Vol. 11 No. 7 - Oct. 10, 2006

Students interested in exploring career opportunities with The Boeing Company received an inside look during the second annual “Boeing Blitz Day” held Oct. 3 on campus.  

A dozen representatives of The Boeing Company, virtually all Truman alumni, spent the day interacting with students and faculty in the Divisions of Business and Accountancy and Math and Computer Science.

Class presentations by Boeing officials included topics such as planning and budgeting, developing leadership qualities, branding and business development, information technology and career opportunities with the company.

“‘Boeing Day’ is designed to offer the firm  greater access and visibility with our students,” said Renee Wachter, dean of Business and Accountancy. “It also provides an opportunity for our students to learn from alumni, and for the University to extend our thanks for a great corporate partnership.”

Nearly 240 alumni are employed with Boeing, in areas such as finance and accounting, information technology, supplier management and procurement, and software engineering.

Boeing is also rapidly climbing the University’s cumulative gift charts. The company presented President Barbara Dixon with a $50,000 gift during its visit to campus, designated for student scholarships and a pilot project to redesign and strengthen the Master of Education in Teaching program.

Truman is one of 10 schools in the United States selected by Boeing for a special grant to further its pre-service education program.

Boeing is Truman’s second largest corporate donor and ranks among the University’s top 10 largest donors with nearly $270,000 in cumulative giving.

Truman State University’s 2006-2007 Faculty Forum will present W. Michael Ashcraft, associate professor of religion, and Dereck Daschke, associate professor of philosophy and religion, in a program titled “The Study of New Religious Movements: A History and New Contribution” as its premiere event, at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in Violette Hall 1000.

Ashcraft and Daschke will discuss cults or new religions and how scholars have come to define and study them. They will also introduce a new way of categorizing these religious groups that is addressed in their recent book “New Religious Movements: A Documentary Reader.”

A reception and book signing will follow the presentation in the Violette Hall upstairs commons.

The Faculty Forum will present another program titled “Genomics and Bioinformatics at Truman State University: Constructionist Thinking From a Traditionally Reductionist Sub-discipline” at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in Magruder Hall 2001. In this presentation Professor of Biology Brent Buckner will describe the fundamental concepts of genomics and bioinformatics technologies highlighting the maize genomic undergraduate research ongoing at Truman State University.

With the fall Career Expo 2006 quickly approaching, and December graduates looking to get their feet wet in the corporate world, a visit by Brian Keck, president and chief operating officer of Macy’s Midwest, to Truman Sept. 26, made a positive impression.

Keck spoke to students about the task of managing their job search and becoming successful in today’s corporate world.

The focus of Keck’s speech was on the transitions graduating seniors face going into the corporate world, and success differentiations all students could take with them to implement in their personal and professional lives. He emphasized the point that for an upcoming transition to be successful, students need to figure out what is most important in their lives, and then order those goals according to urgency. Keck also reiterated that not all of students’ attention should go to matters that are urgent; sometimes students need to step back and evaluate what is really important to help them get ahead in life, according to Keck.

Keck split the success determinants into three parts: attitude, the 20/60/20 rule and working as a team to achieve more.

According to Keck, attitude is the key factor in getting ahead at a job. Employees who have a take-charge attitude, and take initiative in their work, are the ones who get ahead in their careers. The 20/60/20 rule refers to the fact that most big businesses tend to spend more time focusing on the bottom 20 percent of their workforce, instead of focusing on the middle 60 percent, or the employees who are looking to make it to the upper echelon within their company. Finally, Keck explained his belief that companies should emphasize employees working as a team, in order to achieve greater productivity.

Keck concluded his speech with a question and answer session. Several informative answers came out of the questions, including details about
Macy’s training program for its new employees, as well as being genuine when responding to interview questions.

The 10th annual Ronald E. McNair Heartland Research Conference, held Sept. 24-26 in Kansas City, Mo., showcased eight of Truman’s McNair Scholars as presenters. Participants at the conference were given the chance to present their research in a friendly yet formal academic setting, meet other McNair Scholars, explore opportunities for graduate study and become eligible for a drawing to win a scholarship.

