Vol. 21 No. 20 - February 6, 2017

Because of its ability to provide an exceptional education and great career preparation at an affordable price, Truman has again been recognized by The Princeton Review.

The education services company included Truman in the 2017 edition of “Colleges That Pay You Back: The 200 Schools That Give You the Best Bang for Your Tuition Buck.” Information from the book can also be found online at princetonreview.com/college-rankings/colleges-that-pay-you-back.

The Princeton Review chose the schools based on ROI (return on investment) ratings it tallied for 650 schools last year. The ratings weighted 40 data points that covered everything from academics, cost and financial aid, to graduation rates, student debt, and alumni salaries and job satisfaction. The Princeton Review editors used data from surveys of administrators and students in 2015-16 as well as information from PayScale.com surveys of school alumni conducted through April 2016.

The Princeton Review does not rank the colleges in the book overall, one through 200, on a single list.

 
Students who received a grade point average of 3.5 or better during the fall semester can now find their honor roll information posted online.

The President’s List, for students with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, can be accessed at truman.edu/honors/fall-2016-presidents-list. The Vice President for Academic Affairs’ List, featuring students with a grade point average between 3.50-3.99, can be found at truman.edu/honors/fall-2016-vice-president-academic-affairs-list. To qualify for either list, a student must be an undergraduate and complete at least 12 hours of credit during the semester.

Social media buttons on both pages make it easy for students and parents to share this accomplishment with friends and family.

Students who have requested a directory hold on their information will not be included on a list. Any questions regarding student eligibility for either list can be directed to the Academic Affairs Office at 660.785.4105.

Author, editor and mentor Faith Adiele will read selections from her nonfiction writing at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium as part of the 2017 Ofstad Reading Series.

Adiele is the author of “Meeting Faith,” a memoir about becoming the first African-American woman ordained a Buddhist nun in Thailand. The book received the PEN Beyond Margins Award for Best Memoir of 2005. She also wrote “The Nigerian-Nordic Girl’s Guide To Lady Problems.” Adiele was writer/narrator/subject of “My Journey Home,” a PBS documentary film about growing up with a Nordic-American mother and then traveling to Nigeria as an adult to find her father and siblings. She is also the editor of the international anthology, “Coming of Age Around the World.”

An associate professor in creative nonfiction at California College of the Arts in the Bay Area, Adiele is a member of the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto where she is completing “Twins,” a memoir that will finish the story begun in the PBS film. Named as one of Marie Claire magazine’s “5 Women to Learn From,” Adiele, who was educated at Harvard University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, has been featured on NPR; in a pilot for a new reality show; in a national television ad; on “The Tavis Smiley Show”; and in “A Day in the Life of Faith Adiele,” a two-page, center spread in Pink Magazine. She has also been a contributor to O: The Oprah Magazine, Essence and Transition. More information about Adiele can be found on her website, adiele.com.

Prior to arriving at Truman to conduct a weeklong writing workshop, Adiele will be reading at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. as part of the Associated Writing Programs (AWP) Convention. Generously funded by the Clayton B. Ofstad Endowment, the Ofstad Readings take place during the residency of a visiting writer.

Big Event Registration for students opens at 5 p.m. Feb. 13 via TruService and will remain open until 5 p.m. March 27.

Students can sign up individually or as part of an organization. In order to sign up with an organization, students must make sure they have updated their service profile on TruService to include all organizations they are a part of, otherwise the option will not show up when registering.

The first 300 students to register will receive a free t-shirt.

For the annual Big Event, hundreds of Truman students provide services to the residents of the community by raking leaves, washing windows, painting and more. The Big Event gives Truman students the opportunity to show appreciation for all of the support the Kirksville community has offered to them. The SERVE Center will provide all supplies necessary.

The 16th annual Big Event will take place at 9 a.m. April 1 on the Mall. Students are asked to arrive 15 minutes early. Breakfast will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information about Big Event, check out the SERVE Center’s Q&A website page. They can also be contacted at 660.785.7222, by email at trumanserve@gmail.com or by visiting their office in the Student Union Building Down Under 1106.

