Vol. 10 No. 28 - April 18, 2006

Lyle Ingraham

A $3.44 million gift, the largest in University history, has been received from the estate of Lyle Ingraham to create a scholarship program at Truman State University.

The Lyle Ingraham Scholarship Fund is designed to assist students with financial need to attain a Truman State University education. The program will provide an estimated $120,000 in scholarship resources each year. According to scholarship guidelines, the maximum annual award per student is $4,000, with at least 30 students benefiting from the fund annually.

"Truman State University is grateful to Lyle Ingraham for his foresight and generosity in establishing this magnificent scholarship program," said University President Barbara Dixon. "Need-based scholarships are among our top priorities, and keeping a Truman education within the reach of students with financial need is important to our future. This program will have tremendous impact on students for generations."

A native of Green Castle, Mo., Ingraham graduated from Browning High School in 1923. He attended Kirksville Normal School, now Truman State University, following high school, and began his career as a school teacher in Sullivan County.

He later enrolled at Chillicothe Business College and began a lengthy career in the community banking industry at Citizens Bank in Browning, Mo. Ingraham served as the bank's president and chief executive officer, and also managed insurance, farming and cattle enterprises.

He retired in 1976 and moved to Kansas City. Ingraham passed away on July 3, 2005, at the age of 99.

The estate gift will provide a significant boost to the Truman State University Foundation's scholarship program, adding more than one-third in additional resources for the 2006-2007 academic year. An estimated $440,000 will be awarded to Truman students from Foundation scholarships next year.


Truman State University President Barbara Dixon welcomed William E. Young, Chairman, Citizens Bank and Trust, Chillicothe, to campus recently to discuss a $3.44 million estate gift from the late Lyle Ingraham. The gift will create Truman's largest Foundation scholarship program, expected to generate at least $120,000 annually for need-based scholarships. Young was a family friend of Ingraham, who attended Kirksville Normal School in the mid-1920s.

Naomi Shihab Nye will deliver the plenary address at 11 a.m., April 20, in Violette Hall 1000, at the 19th Annual Student Research Conference.

Nye describes herself as a "wandering poet." She has spent the last 30 years crossing the country—and the world—to lead writing workshops and inspiring students of all ages. Nye was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother and grew up in St. Louis, Jerusalem and San Antonio, Texas. Drawing on her Palestinian-American heritage, the cultural diversity of her home in Texas, and her experiences traveling in many parts of the world including Asia and the Middle East, Nye uses her writing to attest to our shared humanity.

Nye is the author and/or editor of more than 20 volumes. Her books of poetry include "19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East," "Red Suitcase," "Words Under Words," "Fuel" and "You & Yours" (2005). She is also the author of "Mint Snowball," "Never in a Hurry," "Habibi" and "Sitti's Secrets."

Other works include a picture book, "Baby Radar," and eight prize-winning poetry anthologies for young readers, including "Is This Forever, Or What?: Poems & Paintings from Texas" and "A Maze Me: Poems for Girls" (2005), as well as a novel for teens, "Going Going" (2005).

Nye has been a Lannan Fellow, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a Wittner Bynner Fellow (Library of Congress).  She has received, among other honors, a Lavan Award from the Academy of American Poets, four Pushcart Prizes, and numerous awards and citations for her children’s literature, including two Jane Addams Children's Book Awards and the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award for 2005 for "You & Yours."  Her collection "19 Varieties of Gazelle" was a finalist for the National Book Award.  She is a regular columnist for "Organica" and poetry editor for "The Texas Observer."  Her work has been presented on National Public Radio on such shows as "A Prairie Home Companion" and "The Writer's Almanac."  She has been featured on two PBS poetry specials: "The Language of Life with Bill Moyers" and "The United States of Poetry" and also appeared on "NOW" with Bill Moyers. 

For the third year in a row the Truman State University Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team returned to Kirksville as winners after participating in the SIFE Midwest Regional Competition on April 5. The event was one of 17 SIFE USA Regional Competitions being held across the United States in March and April.

After presenting a report of their yearlong community outreach projects to a panel of business leaders, the Truman SIFE team was named SIFE USA Regional Champions in the overall competition and a finalist in the SIFE USA Sam's Club Entrepreneurship Competition. The team will now advance to the national level of SIFE competition, at the SIFE USA National Exposition May 21-23 in Kansas City, Mo.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization present on more than 1,800 university campuses in more than 40 countries. SIFE teams create economic opportunities in their communities by organizing outreach projects that teach: market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business ethics. Their projects are judged at competition for creativity, innovation and effectiveness.

