Vol. 22 No. 16 - December 11, 2017

Winter commencement ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 in Pershing Arena.

Details on commencement can be found online at truman.edu/registrar/commencement or through the Facebook event. Family and friends unable to attend the event in person can view it online at livestream.com/tmn/2017FallGraduation. Those wishing to share their experiences through social media are encouraged to use #TrumanGraduation, #TrumanGrad or #BulldogForever.

Truman’s own Zac Burden will provide the commencement address. Burden has served as the Missouri Hall director at Truman since 2004. He is in charge of the operational, supervisory and emergency management of the residence hall. He enjoys the opportunity to work with hundreds of new students each year and help make Truman a warm and welcoming home for them. Burden worked with the Missouri Hall community to take it through a $15 million renovation of the facility, reopening the building in 2007. He oversees operations of all seven residence hall desks across campus and has previously offered leadership for Residence Life’s Oktoberfest, athletics engagement, new student recruitment, student staff recruitment and training, and professional staff recruitment. For more information about Burden, listen to his episode of the TruTalk podcast.

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, Sodexo will be offering reusable Green Box to-go containers starting in the spring.

The reusable container can be purchased from any dining hall or Mainstreet Market cashier for a one-time fee of $5. Patrons can fill up the box with food items from a dining hall or ask that their Mainstreet order be placed in the box to take with them. Eco-friendly cutlery will be provided, but diners should bring their own Truman reusable beverage cup.

When users are ready for another meal they simply bring back the dirty container to the cashier and exchange it for a clean one. For times when they are not taking food to-go, they can trade the box for a Green Clip which can be exchanged for a new Green Box at any time.

Because customers will exchange their dirty box for a clean one, they should not deface them with writing, stickers, etc. Broken or defaced boxes will not be accepted for cleaning and/or replacement.

Dining Dollars can be used to purchase a Green Box. Five dollars is the cost of the box. Food items are priced separately.

The Department of Classical and Modern Languages is sponsoring a summer study abroad opportunity taking place in Salamanca, Spain, from May 21 through July 29, 2018. Students who are accepted will spend seven weeks studying at Academia Mester, earning 12 credits.

Courses can count toward a Spanish major or minor, as well as meeting some Liberal Studies Program requirements and general electives. All students will study Spanish grammar and composition (advanced and superior levels), Spanish conversation (advanced and superior levels), peninsular culture and civilization, and choose either topics of Spanish literature or Spanish for the medical professions (must have taken Spanish 330 prior to travel).

Students will stay with a host family and travel to some of Spain’s historically and culturally significant cities including Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Mérida and the beaches of Valencia. Apart from studying at one of the best language institutes in Spain, students will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Spain.

Interested students should have a minimum of one semester of Spanish. For courses to be applicable to either the Spanish major or minor they must be beyond the 202 level. Students who have completed 330 prior to travel will fulfill the Spanish minor requirements with this program.

Any interested students are encouraged to email Stacy Bryant, assistant professor of Spanish, or Andrea Nate, assistant professor of Spanish, for more information.

Starting in the spring semester, students will have two new dining choices in the Student Union Building.

Every Wednesday, Wholly Habanero’s will be transformed into one of two new concepts: Bodacious Burgers and Wicked Wings.

Bodacious Burgers allows diners to build their perfect half-pound burger. Among the available cheeses are pepper jack, cheddar, Swiss or Colby-Jack. Additional toppings include bacon, chili, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions or fresh guacamole, as well as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bread and butter pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise or barbecue sauce. Burgers are served on a brioche bun with curly fries and can be combined with a Coke for $1 more.

Wicked Wings offers traditional or boneless wings, with sauces including pineapple lime, sweet and sour, barbecue, teriyaki barbecue, red pepper chimichurri, classic Buffalo or sweet Thai chili Sriracha. Among the dipping sauces are bleu cheese, ranch and Asian sesame. Served with spicy wedge fries, carrot and celery sticks, orders can be combined with a Coke for $1 more.