The 34th annual Truman Piano Festival will take place Feb. 17-18 in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.  

This year’s featured guest artist is Dr. Josh Pifer. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, he will perform a solo recital that features works by Scarlatti, Justin Aftab, Tcherepnin and Corigliano. At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 18, he will conduct a master class featuring Truman piano majors. Both events are open to the public and free of charge.

Pifer, serves as lecturer in piano at Auburn University where he teaches class piano, applied piano and music skills. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, he made his piano debut playing Haydn’s “Concerto in A Major” with the Kotani Chamber Ensemble. At age 10 he performed as a vocalist for the MGM Tokyo Red Carpet premier of the movie “Mr. Mom.”

Pifer has an exciting solo and collaborative career that has taken him to four continents where he regularly appears as guest lecturer and clinician. Additionally, he has presented at national and state music teachers conferences and has adjudicated at more than 25 festivals and competitions in the United States. The summers find Pifer as faculty and artist at the Orfeo Music Festival in the Italian Alps. He has also been sought out by many college and graduate level pianists who have suffered injuries from excessive tension in their playing to help them overcome their problems and learn to play with much more individualistic freedom and ease.

Before graduating with honors and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California in 2009, Pifer completed his bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine, piano and organ from Wittenberg University and his master’s degree from Miami University. His major teachers include Antoinette Perry, Stewart Gordon, Dennis Thurmond, Robert Thomas, Donald Busarow, Magen Solomon, Sharon Lavery and Robert Howat.

During his career, Pifer has been on the faculty at Florida State University, Wittenberg University and Miami University. He is a founding member of the Oto Trio, which includes internationally acclaimed artist Chikuen Kato. Pifer has commissioned and premiered works by 21st-century composers such as Andre Cormier, Justin Aftab, Gary Shields, Douglas Townsend and Andrea Clearfield, and he is an advocate for the piano music of Alexander Tcherepnin.

The application period for Truman’s annual Lincoln contests in art, essay and oratory is now open.

Some would argue that Abraham Lincoln is most remembered for his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The document may have had a limited direct impact on the lives of many slaves, but it was a watershed moment in stating that previously bound people shall be “forever free.” To emancipate commonly means to free from bondage, oppression or restraint. This year’s prompt asks students to choose one of the following possibilities and develop it into an essay:

•       Choose another emancipatory moment in Lincoln’s life and write about it, incorporating source material.

•       Choose an emancipatory moment in someone’s life and, incorporating source material, write about it.

Alumni Fred and Ethel Schwengel established the Lincoln Contests in art, essay and oratory to pay tribute to Abraham Lincoln. This semester Monica Barron will judge the essays, and Barry Poyner will judge the speeches and art.

Interested students should submit a 1,000- to 1,500-word, three- to five-page essay in response to the prompt to Poyner, Barnett Hall 1110 by Feb. 28. Provide a list of works cited as appropriate. On a cover sheet, provide contact information and clearly indicate if entering the essay or oratorical contest, or both. Finalists in the Oratorical Contest will deliver their speeches before the National Communication Association Student Club later in the semester. Communication Club members will assist Poyner in judging. Essay and oratory prizes for first and second places will be $200 and $100, respectively.

Art contest entries also should be submitted to Poyner by Feb. 28. Create a faux poster (11 inch x 17 inch) promoting a “live” presidential speech from Lincoln announcing the Emancipation Proclamation to the nation. What would this poster look like in today’s visual aesthetic, or how would it have looked in the 1860s? What message/concept in the design would speak to a broad audience or to a very targeted audience? Alternatively, create a faux poster on behalf of a social movement advancing or celebrating emancipation. Winning art will be added to the Schwengel Lincoln Collection in Special Collections at Pickler Memorial Library. Art prizes for first and second places will be $200 and $100, respectively.

 
Truman’s forensic union (speech and debate team) started the new year on the right foot with successful weekends at two regional tournaments.

The team traveled to the Iowa Swing, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa and Simpson College, Jan. 21-22, and to the Gorlock Gala, hosted by Webster University, Jan. 27-29.
 
