Vol. 21 No. 32 - May 8, 2017

William Fries, a senior computer science and business double major, won the 2017 Bulldog B.I.T.E. elevator pitch competition in April.

This is the second year for the event. Fries also took the top spot last year. As the winner, he earned a prize of $3,000 for his immediate photo encryption concept.

Isaac Speed, a computer science major, earned second place and $2,000 for his pitch of a notification app for individuals struggling with depression. The team of Basanta Khadka and Babin Shrestha finished third and won $1,000 for their pitch of environmentally friendly disposable plates and bowls made from leaves.

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, allowed participants to pitch a for-profit or not-for-profit concept. Judges selected six teams to attend the live pitch competition April 7 in the Student Union Building on Truman’s campus to present their concept to a panel. Contestants were judged based on the problem, product/service solution, market, competition, value creation, seed money, a Q&A session and the presentation of the concept.

The final round judges for Bulldog B.I.T.E. were alumni Amanda Gioia (’93), Marco Ilardi (’99), Chris LeBeau (’05), Cody Sumter (’10) and Bryan Witherbee (’94). The first round judges for the competition were alumni Amy Gryder (’97) and Ron Thomas (’65).  

Alumni Doug (’94) and Diane (’95) Villhard, along with Mastercard, sponsored the 2017 Bulldog B.I.T.E. competition.

The annual Graduating Student BBQ will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 10 on the Mall.

All May and August 2017 undergraduate and master’s graduates are invited to attend. The complimentary meal includes burgers, hot dogs, drinks and dessert. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available on request. This will be an opportunity for graduates to pick up other gifts such as their first official Bulldog Forever alumni t-shirt.

Those who are unable to attend can stop by the Office of Advancement, McClain Hall 205, after May 1 during regular office hours to pick up their t-shirt and goodie bag. T-shirts will also be given out at commencement, immediately following the ceremonies.

The Truman Alumni Association is sponsoring this event. For more information, contact Jordan Ganter, coordinator of alumni relations, or check out the Facebook event.

Rain site for this event is the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

The Delta of Missouri Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa initiated 38 Truman students, April 30.

The Department of Theatre will present the 10-Minute Play Festival at 7 p.m. May 9 in Severns Theatre.

Nine students in David Charles Goyette’s upper-level playwriting course were assigned to draft, critique and revise a 10-minute play, knowing at the end of the semester the play would be performed. The finalized scripts were handed off to Dana Smith’s staged readings course where students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the contents and bring the plays to life.

While some students were enrolled in both courses simultaneously, others were only enrolled in one course. The process resulted in camaraderie and the strengthening of the theatre community.

Below are the nine plays to be performed.

“A Broken Arm”
By: Mitchell Flottman
Directed by: Dakota Heer

“April Showers”
By: Violet X Odzinski
Directed by: Nicholas Huber

“Clockwork”
By: Natalie Cohen
Directed by: Seth Betzler

“The Death of Marat”
By: Lawrence Jennings
Directed by: Keaton Richey

“The Gramps Gambit”
By: Dakota Heer
Directed by: Francis Kemper

“No Cell Phone Policy”
By: Montana Carlson
Directed by: Michaela Duing

“Republique”
By: Keaton Richey
Directed by: Lexi Diaz

“Risk of Danger”
By: Nicholas Huber
Directed by: Mitchell Flottman

“Secret Admirer”
By: Catherine McMahan
Directed by: Cameron Smith

Admission is free, and there is no ticket required for admission. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some plays contain strong language, violence and adult themes.

The Truman Clarinet Choir will perform at the 49th Annual Summer Convention of the Missouri Bandmasters Association, June 19 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo.

The ensemble is currently made up of 21 clarinet students and two guest percussionists. The concert, titled, “Music From Around the World,” includes Masanori Taruya’s “A Picture Book Without a Picture,” Jan Van der Roost’s “Rikudim: Four Israeli Folkdances,” Dimitri Shostakovich’s “Polka from the Golden Age,” Alexis Ciesla’s “Seven Sparks” and Zequinha Abreu’s “Tico Tico.”

Directed by Jesse Krebs, associate professor of music, the Truman Clarinet Choir performs literature specifically composed for clarinet choir, as well as transcriptions of well-known works by composers. The group has also commissioned and premiered new works, including “The Shaman Speaks” by Vivian Fung in 2009.