During this academic year, the Truman SIFE team dedicated more than 1,000 hours to improving the lives of community members throughout the Midwest. The team completed 10 projects. Nine of these projects were created by Truman SIFE members, fulfilling all five of SIFE's teaching principles and impacting more than 208,000 people.

SIFE is currently open to new members and offers great opportunities for involvement and leadership. For more information, contact Todd Smith at tps005@truman.edu or visit http://sife.truman.edu.

The Delta of Missouri Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa will initiate 58 Truman students at 2 p.m., April 23, in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. It will also initiate composer J. Mark Scearce, a Truman alumnus (B.A. Music Theory/B.A. Philosophy and Religion/B.M. Performance, 1983) and current director of music at North Carolina State University, as an alumni member. Scearce will contribute an original composition to the initiation ceremony.

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest liberal arts and sciences honors society and has had a chapter housed at Truman since 2001. Candidates for Phi Beta Kappa must major in a recognized field of liberal study in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences. The students to be initiated are:  Leslie Ann Beasley, Corie Ann Bednar, Nicholas S. Beydler, John Alex Brockman, Kathryn Hunter Brown, Joshua Lee Cannon, Elizabeth Ann Carrington, Jennifer Nicole Crawford, Amanda Day, Sarah Hurst Deady, Jasmyni Dias, Joseph P. Donahay, Jared Jay Erwin, Katherine E. Eusey, Eran Feintuch, Kimberly M. Getman, Amanda Marie Groebl, Christopher Paul Hansen, Maryellen R. Harman, Lara L. Hause, Lauren Ann Marie Helbig, Megan Hunter, Jackson Smith Jennings, Lauren N. Johnson, Joshua Michael Jones, Shawn Tully Joyce, Laura Katharine Keck, Megan E. Kennedy, Sarah Jane Kertz, Hillary Rose Klofkorn, Julie A. Laub, Scott Louis Lesinski, Catherine M. Link, Holly Elizabeth Magdziarz, Daniel Robert Matheny, Haley L. McCreery, Sarah Elaine Shamiso McDuff, Matthew T. Miles, Lisa Christine Miller, Greg E. Mueller, Michael A. Nuhn, Ashley Fay Phillips, Joanna Marie Ristow, Elizabeth Marie Robinson, Kyle T. Roff, Cassandra Jean Runge, Erin L. Sadzewicz, Christine L. Schlosser, Jamie Ann Simon, Neil Paul Stransky, Matthew Johannsen Tingler, Dennis L Trinkle II, Robert Benjamin Tylka, George Wang, Kelly Elizabeth Watters, Greg Wiser, Cheryl C. Wong and Cynthia Lynn Wooldridge.

Truman students won five first-place Mark of Excellence 2005 awards in the Society of Professional Journalists competition for Region VII announced April 7 in St. Louis. The region consists of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Thus for all individual awards, Truman students were competing against large schools such as the University of Missouri-Columbia, Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. First-place winners continue to the national Mark of Excellence competition with those results announced in the fall.

First-place winners include: Index: Best all-around non-daily published once a week; Index staff: Editorial writing; Lisette Metz Grulke: General news photography; Roger Meissen: Photo illustration; Chris Tharp: Sports photography.

Second-place winners are: Conor Nicholl: Online sports reporting; Alan Reininger: Online news; Chris Tharp: Sports photography.

Third-place winners are: John Weeks, Courtney Rakers, Kelly Wikstrom: Radio in-depth reporting; Whitney McFerron: Breaking news reporting; Amy Deis: Feature writing; Roger Meissen: Sports photography.

Fifteen students attended the conference at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, accompanied by Karon Speckman, associate professor of communication and SPJ adviser.

A day of Universitywide celebration of undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship and creative achievement.

Check out the Student Research Program At-A-Glance inside this issue of the Truman Today.

19th Annual Student Research Conference
April 20
Registration Begins at 7:30 a.m.
Daytime classes are canceled.
For a complete schedule of presentations and discussions, see http://src.truman.edu.

Plenary Address
April 20
11 a.m.
VH 1000
Naomi Shihab Nye, acclaimed poet, essayist and teacher
Lecture, poetry reading, question and answer session and book signing.


Naomi Shihab Nye

Book Signing
11 a.m.-noon
VH 1000
Sponsored by the Truman State University Bookstore
Nye’s works will be available in the Bookstore before the event and on the day of the book signing.
For more information, contact Steve Pennington, Truman Bookstore manager, at 785.4211.

Irwin Goldman will present
"Take Two Onions and Call Me in the Morning: The Human Health Potential of Vegetables"

7:30 p.m.
April 19
Magruder Hall 2001

Goldman is associate professor of horticulture and chair of the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program at the University of Wisconsin.