At the Iowa Swing, Truman was one of 17 schools competing. Three students represented Truman forensics in 10 different speech events. Freshman Austin Sopko was named the top novice in impromptu speaking that weekend.
 
Forty-three different schools attended the Gorlock Gala, one of the largest tournaments of the year. Sopko also represented the team at the Gorlock Gala, where he received an excellence award for scoring in the top 30 percent of afterdinner speaking competitors. This also ranked Sopko high enough to receive the top novice award in the event. In other speech events, sophomore Johnathan Christy was a semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking.
 
In debate events at the Gorlock Gala, Christy advanced to the octofinal round of Lincoln-Douglas debate in the varsity division. He was always named the 13th best speaker in the same division. Freshman Luke Frogge also had a successful debate weekend, scoring sixth best speaker in the junior varsity division of Lincoln-Douglas debate and making it to the final round, where he placed second.
 
Truman forensics will attend the MAFA Championship Tournament, hosted by the University of Central Missouri, Feb. 16-18.

Participation in the forensics program is open to any Truman student in good standing, regardless of prior speech and debate experience. For more information on how to get involved, visit forensics.truman.edu or contact Christopher Outzen, director of forensics, or Craig Hennigan, assistant director of forensics. 

Student staff with Truman’s Residence Life Department recently attended the 27th annual University of Northern Iowa RA Conference in Cedar Falls. The delegation included:

Lauren Hogan and Katie Feldkamp
Apartments

Kianna Friesz, Maddi Martin-Giacalone and Corinne Naeger
Blanton-Nason-Brewer Hall

Bud Budzowski
Centennial Hall

Ashleigh Harding and Ian Madden
Missouri Hall

Mary Smreker-Bruce and Heather Brostrom
West Campus Suites

Truman’s student advisors and apartment managers participated in sessions alongside 450 RAs from around the Midwest. Brostrom and Feldkamp both presented sessions at the conference. Smreker-Bruce participated in the bulletin board event. Budzowski, Brostrom, Hogan, Feldkamp and Smreker-Bruce competed in the annual case study competition. The competitors developed plans aimed at fostering positive political dialogue in residence hall communities in the post-election landscape.

Budzowski and Hogan received first place in the medium difficulty level, and Feldkamp and Smreker-Bruce received first place in the hard difficulty level.

Centennial Hall community coordinator Marc Osborn and Missouri Hall director Zac Burden led the delegation.

Alumna Jasmine Cloud will return to present “Taking Possession of the City: Papal Ceremony and Urbanism in the Early Modern Roman Forum,” at 5 p.m. Feb. 6 in Ophelia Parrish 2210.

A 2005 graduate of Truman, Cloud went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Ph.D. from Temple University. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Central Missouri and has published her research in “Reflections on Renaissance Venice, Perspectives on Public Space in Rome, from Antiquity to the Present Days,” and “Venice in the Renaissance: Essays in Honor of Patricia Fortini Brown.” Cloud was the recipient of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation’s Institutional Fellowship, which included a residency at the Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome.

The presentation will focus on the historic ceremony of the posseso, in which a newly elected pope processed through the streets of Rome from the Vatican to the Lateran. The posseso took on new significance in the early modern period. This ceremonial procession presented the pope and his entourage to the people of Rome, and renewed the urban landscape of the city for the new spiritual ruler. The Roman Forum became a particularly charged site in this spectacle, featuring elaborate displays and rituals that tied the papacy to the ancient city’s emperors, whose triumphs this religious ceremony emulated in structure and route.

All are invited to attend the lecture, especially those interested in art history, Italian studies, and early modern (Renaissance) studies.

Cloud’s visit is funded by the School of Arts and Letters Alumni Visit Grant in support of the School of Arts and Letters strategic goal of enhancing interaction between alumni, faculty and students. Visits by alumni include substantive interaction on campus with students and faculty, and at least one public presentation as part of the visit.

Applications for the TruScholars and Interdisciplinary Research Community Grant programs are due Feb. 6.