The Truman Clarinet Choir has traveled the country for decades to perform – from the 1965 New York World’s Fair and the 1967 Canadian World Exposition in Montreal, to the 2012 Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, the 2012 Buffet/Vandoren Clarinet Ensemble Festival and the 2013 Music Teachers National Association Conference at the Disneyland Resort. The ensemble also regularly performs for the community, including concerts at local elementary schools and assisted living centers.

Due to major renovations scheduled at Stokes Stadium through late summer, spring commencement will involve three separate ceremonies, May 13 in Pershing Arena, and will feature three different speakers.

The first ceremony will begin at 9 a.m., and Cole Woodcox, professor of English and next director of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), will give the address. Mindy McCubbin (’97), director of equity investments at Shelter Insurance Companies in Columbia, Mo., is the scheduled speaker for the second ceremony at 1 p.m. The final session will take place at 4 p.m. with Michael Schwend (’83, ’90), president of Preferred Family Healthcare giving the address.

Having three ceremonies allows the University to accommodate the large number of graduates, as well as their families and friends. Tickets will not be required for any of the ceremonies. For those who are not able to attend the ceremony, it will be live streamed on the Truman website at livestream.com/tmn. There will also be space available for viewing in the Student Union Building, but be aware that the weather can impact the audio and video signal quality of both the graduation display on the campus televisions and the web stream.

Graduates and their guests are encouraged to use the following hashtags on social media during the lead up to graduation and through the ceremonies: #TrumanGraduation #TrumanGrad #BulldogForever.

Questions may be directed to the Registrar’s Office at registrar@truman.edu or 660.785.4143.

Commencement Schedule
9 a.m.
For candidates receiving:
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music

1 p.m.
For candidates receiving:
Bachelor of Science (accounting, agriculture, athletic training, chemistry, computer science, exercise science, health science, justice systems, linguistics)
Master of Arts
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Science

4 p.m.
For candidates receiving:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Science (biology, business administration, communication disorders, economics, history, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, sociology and anthropology)

This spring, as students begin to move out for the summer or graduate, several Kirksville stores are willing to accept donations of furniture, appliances and clothing that is no longer needed. When donating items please remember to make sure they are clean, in good condition and seasonal. For those students living off campus looking to dispose of items that are not in good condition and cannot be donated, contact City Hall at 660.627.1224.  
 
Kirksville locations that will accept donations:

The Crossing Thrift Store
1105 S. Baltimore
660.956.0587
Monday-Saturday
10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Additional availability by appointment
Offers assistance with moving large donations

Helping Hands Mission
402 N. Elson
660.730.5041
Tuesday-Saturday
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Additional availability by appointment
Offers assistance with moving large donations

Out Reach Mission
301 N. Elson
660.627.1155
Tuesday-Saturday
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Additional availability by appointment
Offers assistance with moving large donations

Salvation Army
420 S. Baltimore
Monday-Saturday
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
660.665.4326

Scrapper’s Den
106 E. Illinois
660.627.3399
Monday-Saturday
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

There will be a retirement celebration in honor of Donna Rhinesmith, professor of education, from 2:30-4 p.m. May 10 in the Violette Hall Commons. No RSVP is required, and refreshments will be served.

Students can now nominate an outstanding full-time faculty advisor for the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award. To nominate a faculty member, complete the online nomination form. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. May 12. Academic advisors are not eligible. For questions regarding the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award, contact Marianna Giovannini.

The Registrar’s Office is looking for volunteers to pass out programs at each of the three ceremonies. Anyone interested in participating can contact Maggie Herron.

Study abroad this summer, June 30 through Aug. 5, at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, England.

Ormskirk is a small, friendly 12th century market town, close to the cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The town offers a wide range of cultural and leisure pursuits, such as live music, theatre, sports, cinema, the arts and shopping. Ormskirk also offers visits to the beautiful Lake District, moody Yorkshire moors or traditional seaside towns in North Wales.

Each week includes a full day and two half-day excursions with one week also being a five-day excursion to London with hotel costs included. Edge Hill presents the opportunity to take courses in literature, British culture and heritage, or business and entrepreneurship.