Contact Laura Fielden at 785.4624 for more information.

3:30-5 p.m.
April 19

Contact Crista Chappell at 785.4109 or gradinfo@truman.edu for more information.

S. Kent Brown, head of FARMS research at BYU-Provo

"Old World Setting for the Book of Mormon: Evidence from Arabia"

4-5:30 p.m.
April 19
VH 1000

Brown will present his recent archaeological findings.

To see some of his credentials and recent works, visit http://farms.byu.edu/viewauthor.php?authorID=11.

Sponsored by the Latter Day Saint Student Association and the Pershing Society.

For more information, contact Chris Gillette at 785.4924 or cgillette@truman.edu.

Speech and Debate Team

Spring Recruitment Event

8 p.m.
April 19
Kirk Memorial 204

For more information, visit http://forensics.truman.edu/SpringCallout.html.

The Admissions Office is looking for motivated and enthusiastic students to be part of this important program.

Students' primary responsibilities will include representing Truman through telephone contact and electronic communications with prospective students.

This is a great opportunity to share your Truman experience with prospective students and help them through the application process.

Hours of operation:
5-9 p.m.
Monday-Thursday

Students will be paid the student hourly wage of $5.30, and scholarship and work-study positions are also available.

Applications are available in the Admissions Office, MC 205, and are due by April 21.

For more information, contact Matt Hanley at 785.4114 or matth@truman.edu.

April 21
SUB Room 208

9-9:20 a.m.
ECO-friendly Products: Consumer Decisions Affecting Global Environment and Economy

9:30-10:50 a.m.
Local Water Issues: Science and Politics

11 a.m.--noon
Compost: Institutional and Backyard

12:15-1:15 p.m.
Food Production and Consumption Environmental Issues
Lunch and Panel Discussion

1:30-2:20 p.m.
Transportation Alternatives: Local and Global

2:30-3:20 p.m.
Race/Class/Gender and the Environment

3:30-4:20 p.m.
The Written Word: Environmental Literature and Expression

4:30-5 p.m.
A Chemical Affair

7-8:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: William Allen
The NEW Global Warming Debate: Now that global warming is here, what do we do?

8:30-9:30 p.m.
Dessert Reception
University Club

All Environmental Studies Conference events are free and open to the public.

Sponsors: Environmental Campus Organization, Sierra@Truman, Interdisciplinary Studies Division, Environmental Studies Program, the Fine Arts Division Office and Sodexho.

Apply to be a Mentor and

1. Promote involvement in student organizations at Truman.
2. Participate in a variety of Truman Week activities.
3. Conduct an informal session about student involvement.
4. Help first year students move in.
5. Help organize Dawg Fest, a carnival promoting student involvement.
6. Work with an energetic team of people just like you.
7. Gain leadership and organizational skills.
8. Have fun!

For more information and to obtain an application visit http://saffairs.truman.edu/collegecup/sims.html.

Questions?
Contact the Student Affairs Office at 785.4111 or e-mail stuaff@truman.edu.

Return applications to the Center for Student Involvement in the lower level of the Student Union by 5 p.m., April 21.

9 p.m.
April 20
SUB Down Under

Admission is free. There will also be free refreshments and great prizes.

Call 785.4722 for more information.

You are cordially invited to the Dedication of Omicron Delta Kappa

President’s Garden
in Honor of Jack Magruder

2 p.m.
April 29
Quadrangle
in front of Kirk Memorial Building

Hosted by Omicron Delta Kappa and the Office of Advancement

Reception to follow.

Please R.S.V.P. by calling 785.4133.

Monica Barron, professor of English, read her poetry and creative non-fiction April 6 at Madisonville Community College in Madisonville, Ky.

The Truman State University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Bobzien, a senior biology major from Janesville, Wis., is the recipient of a national Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship. Each chapter is allowed to nominate one student annually for this fellowship. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi then awards 60 Graduate Fellowships of $5,000 each and 40 Awards of Excellence of $2,000 each to members entering the first year of graduate or professional study. This is the fifth year in a row that the Truman chapter has had an award recipient for a fellowship or award of excellence. Bobzien will use her fellowship for study at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

From March 31-April 1, members of the Truman State University community presented at the Spring Section Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America. David Failing, a sophomore mathematics and pre-secondary education double major from Lisle, Ill., and Matt Sealy, a junior mathematics and physics double major from Joliet, Ill., presented research they conducted during The Next STEP’s 2005 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. George Wang, a senior computer science and mathematics double major from Kirksville, also presented a talk on research conducted as part of Truman’s Mathematical Biology Initiative. James Guffey, professor of mathematics, also presented at the conference.