 
Truman’s forensic union (speech and debate team) traveled to Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., for the Cameron Christmas Classic tournament, Dec. 2-3. The team took first place in debate sweepstakes, second in overall sweepstakes and earned five new national qualifications in both speech and debate events.
 
In individual events, sophomore Rebecca Walker placed sixth in persuasive speaking on the first day of the tournament, marking her first national qualification for Truman forensics. On the second day of the tournament, sophomore Austin Sopko placed fourth in persuasive speaking. First-year Elexis Hubbard placed third in prose interpretation, marking her first national qualification as well.
 
On the first day of Lincoln-Douglas debate, first-year Peyton Gilbert was named third-best speaker, and sophomore Luke Frogge was named second-best speaker. On the second day of the tournament, Frogge was named third speaker and Gilbert was named first. In addition, Gilbert and fellow first-year Cami Smith were semi-finalists in debate. Frogge advanced to the final round and placed second at the tournament. For all three, this solidified their national qualification in LD debate.
 
This concludes travel for Truman forensics this fall. The team will return in January after break starting with the Iowa Swing hosted by Simpson College in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
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.

One of the primary athletic venues on campus, Pershing Building will be the site of graduation ceremonies, Dec. 16.

Originally constructed in 1957, the building is named in honor of University alumnus and decorated Army veteran John J. Pershing, known for leading the American Expeditionary Force on the western front during World War I.

Four notable expansions to the building have been made over the years, including the addition of the natatorium in 1976 and connection with the Health Science Building in 2010. Historical features still in use include the original terrazzo and the original structural glazed block walls along the corridors.

The arena is home to the Bulldog basketball and volleyball teams, and with the addition of portable side bleachers in 2012, the seating capacity is slightly more than 2,300.

In addition to hosting athletic events, Pershing Building contains offices for athletics, health and exercise science, communication disorders and nursing, as well as a number of classrooms and labs.   

In an effort to provide some relaxation during finals week, the Wellness Zone will be offering free three-minute massages and holiday coloring pages from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 11.

Located on the first floor of Pickler Memorial Library, the Wellness Zone provides a stress-free environment on campus where students, faculty and staff can relax and practice stress management techniques. Massage chairs, coloring, games and puzzles are all available whenever the library is open.

All December graduates are invited to the Graduating Students Pizza Party sponsored by the Truman Alumni Association from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms.

Stop by the pizza party for a complimentary meal of pizza, veggies, drinks and cookies. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available on request. This will be an opportunity for students to pick up other gifts such as their first official Bulldog Forever alumni T-shirt.

Those students who cannot attend may stop by the Office of Advancement, located in McClain Hall 205, after Dec. 11 to pick up their T-shirt and goodie bag. T-shirts will also be given out at commencement, immediately following the ceremony.

Questions regarding the pizza party, goodie bags or T-shirts can be directed to Jordan Smith, coordinator of alumni relations, or check out the Facebook event.

Details on commencement can be found online at truman.edu/registrar/commencement or through the Facebook event. Those wishing to share their experiences through social media are encouraged to use #TrumanGraduation, #TrumanGrad or #BulldogForever.

Two of Truman’s popular summer programs are seeking new leaders in key roles. Faculty, qualified graduates or community members with the necessary qualifications are invited to apply. Information about these positions, the required and preferred qualifications, and how to apply can be found online. 

Persons in these directorships must be eager to work with youth and have an appropriate background in English as a Second Language instruction or health care fields. Review of applications begins Dec. 11 and continues until positions are filled. For questions about these roles, contact Jared Young, coordinator of summer academies and institutes.

The Joseph Baldwin Academy is seeking current Truman students to serve as preceptors for the 2018 summer sessions.

Preceptors live with the students in the residence halls. In addition to serving as resident counselors, they assist faculty members and students in the classroom. Preceptors are expected to be responsible, high-energy individuals who enjoy working with teenage students and are supportive of University goals.

Salary for a three-week JBA session is $1,500, plus room and board. The job looks particularly good on a resume for pre-MAE or MAE students, or those considering work in non-profit, human services or child-focused employment.