Edge Hill also offers a $500 tuition discount for all students taking the business and entrepreneurship course this summer. The summer application deadline is May 15. For more information, visit the England Edge Hill Summer program website.

To apply, contact the Center for International Education Abroad in Grim Hall, by phone at 660.785.4076 or by email at ciea@truman.edu.

The 2017 Truman Homecoming Committee will be posting updates, contests and more on various social media outlets during the summer.

Accounts include a Homecoming Facebook page, a Twitter account with the handle @HomecomingTSU, an Instagram account @trumanstatehomecoming and a website.

Homecoming 2017 will take place Oct. 8-14.

Ten students will be recognized as Honors Scholar graduates for Spring 2017.

Honors Scholar medals will be awarded at a pre-commencement ceremony at 4 p.m. May 12 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Truman’s Honors Scholar Program offers outstanding students the opportunity to select rigorous courses in the liberal arts and sciences component of their degree programs.

The honor is awarded to graduating seniors who have completed five approved courses, with at least one from each of the four areas of mathematics, natural science, social science and humanities. They must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.5 in those courses and an overall grade point average of 3.5.

Spring 2017 Honors Scholar Graduates

Leela Chapman, Chemistry and English

Christy Crouse, Political Science and Spanish

Alec Graham, History

Jared Heern, Political Science

Paulina Ann Massey, Computer Science

Melinda Mathews, Mathematics

Ariana Schulte, Linguistics

Khala Schulte, Business Administration (Finance) and Mathematics

Mary Tomlinson, Communication (Journalism)

Zachary Vogel, Biology

The Service Recognition Lunch will take place at 12 p.m. May 17 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Honorees receive two complimentary tickets. Others may purchase tickets at $10 each before May 12 in the Human Resources Office, McClain Hall 101.

Five-Year Honorees
Jenna Canfield, Biology
Carlla Casey, Physical Plant
Heather Cianciola, English/McNair Program
Gretchen Dahl, Residence Life
Anton Daughters, Anthropology
Rebecca Dierking, English Education
Julia Edgar, Communication Disorders
Meg Edwards, Political Science
John Elam, Physical Plant
Amy Fuller, Chemistry
Melissa Garzanelli, Business Office
Charisse Hatfield, Registrar’s Office
Kristin Kennedy, President’s Office
Danielle Martel, Residence Life
Kathy Otero, Accounting
Richard Pitaniello, Library
Carolina Sempertegui-Sosa, Biology
Megan Swingle, Residence Life
Jonathan Vieker, Center for Academic Excellence
Kelly Walter, Agricultural Science
Jessica Wohlers, Sodexo
Betty Jenkins, Sodexo
Patrick Mawby, Sodexo
Matthew Lloyd, Sodexo
Denise Penick, Sodexo
Russel Penick, Sodexo

Ten-Year Honorees
Timothy Baker, Physical Plant
Pamela Carte, Regional Professional Development Center
Emily Costello, Agricultural Science
James D’Agostino, English
Datha Damron-Martinez, Business Administration
Lorinda Davenport, Business Office
Matthew Derezinski, Art
Ilene Elmlinger, Communication Disorders
Ted Frushour, Center for Academic Excellence
Vayujeet Gokhale, Physics
Jack Holcomb, Center for Academic Excellence
Terrie Howard, Business Office/ Advancement
Thomas Kearney, Athletics
Don Krause, Communication
Brian Kubin, Music
Clifford Lumsden, Physical Plant
Matthew Magruder, Admission
Rosa Mendez, Center for International Education
Chad Montgomery, Biology
Dee Dee Moore, Academic Affairs
Larry Sayre, Physical Plant
Lillie Schubert, Physical Plant
Mark Schultz, Campus Planning
Lori Shook, Campus Planning
Sheila Thurman, Regional Professional Development Center
Lori Ladwig, Regional Professional Development Center
Stachia Vorhees, School of Science and Mathematics
Marilyn Yaquinto, Communication
Michelle Smith, Sodexo
Jacque Wifgall, Sodexo
Martha Williams, Sodexo