TruScholars Program Details
The Office of Student Research will once again offer intensive, summer TruScholars undergraduate research experiences. The purpose of the TruScholars program is to foster collaborative faculty-student research and creative activities to enhance undergraduate student learning. Projects supported by this program should exhibit the potential for scholarly publication, presentation at a regional or national conference, public performance or a gallery showing.

The formal part of the 2017 TruScholars program will coincide with the eight-week summer semester, beginning June 5 and ending July 28.

During the program, students should devote full-time effort to their project, and faculty mentors should be continuously available for consultation and collaboration. If student-faculty teams would like to begin their research earlier than June 5 because of the nature of the research, or enthusiasm for the project, they are encouraged to do so. The student-faculty team should develop a schedule that is best for the project with the understanding that there will be intense effort during the eight-week session. Application guidelines, important dates and frequently asked questions can be found at the OSR website.
 
To optimize the quality of the TruScholars experience, there will be a number of required elements including an orientation during the spring semester, attendance at two of three professional development workshops during the eight-week summer program, and presentation at the TruScholars Research Symposium, Aug. 26. Specific dates are given at the OSR website. Faculty will be asked to attend the orientation and research symposium as well as either lead or attend two of the three workshops.

The application includes a project description among other components. Students are encouraged to identify a faculty mentor as early as possible.

Interdisciplinary Research Community Grant Details
The OSR is continuing with an initiative to support interdisciplinary research teams over the summer of 2017 to serve as models for interdisciplinary undergraduate research and creative activities, and to foster a sense of community among Truman faculty, staff and students.

These Interdisciplinary Research Community Grant proposals should be written by two mentors, each from different departments, who will collaborate on a research project that involves and trains two undergraduate students, one from each of the mentor’s departments. Projects may be new or ongoing. Mentors choose student participants. Projects will be funded up to the maximum value of $9,500 per team and should equate to an eight-week equivalent period of time during the summer, June 5 to July 28. Budget may include $1,500 max stipend per mentor, $3,000 max stipend per student, and $9,500 max allocation for materials. Any material budget greater than $500 must be subtracted from the stipend budget amounts at the discretion of the mentors.

See the OSR website for full details of the program, program requirements and the proposal guidelines. Students and faculty involved in the IRC grant program will be required to participate in TruScholars summer workshops and the TruScholars Research Symposium. The deadline for applications, written by the two mentors, will be Feb. 6.

Interim President Sue Thomas will host an All-University Meeting at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 15 Student Union Building Georgian Room. The annual State of the University address will focus on the state budget for next year as well as the processes that are being developed to not only address the current withholdings but also budget challenges in the next fiscal year and beyond.

The Campus Wellness Committee is reaching out across campus this week to pass out information about the flu and how to better deal with stress. While supplies last, there will be free Kleenex, and Northeast Regional Health Center is providing free chapstick. 

Students are encouraged to take a break from studying and stop by the Wellness Zone, located in the library, where they can relax by playing board games, doing puzzles and coloring. They also can pick up information on how to better deal with stress, and for $1, students can have a three-minute electronic chair massage. Students can also take advantage of getting a $1 chair massage in the lower level of the Student Union Building.

Wellness Table Schedule

Magruder Hall
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 6

McClain Hall
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 7

Student Union Building
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 8

Violette Hall
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 9

Ophelia Parrish
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 10

The Center for Student Involvement is accepting homecoming committee applications at homecoming.truman.edu, as well as a year-round homecoming coordinator position available on TruPositions.

Want to study abroad but don’t know where to start? Ask the ambassadors! The ambassadors studied abroad in China, Morocco, Italy, Canada and Malaysia. Look out for events and presentations on campus about scholarships and programs. For more information visit studyabroad.truman.edu/ask-the-ambassadors.

The Center for Student Involvement and the Student Union Building are hiring students for the next academic year. Interested students can find more information on TruPositions, at csi.truman.edu/employment or by contacting Laura Bates.

The newly formed Kirksville Natural History Club will host speaker John Lorenzen, a fisheries management biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, to discuss “Monitoring Topeka Shiners in the Spring Creek Watershed” at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 in Magruder Hall 1098. Topeka shiners are an endangered species, and MDC has tried to improve their prospects by introducing them to favorable habitats in north Missouri. Among these is Spring Creek, a small stream at Union Ridge Conservation Area just northwest of town.

