishments that show creativity, originality and initiative. The fellowship looks for evidence that an applicant’s proposed graduate training is likely to enhance future creativity and accomplishment, and that the individual has a commitment to responsible citizenship in this country.

For information on eligibility requirements or to apply, visit the fellowship website. Applications are due by Nov. 1.