Fifteen-Year Honorees
Tim AuBuchon, Music
Sharon Crook, Physical Plant
Marie Delaney, School of Arts and Letters
Heather Ervin, Chemistry
Darla Humphrey, Physical Plant
Barbara Kramer, Chemistry
Cella Lile, Physical Plant
Daniel McGurk, Library
Amanda Medlock-Klyukovski, Communication
Arletta Nelson, Budget and Planning/President’s Office
Teak Nelson, Nursing
Elizabeth Oberman, Information Technology Services
William Page, Physical Plant
Barbara Price, English Education
Mark Rogers, Physical Plant
Eldon Rouse, Physical Plant
Leon Shears, Public Safety
Wynne Wilbur, Art
George Jackson, Sodexo

Twenty-Year Honorees
Kathryn Brammall, History
Kathy Conner, Physical Plant
Alan Garvey, Computer Science
John Green, Physical Plant
Pamela Johnson, Student Health Center
Brian Lamp, Chemistry
Danny McDowell, Student Recreation Center
Doris Nelson, Physical Plant
John O’Brien, Chemistry
Brian Payne, Physical Plant
Becky Pike, Advancement
Adrien Presley, Business Administration
Antonio Scuderi, Italian
Mary Shapiro, Linguistics
Bryan Waddle, Physical Plant
Debbie Watson, Physical Plant
Larry Western, Physical Plant
Robin White, Financial Aid
Chad Whittom, Public Safety
Twila Johnson, Sodexo
Donna Lloyd, Sodexo

Twenty-Five Honorees
Debra Cartwright, Business Administration
Jacqueline Collett, Music
David Conner, Psychology
Adam Davis, English
Paul Detweiler, Physical Plant
Robert Fisher, Physical Plant
Joe Hamilton, University Counseling Services
Susan Hamilton, Library
Ian Lindevald, Physics
Christopher Maglio, Education
Andrea Maag, Center for Academic Excellence
Barb Newcomer, Business Office
Benjamin Ogden, Spanish
Sherri Palmer, Psychology
Terry Palmer, Psychology
Melissa Passe, Communication Disorders
Ann Weidner, University Counseling Services
Charles Combs, Sodexo
Edward Dunlap, Sodexo

Thirty-Year Honorees
Nancy Asher, Assessment & Testing
Michael Blum, Business Administration
Robert Cacioppo, Mathematics
Michael Corrick, Physical Plant
Melanee Crist, Center for International Students
Shannon Jumper, Russian
John Neitzke, Computer Science
Tammy Roberts, Information Technology Services
George Shinn, Biology
Chein-Hsing (Jane) Sung, Economics
Mohammad Shahmoradi, Sodexo

Thirty-Five Year Honorees
Debra Kerby, School of Business
Betty McLane-Iles, French

Fifty-Year Honorees
Marianna Giovannini, Center for Academic Excellence

Retirees
Russell Baughman, Chemistry
Faith Beane, Russian/French
Terry Billington, Physical Plant
Dexter Brookhart, Public Safety
Charles Bunfill, Printing Services
Robert Cacioppo, Mathematics
Bradley Chambers, Advancement
Peggy Clark, School of Social and Cultural Studies
Richard Coughlin, Library
Lora Cunningham, Sodexo
Ronald Erickson, Chemistry
Lou Ann Gilchrist, Student Affairs/Counseling
Neil Gilchrist, Business Administration
Judy Gooch, Business Office
Mariquit Hadwiger, Nursing
Stephen Hadwiger, Nursing
David Hudnall, Physical Plant
Patrick Lecaque, Center for International Education/French
Elaine McDuff, Sociology
Ralph Miller, Physical Plant
Cheryl Miller, Physical Plant
Cinda Mitchell, Nursing
Debra Nothdurft, Center for Academic Excellence
Kathleen Powell, Academic Affairs
Stephanie Powelson, Nursing
Catherine Poyner, Accounting
Jeanette Regan, English/Communication
Donna Rhinesmith, Education
Elaine Scudder, School of Science and Mathematics
Randall Smith, Music
Eduardo Velasco, Physics
Cathy Williams, Student Recreation Center
Cole Woodcox, English
David Wohlers, Chemistry
Tom Zoumaras, History

The Truman Department of Public Safety (DPS) wants to remind the campus that bicycles must be removed from campus property before leaving for summer break. Exceptions will be made for students taking classes during the summer.