Potential preceptors for either academy must be a currently enrolled full-time Truman student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Being a JBA staff member is a 24-hour-a-day commitment, and preceptors may not be enrolled in summer classes. JBA preceptors of all genders are needed.

To apply, potential preceptors can visit tiacademies.truman.edu/employment. Applications can be submitted in McClain Hall 303. In person interviews will be scheduled Feb. 22-24.

Prior to the summer sessions, preceptors will be required to attend orientation in April. They will also need to complete van training through the Department of Public Safety, as well as CPR and first aid training. They will also undergo a background check, including fingerprinting.

For questions about the application process, contact Jared Young at 660.785.5406 or tiacademies@truman.edu.

Denise Smith, Truman’s director of alumni relations, passed away Nov. 9. A number of individuals have asked about a campus memorial to create a lasting legacy in her memory. Based on Denise’s love for gardens, flowers and the outdoors, one of the garden plots on the Mall will be named in her honor. Those who wish to participate in this effort can find more information here.

For more than 20 years, DST Systems, Inc., has administered the annual Gould Scholastic Award in honor of former CEO Robert Gould. This award recognizes outstanding university students who compose exceptional academic papers on topics related to investment management strategies, theories and trends. The award represents Gould’s legacy of effective utilization of operations management and information technology to advance the financial services industry. Student winners are awarded grants in the amounts of $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000 for first, second and third place, respectively, and are celebrated at a special ceremony in Kansas City.  More information about DST can be found at www.dstsystems.com.
 
Eligible participants are: junior, senior or honors program students. Graduate students are not eligible to participate. Group projects are eligible. Each university may submit up to three student papers for consideration of the award.

Student papers should be submitted to the School of Business office by email at sbdean@truman.edu by Dec. 15.

Jan. 3-5
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Jan. 6-7
Closed

Jan. 8-12
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Jan. 13-14
Closed

Jan. 15
3-10 p.m.

Jan. 16
Regular hours resume.

Head coach, Erin Brown, and the Bulldog softball program will host a winter skills camp, Jan. 20, for grades five through 12 inside Pershing Arena. The camp will run from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and registration costs $50. Campers are instructed to dress appropriately, bring tennis shoes, a helmet, glove and catching equipment if they are a catcher. Registration can be done online or with the registration form. Checks can be made payable to Truman State University Softball Camp and sent to: Erin Brown - Softball, Truman State University, Pershing Building 313 A
100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501. Any questions about the camp can be directed to Brown at 660.785.4343 or softball@truman.edu.

The Truman baseball team, along with head coach Dan Davis and assistant Shane Herschelman, will conduct a pair of camps, Jan. 13, and accept registrations for their weekly winter hitting camp.
 
The offense/defense camp will begin at 9 a.m. with a cost of $50 per person and is open to campers in grades 10-12. The camp is limited to the first 30 registrations. The camp will instruct players on proper warm-up, hitting mechanics, tee and soft toss work and bunting, as well as throwing and footwork drills and progressions at each position on defense.
 
The pitching/catching camp will run from 1-4 p.m. with a registration time of 12:30 p.m. The cost is $50 and is open to campers aged 9-18. Pitchers will be taught proper warm-up, mechanics and drills emphasizing pick-off moves, pitch grips and live pitching. Catchers will learn proper warm-up techniques, blocking, framing and footwork drills.
 
The hitting camp runs on Sundays from Jan. 14 through Feb. 11 in the small gym. It is open for players in grades 4-12. Players will gain knowledge on how to use their bodies in sequence to produce maximum results by work off of tees, front toss and live batting practice. The cost is $60 per individual player and groups of four may sign up for a discount of price of $200 ($50/player).
 
All camps will take place on campus in Pershing Arena and the small gym.

The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission applications for the 2018 U.K. Summer Institute Award Programs for U.S. undergraduates are open.  

The Fulbright U.K. Summer Institute Programs offer students a fantastic opportunity to be immersed in the study of British academics and culture. Students will take part in research, collaboration, presentation and cultural events at an esteemed 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.  