The following Truman students presented at the conference: Ashley Adams, a junior sociology/anthropology major from Belleville, Ill., presented “The Politics of Biracial Identity: An Exploration of How Internalized Oppression Manifests in Black/White Mixed-Race People;” Christopher Peterson, a senior sociology/anthropology major from Chesterfield, Mo., presented “Patriarchal Dissidence: An Analysis of the Relationship Between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency Until 1989;” Jerard Leverson, a senior communication major from Dolton, Ill., presented “The Tension Between Sports as Business vs. Sports as Education: An Analysis of NCAA Division II Football Programs;” Kelly Haley, a senior exercise science major from Calumet City, Ill., presented “Is Acculturation Related to Type and Amount of Physical Activity in Hispanic Adults with Type 2 Diabetes?”; Nohemi Alvarez-Landa, a senior nursing major from Greenwood, Mo., presented “The Health Impact of Industrialization on Women with Histories of Maquiladora Employment in the Ciudad Juarez Region;” Danielle Leveston, a junior art major from Riverdale, Ill., presented “Perceptions of Self-Images Among Black Children Illustrated Through Their Artwork;” Sunshine Wilson, a senior communications disorders major from Kansas City, Mo., presented “Infants Response to an Expressive Face vs. Non-Expressive Face;” and Tiffany Caesar, a senior Spanish major from St. Louis, presented “It Doesn’t Quite Translate: The Relationship Between African and African Americans on the Truman State University Campus.”

Vanity Gee, a junior economics and music double major from Belleville, Ill., also attended the conference.

Highlights of the conference included individual student research presentations, a graduate recruitment fair, speakers and panel discussions, a workshop on the graduate admissions process and opportunities to interact with graduate school faculty and staff. 

Beta Alpha Psi, a honorary fraternity for financial information students, recently pulled its resources together to hold a canned food drive at Wal-Mart Sept. 24, for the local Salvation Army.

The organization raised $50 in cash, along with filling eight shopping carts with non-perishable food items.

Beta Alpha Psi members Hollie Thomas, Christine Novak, Nancy Dhalby, Jill Zoellner and Chris Mattix, Adam Trusty and Angela Williams all helped with the food drive.

Truman State University employees considering retirement who are eligible for MOSERS “80 and Out” rule, and who are at least 50 years old with a sum of age and years of service credit equaling 80 or more, or who have 15 years of full-time service at the University and are at least 57 years of age at the time of retirement are reminded that the window for Truman’s modified supplemental retirement plan began Oct. 1 and will run through Dec. 15.

The modified supplemental retirement plan is voluntary, and the current window is for applicants for retirements before July 1, 2007. This will be the final application window for the current plan.

For employees whose applications are accepted for the Modified Supplemental Retirement Plan, the University will provide the same health insurance coverage as is available to eligible retirees until they reach 65 years of age, and the employee may purchase health coverage at the same retiree rates for their eligible dependents. The employee may purchase conversion life insurance at the same rates as other retirees.

Acceptance of application is not automatic and is subject to budgetary constraints. Preference for employee selection will be given to applicants whose positions will be eliminated or reduced in salary, or whose job descriptions will be significantly modified, after retirement. Preference will also be given to applicants whose retirement dates best accommodate the University’s budgetary limits.

The Modified Supplemental Retirement Plan Board’s full policy is defined in Section 10.110 of its Code of Policies. Visit the Modified Supplemental Retirement Plan Web site at http://hr.truman.edu/benefits/msrp/ for more information. Interested employees, or employees with questions, should contact Curt Devan, director of human resources, at devanc@truman.edu, or Matt Moore, benefits coordinator, at mrmoore@truman.edu.

Truman State University’s Center for International Education (CIE) has applications available for the Truman State University Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship for summer 2007. Ten $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to students studying abroad for summer 2007, based on financial need, statement of purpose and academic achievement. Students may pick up an application in the CIE, Kirk Building 114. Applications are due by noon, Jan. 26, 2007.