In addition to ranking among the top 20 volunteer-producing mid-sized schools in the nation, Truman offers a Master’s International Program in conjunction with Peace Corps service.

The Peace Corps Prep Program will prepare students for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service through interrelated coursework, hands-on experience and professional development support. The program adds value to the Truman experience and prepares students for international service while they pursue their passion to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

No matter what major students are pursuing, they are eligible to enroll in Truman’s Peace Corps Prep Program, completing coursework and field experiences relevant to international service. When students successfully complete the program, they will receive recognition on their co-curricular transcript and a signed certificate from the Peace Corps. While certification does not guarantee acceptance into Peace Corps, it does offer a competitive advantage when applying.

There will be an information meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. For more information, contact Mary Shapiro or visit truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/peace-corps-prep-program.

Alpha Sigma Gamma is hosting its annual spring rush from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 7-9 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. Interested students can get to know the ladies of ASG, what the non-selective service sorority does, and how to get involved. The informal event consists of three information nights to get to know members of ASG, play games and ask any questions regarding the organization.

Rush nights include:

Sisterhood Night
Feb. 7
7-9 p.m.
Student Union Building Activities Room 3200

Service Night
Feb. 8
7-9 p.m.
Student Union Building Activities Room 3200

Fellowship Night
Feb. 9
7-9 p.m.
Student Union Building Activities Room 3200

Attendance at all three nights of rush is mandatory to be eligible for the organization. While prior notice of emergencies and late classes may be excused to avoid absence, homework is not considered a valid excuse. ASG allows every woman rushing an equal chance to be a member. For more information, contact ASG public relations chair Kailey Micek.

Sigma Alpha Iota annual trivia night will take place from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms A and B.

The price is $35 per table, with a maximum of 7 people, or $8 for an individual seat. All admission is paid at the door. For more information, or to pre-register a team, click here.

SAI is an international women’s music fraternity that works to promote and further the development in local communities, across the nation and all throughout the world. For more information, visit the Truman chapter’s website or the fraternity’s website.

Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, will host a social from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Centennial Hall Lounge. Students can see what Psi Chi is about, as questions about the organization and hang out with other psychology students. There will be free pizza, drinks, ice cream, a GameCube and other board games.

The Pickler Memorial Library Gallery Café is now accepting submissions for solo or group art shows for spring 2018. The student body will be able to decide the winners through voting at 15 For Art, the Truman Jazz Festival, a basketball game and the Big Event.

Students who would like to show their art can fill out the application and send it to kappa.pi.truman@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Feb. 10.

Have you had an incredible professor or research mentor during your time at Truman? Don’t forget to nominate them for Educator or Research Mentor of the year. Submissions are due no later than Feb. 10 and are available at senate.truman.edu/nominations. Don’t let their hard work go unnoticed.

Truman’s Funds Allotment Council is now accepting new member applications. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 15. The Funds Allotment Council is committed to helping various organizations fund campus events. This is an excellent opportunity for students of all majors to make a difference on campus and connect with new people. Applications are available at fac.truman.edu. For more information, contact Tori Wallis.

The Office of Admission is looking for enthusiastic student leaders with a passion for sharing their positive Truman experience.

Applications are open for student ambassadors for the 2017-18 academic year. Student ambassadors guide visiting students and their families on campus tours, assist in the recruitment of prospective students and represent the University.
 
Scholarship, institutional, work-study and volunteer opportunities are available. Applications can be found online and are due by midnight, Feb. 17. Questions should be directed to Shari Fieser, student ambassador adviser.

The President's Office has scheduled the first Coffee (and Chocolates) of the semester for 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.
 
This coffee will focus on the recommendations of two Next Steps teams that made reports to faculty governance last fall: a bill calling for the reform of the LSP; and the development of a sequence of two common seminars aimed at first-year students. A third team charged with creating a centralized system of support for high-impact experiences also submitted a report to governance and was discussed at one of the coffees last fall. All three of these initiatives are currently under review in Undergraduate Council.