DPS will tag all bikes left on campus after May graduation. If the tag is not removed by May 30, the bike will be deemed abandoned and seized by DPS.     

Abandoned or unclaimed bicycles will be kept for six months. After that time the owner shall presumed to have abandoned the bike, and it will be sold at a University auction. Junk bikes (i.e. damaged or un-repaired) abandoned on campus will be disposed of as trash.

As students finish the semester, they are reminded to consider the following campus bicycle guidelines:

* Bicycles parked on campus must be left in bicycle racks, which are provided in locations outside of most University buildings.

* Bikes are not to be left in buildings, entrances, ramps or any other hazardous location.

* Bikes should not be attached to any trees or light poles.

* Bicycles that are illegally parked are subject to parking tickets and/or confiscation by the Department of Public Safety.

* Anyone operating a bicycle must obey the same traffic control regulations that apply to cars and motorcycles, such as stopping for stop signs and riding in the right-hand portion of the roadway.

* When cycling on the roadway bicycles must be ridden with the flow of traffic and not against it. Bicyclists must also obey one-way street designations and are subject to all traffic laws.

* Bicycles ridden after dark must be equipped with a headlight, large red reflector on the rear, and white or amber pedal and spoke reflector.

* Bicycles should be ridden on streets, not on sidewalks, lawns or University-maintained parkways.

For more information, contact Department of Public Safety at 660.785.4176 or visit police.truman.edu.

May 8-10
9 a.m.-11 p.m.
 
May 11-12
9 a.m.-7 p.m.
 
May 13-14
Closed
 
May 15-19
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
May 20-21
Closed
 
May 22-26
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
May 27-29
Closed
 
May 30-June 2
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
June 3-4
Closed

Specific areas may be closed for periods of time without advance notice for cleaning.

May 12
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

May 13-14
Closed

May 15-19
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

May 20-21
Closed

May 22-26
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

May 27-29
Closed

May 30-June 2
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. To have an officer dispatched for a non-emergency, call 660.665.5621.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available May 30.

Schwarzman Scholars is a highly selective, fully funded international scholarship program designed to prepare future leaders for success in a world where China plays a key global role. Anchored in an 11-month professional master’s degree in global affairs at Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University, the program provides scholars with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, engage in high-level interactions with Chinese leaders and visiting speakers and learn from world-class faculty through a dynamic core curriculum and concentrations in public policy, international studies or business and economics. The Schwarzman scholars experience also includes unparalleled opportunities outside of the classroom, including internships, senior mentors and travel seminars around China.

The program is open to applicants up to 28 years of age who are fully proficient in English and have completed an undergraduate degree by Aug. 1, 2018. Complete details are available at schwarzmanscholars.org. There will be an open webinar about the program at 12 p.m. May 16.

Through a generous gift from Lloyd and Lois Elmore, a trust has been established to make scholarships of approximately $1,000 per semester available annually, depending on need. Scholarship recipients must be active in a Southern Baptist Church or in a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The scholarship recipients must attend Truman.

Lloyd and Lois (Trower) Elmore operated a family farm in the Gibbs, Mo., community for 50 years before moving to LaPlata in 1968. Lloyd was a member of the Christian Church in Gibbs and LaPlata. Lois was the daughter of a Baptist minister and attended the Southern Baptist Church in LaPlata. She was also a member of the Loyal Bereans Class of the LaPlata Christian Church. The Elmores established the trust fund to provide an educational opportunity for students in the northeast Missouri area who are actively involved in their church.

Truman students are invited to participate in an essay contest sponsored by the Interfaith Center, Student Senate, FAC, the Muslim Student Association and the College Republicans. The contest is based on two speakers who were brought to campus who expressed different views regarding the beliefs of the Islamic faith. Participants have an opportunity to demonstrate their critical thinking and a chance to win a scholarship award. The writers of the two winning essays will receive a $500 scholarship that can go toward tuition or books at Truman. The winning essays will appear on the Student Affairs website during the fall 2017 semester. Click here for complete details regarding the contest, as well as a video of each speaker’s presentation.

Applications for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s German Chancellor Fellowship are now open. 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.