Eligible students from all areas of study are encouraged to apply. For summer 2018, there are nine institutes with varied themes and subject areas. These include:

Aberystwyth University Summer Institute      
AIFS Summer Institute with the Globe Education
University of Birmingham Summer Institute
University of Bristol Summer Institute
University of Exeter Summer Institute
University of Sussex Summer Institute
University of Westminster Summer Institute
Queen’s University Belfast Summer Institute
Technology, Innovation and Creativity Summer Institute at the University of Strathclyde and the Glasgow School of Art

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 academic marks, 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)
•    have little or no study/travel experience outside the U.S.
•    be mature, responsible, independent and open-minded

In partnership with U.K. universities, the institute will cover costs, including return U.S./U.K. flights, university fees and room and board at the host U.K. university. Deadline for 2018 is: Feb. 7 for ALL institutes. Programs also vary between three and four weeks. Check the specific institute page for more details. For more information, contact the Fulbright awards staff via email at programmes@fulbright.org.uk.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available Jan. 16.

Summer Pennell, assistant professor of English, was awarded a National Center for Institutional Diversity (NCID) Pop-Up Grant for her project entitled “How Can We Talk About Race in the Classroom?: A Content Analysis of Missouri Learning Standards for K-12 Education.” This NCID grant opportunity supports scholars who are actively engaging with diversity research and scholarship around emerging social issues and who are committed to disseminating findings quickly to the public. The grant will allow Pennell to work with pre-MAE English student Emily Stobbe, and together they will conduct the content analysis and provide a free workshop for local teachers in the spring.

Jasmine Roghair was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Week. This is the ninth time in school history a Truman swimmer has earned that distinction, and the second time for Roghair. Her first award came in January 2015. At a Dec. 2 meet against Western Illinois, Roghair won the 100 free with a time of 55.78 and the 200 free with a mark of 1:58.98. The Iowa City, Iowa, native was also the anchor leg for Truman’s 200 medley relay team that placed fourth with a time of 1:56.36, and Roghair’s split was clocked at 26.83.

The Showgirls dance team took first place in the college jazz category at the National Dance Alliance Battle Spirit Championship in Columbia, Mo., Dec. 2. The team’s next competition will be the NDA Oklahoma Classic Championship in Tulsa, Jan. 13. Current team members include: Allison Tackes, captain; Kelsi Dexter, co-captain; Madison Bailey, Madison Clifton, Olivia Gooch, Alicia Hunsaker, Anna Livingstone, Alli McMichael, Jordon Podgorny, Shelby Smith and Justice Tyson.

The Truman State University Foundation has applications for 2018 Study Abroad Foundation Scholarships available now. These are scholarships established by generous alumni and friends of the University.

Scholarships are for students studying abroad through a Truman-sponsored program. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Student Finances, Foundation Scholarship Application. Applications can be revised any time prior to the Jan. 31 deadline.

The Rainbow Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving LGBTQI student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program. This scholarship is made possible by the generous support of a group of international education professionals who are committed to advocating on behalf of LGBTQI students.

Being a scholarship promoted by the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA), students who plan to study abroad for a full academic year (2018-19) could receive up to $10,000; $5,000 for students who plan to study abroad during the fall (2018) or spring (2019) semester; and awards that are prorated by number of weeks in-country (with a minimum of $1,250) for students studying abroad during summer 2018.

Requirements for this Scholarship include:
•    The Rainbow Scholarship recipient must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
•    Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. (graduate students are not eligible)
•    Study abroad program must be eligible for academic credit at the student’s home institution
•    Study abroad program must include at least four weeks (28 days) in country/countries

Application components:
•    Online application form (includes an unofficial transcript)
•    Financial aid form (to be filled out by financial aid office)
•    Recommendation letter (submitted by a professor or advisor, maximum of one)

Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 10

For more information on the Rainbow Scholarship, and others sponsored by the Fund for Education Abroad, visit fundforeducationabroad.org/rainbow-scholarship. To look at the different study abroad programs offered at Truman visit studyabroad.truman.edu/choosing-a-program/study-abroad-exchange-summerinterim.

For more information and to apply to a study abroad program, contact the Center for International Education Abroad, Baldwin Hall 106, 660.785.4076, ciea@truman.edu.