An original musical composition by Warren Gooch, professor of music, has been selected as the "Featured Composition of the Month" by the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers (CFAMC). "John I: The Word" for choir will be available on the CFAMC Listening Page on their Web site located at http://www.cfamc.org. The performance is by Truman's Cantoria under the direction of Mark Jennings, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities.

Mark Spitzer, assistant professor of English, recently attended the &Now Literary Conference at Lake Forest College in Illinois where he moderated a panel titled "Shunning the Daisies of Nostalgia" and read from his new book "The Pigs Drink from Infinity."

Khang Tran, a senior computer science and mathematics double major from Oceanside, Calif., set a Truman individual record on the 2005 William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. He ranked 149th out of 3,545. The Putnam Competition, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America, is open to undergraduates of any major in the United States and Canada. The Truman Putnam team, consisting of Bach Ha, a junior computer science and mathematics double major from Kirksville, Michael Miller, a junior mathematics and computer science double major from Kirksville, and Tran ranked 92nd out of 395. Six Truman students participated in the competition.

Sodexho is sponsoring the Generous Helpings Hunger Relief Initiative now through May 12. Sodexho is assisting in raising additional funds by purchasing specified manufacturer food and supply products. One hundred percent of the additional funding earned will be distributed to the Sodexho Foundation to support hunger programs. Every day, Sodexho will Show Case a particular item that will use these featured products from a participating manufacturer. Using more of these products will increase the amount of money donated to hunger relief in North America.

The DEPThS group will meet at 8 p.m., April 18, in BH 249. E-mail depths.tsu@gmail.com for more information.

The Division of Fine Arts and Theatre Program present "Violet - A musical featuring Deadwood & Co.," directed by Becky Becker at 8 p.m., April 18-22, in the OP Courtyard Theatre. Tickets are $5 each and may now be reserved or purchased in advance at the OP Box Office. Opening night tickets are free. Make reservations by calling the Box Office at 785.4515 or stopping by during Box Office hours, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, in the OP atrium.

The Center for Teaching and Learning Weekly Lunch Series will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m., April 19, in the SUB Spanish Room. Call 785.4391 for more information.

The Environmental Campus Organization (ECO) and Kirksville Arts Association will host an opening reception for the first ever ARTSEnvironmental Gallery Show from 6-8 p.m., April 19. The show will run from April 19-May 4. For more information, e-mail Cassie Phillips at cassiephillips@care2.com.

The Showgirls Dance Team is having tryouts for its 2006-2007 squad. The first clinic will be from 7-9 p.m., April 20, in Pershing Arena. There will be a short informational meeting following this clinic. There will be an optional open practice from 6-7 p.m., April 21, at the Student Recreation Center, with the second day of clinics immediately following from 7-9 p.m. Finally, tryouts will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., April 22, in the Pershing Small Gym. Tryouts will last until the final girl has completed her tryouts. The new team will be posted shortly after. For more information, contact Megan Mills at 314.368.2411 or mem499@truman.edu.

Maura Cullen will present "Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore" at 7:30 p.m., April 20, in Baldwin Auditorium. Residence Life and RCP are sponsoring this speaker. Have you ever been afraid of saying the wrong thing so instead said nothing at all? People are caught in times of political correctness, where "saying" the right things are worlds away from "doing" the right thing. Considered one of the most inclusive sessions on diversity, this honest and engaging program gets to the core of the problem; people's fear of being judged and misunderstood. This session will be beneficial to all who struggle with the concept of diversity and it's impact. Contact Andrew Richmond at ajr432@truman.edu for more information.

The Filmmaker's Club will present the world premiere of "The Lounge," an original feature length film, from 7-9 p.m., April 21, in VH 1000. The film is the product of two years of planning, production and editing. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Brian Rose at 785.5988 or Brianruns10@hotmail.com.

Prism will host SHOULDstock 2006, Students Helping Others Understand and Love Diversity, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., April 22, on the Quadrangle. The event will feature live music, dance, a petting booth, games, barbeque and more. For more information, contact Matthew A. Seibert at 660.349.0531 or mas602@truman.edu.

Megan Arns, a junior music and pre-accounting double major from St. Charles, Mo., will present a Junior Percussion Recital from 5-5:45 p.m., April 22, in the OP Performance Hall. For more information, contact Michael Bump at 785.4052.

The German Club will show the film "The Edukators" from 7-10:30 p.m., April 22, in VH 1000. For more information, contact Aubrey Evans at ale005@truman.edu.