Bridget Thomas and Chad Mohler, who chaired the two Next Steps teams, and Paul Parker, chair of Undergraduate Council, will be joining to facilitate discussion.
 
The work of these teams has grown out of the efforts of the Action Teams and Blue Print Teams over the past two years. Background information and reports of all these teams can be found on TruView.

The Environmental Sustainability Fee charges all students $5 per semester to fund environmentally friendly and sustainable projects on campus. To ensure students, faculty and staff have a loud and clear voice on environmental issues and projects they wish to see implemented, the Environmental Sustainability Fee Accountability Committee will host constituent meetings until Feb. 17. Students, faculty and staff can present their ideas for programs or projects the fee could fund during the upcoming school year. For information on presenting an idea or submitting a proposal, email esfeecommittee@truman.edu.

Beta Alpha Psi will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sessions from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 18, Feb. 25, March 4, March 25 in Violette Hall 1424.

VITA offers free tax assistance for clients with low to moderate income levels filing simple tax returns. The tax assistance will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return.

Clients who come to VITA sessions should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earning statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available.

For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

The Leadership Recognition Program recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding organizations and organizational members, advisors and faculty. Nominations can be submitted online at wp-internal.truman.edu/csi/leadership or in person at the Center for Student Involvement Office. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 17.
 
Contact Alex Ward at csilrp@gmail.com with any questions regarding the program and nomination process.

The University Swingers will sponsor “Swing into Spring” dance workshops, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m.-12:05 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. in the Pershing Building dance studio.

There will be two tracks of lessons taught by Truman alumni and covering various topics. This workshop is completely free and open to all students, regardless of dance experience.

The Center for International Education would like to invite all students to the Study Abroad Fair from 12-4 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Talk with students who have studied abroad and speak with representatives from universities in France, Israel, England, Costa Rica and representatives for the Semester at Sea program, faculty-led programs, internships abroad and many more. For more information, stop by the Center for International Education and Study Abroad, located on the first floor of Grim Hall.

The 30th annual undergraduate and 15th annual graduate research conference will take place April 20. The deadline for abstracts is Feb. 20.

2017 SRC Important Dates
Go to the SRC Website

The Center for International Education Abroad and the Career Center will partner together to host an informative presentation at 4 p.m. Feb. 28 in Violette Hall 1436 on how students can effectively market their study abroad experience to graduate schools and future employers.

For more information, contact the Center for International Education Abroad at ciea@truman.edu or 660.785.7466 or contact the Career Center at careers@truman.edu or 660.785.4353.

This semester, an elevator pitch contest named Bulldog B.I.T.E. could win aspiring entrepreneurs more than just bragging rights as the contest offers a top prize of $3,000.

An elevator pitch outlines the concept or idea for a product, service or project in a short period of time, typically from 30 seconds to three minutes. The length of the pitch mirrors the time spent waiting for and riding an elevator in a high-rise building. The purpose of the pitch is to spur the interest of a potential investor or financial backer.

Bulldog B.I.T.E., which stands for Business Innovation by Truman Entrepreneurs, is open to any student or team of students — up to three members — enrolled during the 2017 spring semester. A student or team may submit only one pitch concept for the contest. Participants may pitch for-profit or not-for-profit concepts.

Students will submit a concept or idea for products, services or solutions to problems facing humanity in a video pitch no longer than two minutes by 11:59 p.m. March 6. The video should not include any props, except the product prototype, and should be one continuous shot. The video submission should include: name of the individual or team members; problem or issue being addressed by the concept; product description; target market; competitive advantage of the concept; value creation; and expected future use of prize money.

Judges will select six finalists to present their pitch to a live panel of judges, April 7. The top three finalists will receive cash awards: the cash prize for first place is $3,000; second place is $2,000; and third place is $1,000. Pitch participants, judges, alumni and audience members are then invited to a networking event following the competition.

The Bulldog B.I.T.E. is sponsored by Villhard Growth Partners and Mastercard. On campus promotion is provided by the Career Center.

For complete details and entry information, click here.

Alumnus Doug Villhard (center) talks with the finalists of the first Bulldog B.I.T.E. elevator pitch competition in March 2016. The competition is returning for the spring semester, and student entrepreneurs will compete for $6,000 in total prizes.

New summer and semester programs are available for study abroad in Australia at Bond University.

Located on Australia’s Gold Coast, Bond University is an hour’s drive from Brisbane, with easy access to attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, some of the world’s finest beaches and the large rain forest areas of the north. The university is Australia’s first and largest private university and offers courses in a variety of disciplines, including accounting, communication and media, health sciences, psychology and more.

For more information, visit ccisabroad.org/program.php?link=australia_bond. Applications for the summer semester are due March 1. For more information and to apply, contact the Center for International Education and Study Abroad, located on the first floor of Grim Hall, at 660.785.4076 or at ciea@truman.edu.

Meg Edwards, assistant professor of political science, led 25 students from her Model United Nations course to participate in the American Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference in Chicago in late November. Truman students represented Iraq and Argentina in the four-day conference, alongside approximately 1,500 participants from 93 universities. Truman was recognized with an Outstanding Delegation Award for Exceptional Representation of Iraq as a party to the dispute to the historical security council of 1990. Ben Terrell and Duane Price served in this role, alongside their other duties on Iraq’s delegation.

Mia Pohlman, a student in the MA in English and the MAE-English programs, and past Fulbright grant recipient to Greece, has been nominated by Truman for the 2017 Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools’ Excellence in Teaching Award. This award was created by MAGS to raise the attention given to excellence in teaching and mentoring as a component of graduate education and the preparation of graduate students for future service as college and university faculty. The award recognizes graduate students who exemplify excellence in the teaching/learning mission of the University’s values.

Barry Poyner, professor of communication, presented a lecture and participated in a panel discussion on “The Life of George DeHoff: A Rhetorical Biography” at the Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship in Henderson, Tenn., Feb. 6. Poyner’s 1986 master’s thesis focused on “The Secular Speaking of Evangelist George W. DeHoff.”

PWC Office Hours
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 8
Violette Hall Counter

PWC Open Hours
1-3 p.m.
Feb. 8
Violette Hall Lobby

Anders CPAs Application Deadline
Feb. 9

Expo Bootcamp
7-8 p.m.
Feb. 21
Student Union Building 3202, 3203, 3204

Entrepreneurship Conference
All day
Feb. 27
TBD

Career Week
Feb. 27-March 2

Resumania
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Feb. 27
Barnett Hall

Resumania
12-2 p.m.
Feb. 27
Ophelia Parrish

Resumania
2-4 p.m.
Feb. 27
McClain Hall

SCORE Mock Interviews
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Feb. 28
Student Union Building 3201, 3202, 3203, 3204

Etiquette Dinner
5:30-7 p.m.
Feb. 28
Student Union Building Alumni Room

Employer Info Sessions
7:15-8:30 p.m.
Feb. 28
Student Union Building 3201, 3202, 3203, 3204, 3000

Career & Grad School Expo
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
March 1
Student Union Building

Professional Photos by Tim Barcus
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 1
Student Union Building 3204

MAE Leadership Series
6-7 p.m.
March 1
Student Union Building Alumni Room

Employer Presentations
6-7 p.m.
March 1
Student Union Building 3201, 3202, 3204, 3000

Interview Day
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 2
Student Union Building

Deloitte Interviews
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 6
Student Union Building 3201, 3203, 3204

Aldi Dinner
6-7:30 p.m.
March 6
TBD

Aldi Interviews
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 7
Student Union Building TBD

Real Life 101
7-8 p.m.
March 7
Student Union Building 3202

BKD Interviews
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 8
Student Union Building 3204

PWC Preview Session
4-6 p.m.
March 8
Off Campus

PWC Interviews
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 9
Student Union Building 3201, 3202, 3203, 3204

Ernst & Young Interviews
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 21
Student Union Building 3201, 3202, 3203

Real Life 101
7-8 p.m.
March 28
Student Union Building 3202

Real Life 101
7-8 p.m.
April 4
Student Union Building 3202

KPMG Interview
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
April 6
Student Union Building 3201, 3202, 3203

Advanced Sports Management Interviews
8:30-9:30 a.m.
April 19
TBD

Advanced Sports Management Interviews
8:30-9:30 a.m.
April 21
TBD

Real Life 101
7-8 p.m.
April 25
Student Union Building 3202

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program online application is open for students participating in credit-bearing study abroad programs and international internships during the summer 2017 and fall/academic year 2017-18 terms. The Gilman program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries where they go.