The Unique Ensemble Gospel Choir will present its Spring "Originals" Concert at 1 p.m., April 23, in the SUB Activities Room. This will be an exciting, high-energy concert featuring original gospel music from Unique Ensemble members. Admission is free. For more information, contact Brycen Marner at 314.276.7954.

Nominations are now open for the 2005-2006 William ODonnell Lee Advising Award. To nominate a faculty member, complete the online nomination form at http://rcp.truman.edu/lee/LeeNomination.htm. Faculty receiving the Lee Advising Award will be recognized at August Commencement. Nominations are due by 8 a.m., April 24. For more information, contact Marty Eisenberg at martye@truman.edu.

The SOAN Senior Seminar is sponsoring a series of Capstone Presentations in Sociology and Anthropology on April 24 and April 26. There will be two sessions each day in SUB Room 306. The first session will be from 2:30-4 p.m., and the second session will be from 6-8 p.m. Each of the evening sessions will be followed by a reception and refreshments. Presentations by senior SOAN majors will address a wide range of topics – some examples include inequalities in health care, child abuse policies, critiques of development theory and family planning programs, agricultural development in ancient Japan, and a cross-cultural study of herder diet. Contact Elaine McDuff at emcduff@truman.edu for more information.

The Student Activities Board (SAB) will host an Open Forum at 6 p.m., April 24, in the SUB Activities Room. Students are invited to express their opinions and learn more about SAB. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Ashlee Stoddard at 785.4722 or sab@truman.edu.

The Center for Teaching and Learning will sponsor the Assessment Colloquium "Promoting Student Success: Development of an Effective Intervention System" from 4:30-6 p.m., April 25, in the SUB Conference Room. Maria DiStefano, Sue Pieper and Dominick Scalise will present the results of their assessment-grant-funded study examining the effectiveness of the Academic Planning and Development course focused on the College Success Factors Index. For more information, call 785.4391 or e-mail ctl@truman.edu.

The communication faculty will sponsor the Chandler Monroe Oratorical Contest from 6-10 p.m., April 25, in BH 252. This is a ceremonial speech contest open to all spring Communication 170 students. The finalists will compete for prizes on May 3. Sign-up sheets are available in Communication 170 classes. For more information, contact James Cianciola at 785.6043 or jciancio@truman.edu.

Alpha Phi Omega will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., April 26 and 27, in the SUB. Contact Phil Vance at pdv014@truman.edu for more information.

Truman Jazz Lab Bands I and II will perform at 8 p.m., April 26, in Baldwin Auditorium. For more information, contact Tim AuBuchon at 785.4412 or aubuchon@truman.edu.

The Annual Service Recognition Banquet will take place at 6:30 p.m., April 27, in the SUB Georgian Room. Tickets are available in the Human Resources Office in MC 106 for $10 each.

The Second Annual National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Charity Walk will take place from 5-8 p.m., April 28, at Stokes Stadium. Registration costs $10. All proceeds will benefit the Missouri School for the Blind. For more registration information, contact nscswalk@gmail.com.

The Truman State University Music Department will present the second annual truman Jazz Composers Concert at 8 p.m., April 28, in Baldwin Auditorium. For more information, contact Tim AuBuchon at 785.4412 or aubuchon@truman.edu.

This year the Kirksville Heart Walk (approximately 2.5 miles) will be in honor of former Truman State University football coach and Truman alumnus, John Ware. Anyone can participate in this event on April 29. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. If you have an interest in participating or being part of a team, contact Jack Schrader at schrader@truman.edu or 785.4171.

The Truman State University Bookstore will host a book signing with Truman religion professors Dereck Daschke and W. Michael Ashcraft of their newly-released co-edited work "New Religious Movements: A Documentary Reader" from 10 a.m.-noon, April 29, at the University Bookstore in the SUB. The reader is a collection of primary documents from many cults or New Religious Movements and includes introductions by the co-editors and an appendix on the anticult movement by a leading scholar in the field. The reader is designed for use in undergraduate classes as well as for general readership. This is the first book of its kind. To date, no other reader like this is available. On the day of the signing, the book will be available for purchase for 20 percent off its list price. For more information, contact Steve Pennington, Truman Bookstore Manager, at 785.4211.

The Fifth Annual Business and Accountancy Spring Recognition Dinner will take place at 6 p.m., April 29, in the SUB Georgian Room. The dinner will honor outstanding students from the Division of Business and Accountancy.

Faculty, staff and students who know an international student who deserves to be recognized for his or her hard work and enthusiasm can nominate that person to become the next International Student of the Month. Applications are available at http://iso.truman.edu under the Current Students tab. Applications may be submitted at any time. Contact Kara Burns at 665.0468 for more information.