There will be presentation and information sessions from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 in Magruder Hall 1098. Interested Truman students should contact the Center for International Education/Study Abroad at ciea@truman.edu. Summer 2017 and fall/academic year 2017-18 applications are both due by 11:59 p.m. March 7.

For more information about the Gilman scholarship, webinar schedules and other helpful resources, including subscription to Gilman advisor newsletters, visit iie.org/gilman. The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who receive federal Pell Grant funding.
 
Truman Gilman alumnus Shannon Marshall will be available for assistance in developing an application at the following times:

Feb. 6
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Magruder Hall

Feb. 8
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Magruder Hall

Feb. 22
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Study Abroad Office
Grim Hall, First Floor

Feb. 24
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Study Abroad Office
Grim Hall, First Floor

Feb. 28
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Study Abroad Office
Grim Hall, First Floor

March 2
4-5 p.m.
Study Abroad Office
Grim Hall, First Floor

The Fulbright UK Summer Institute Programmes offer students the opportunity to be immersed in the study of British academics and culture. Students will take part in research, collaboration, presentation and cultural events at a British university. They will enhance their leadership skills, develop knowledge and understanding of new subjects and become ambassadors for the United Kingdom and the United States. The awards will cover the majority of all costs incurred, including flights to and from the U.K., university fees and room and board at the host university.

Students from all areas of study are encouraged to apply. To meet the minimum eligibility, applicants must:

• be a U.S. citizen and possess a U.S. passport;
• be at least 18 years old;
• have a high level of academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.7 (confirmed by grades, awards and references);
• have at least two years of university study upon their return (i.e. applicants should currently be a freshman or sophomore in college/university)
• be mature, responsible, independent and open-minded

The deadline for 2017 applicants is Feb. 23. Questions should be sent to the Fulbright Awards staff.

Applications for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s German Chancellor Fellowship will open March 15. The German Chancellor Fellowship allows recent university graduates to spend one year conducting a project of their design with the host of their choice in Germany. The project can be in any field, but should be research-based and create a positive social impact. Benefits include full financial support, a language course, and a study tour culminating with meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel. For more information on the German Chancellor Fellowship and application process, visit humboldt-foundation.de/web/german-chancellor-fellowship.html. Although applications will not be due until Sept. 15 applicants are encouraged to begin drafting project proposals and securing host affiliations early.

Truman State University Foundation scholarship applications for Truman students in 2017-18 are now available. Applications can be submitted and revised until the deadline of midnight, March 9. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Student Finances, Scholarships, Foundation Scholarship Application.

This is the primary application process for current students. The process is competitive. To learn more, click on Guidelines and Helpful Hints on the Foundation Scholarship application page on TruView.

Foundation scholarships are available thanks to the generous private gifts of alumni and friends.

FlipKey will be awarding one student with a $1,000 scholarship to put toward studying abroad. This can be used for any expenses associated with studying abroad, from plane tickets, to tuition to spur-of-the-moment excursions. Eligible students should submit a 1,000-word essay to press@flipkey.com describing why travel is important to him or her. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15. For more information and eligibility requirements go to flipkey.com/study-abroad-scholarship.

Many scholarships and stipends are offered for a number of study abroad trips to locations in Spanish-speaking countries. These are available to current members of the Truman chapter of Sigma Delta Pi. Truman credit can be earned for participation in the Veritas program and for stipends ($2,000) used for study abroad through a Truman-sponsored program. Applications must be submitted to the faculty advisor of Truman’s Rho Rho chapter of Sigma Delta Pi. For more information go to sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Undergraduate.Study.Abroad.Awards.html.