Foundation scholarships are also available for Truman students in the spring 2007 semester. Applications are online and are due by midnight on Oct. 31.  To apply, go to http://www.truman.edu, Current Students / Foundation Scholarships or click here:  https://secure.truman.edu/isupport-s/.

A new chemistry scholarship has recently been established. Bonnie Mason established the Tricia M. Mason Memorial Chemistry scholarship in loving memory of her daughter Tricia M. Mason (‘01). Tricia was a chemistry major, loved her experience at Truman, and was a dedicated chemist deeply involved in research. She passed away in 2003.

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a chemistry major with preference given to a student from a single parent home with financial need. This scholarship will be renewable with a 2.75 grade point average or higher. Applications are available now this and due Oct. 31 for awarding it this spring.

Applications can be found at https://secure.truman.edu/isupport-s/ or go to http://www.truman.edu Current students / Foundation Scholarships.

Students interested in gaining experience in the electoral process of the United States and Missouri government system have an exciting opportunity for first-hand experience. Missouri Secretary of State Robin Clanahan and Adair County Clerk Jim Lymer are currently recruiting students to serve as Adair County poll workers during the Nov. 7 mid-term United States Congress and State of Missouri government elections.

In order to be eligible to be an Adair County poll worker, students must be registered to vote in Adair County, and must declare their political party affiliation. Workers will be paid a honorarium for their service on Election Day, Nov. 7, and will be paid minimum wage for their time at a training session that will be scheduled shortly before the election.

Interested students should submit their name, local mailing address, e-mail and telephone number by noon Oct. 12 to the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) located in the lower level of the Student Union Building. Students may also submit information over the phone by calling the CSI at 785.4222.

Students’ names and information will be forwarded to Adair County Clerk Jim Lymer, who will contact prospective students with more information and specifics about training and Election Day obligations.

6 p.m. • Oct. 11 • Violette Hall 1236

The meeting will give interested students the chance to learn more about eligibility for, application to and benefits of the McNair Program.

Contact McNair Program Coordinator Sarah Haas at 785.5407 for more information.

“Stem Cell Research Around the World”

7 p.m.
Oct. 12
Magruder Hall 1000

This presentation will examine the status of stem-cell research worldwide. What role are Missouri researchers playing in this international medical frontier? Presented by Sandra Aoust of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, and Phil Slocum, D.O., vice president for medical affairs, A.T. Still University.

Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 785.4391 for more information.

The final deadline for applications to the Missouri Government Internship Program is Oct. 13.

Interviews for that application period will be conducted from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 17.

The Missouri Government Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for students to intern at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo., with a public official, legislator or state agency during the spring 2007 semester.

Contact the Public Relations Office at 785.4016 for more information.

Begin planning now for the Fall Expo

1-5 p.m.
Oct. 25
Student Union Building

More than 100 companies from a wide variety of fields have signed up to attend.
Keep checking the Career Center Web site at http://career.truman.edu, and click on Career Expo to see the growing list of companies who plan to attend.

The Career Center will be giving tips during the next few weeks on how to prepare students for the Expo.

The Career Center will host “The Career Doctor is In” from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 10 to focus on resume review, advice on how to introduce yourself to an employer and how to work a career fair.

Contact the Career Center at 785.4353 for more information about the Fall 2006 Career Expo.

Pickler Memorial Library

7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Oct. 12

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Oct. 13

noon to 5 p.m. • Oct. 14

Resume regular hours • Oct. 15

Student Recreation Center

6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Oct. 12

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Oct. 13

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Oct. 14

4-7 p.m. • Oct. 15

“Out in the Real World”

7 p.m.
Oct. 11
Baldwin Auditorium

Admission is free.

Contact Laura Casey at lsc908@truman.edu for more information.

Preliminary Tournament

7-10 p.m. • Nov. 2 • Baldwin Hall

Final Rounds

7-10 p.m. • Nov. 4 • Student Union Building

Registration for the College Bowl Tournament is at the Center for Student Involvement in the lower level of the Student Union Building. Early registration deadline is 4 p.m. Oct. 13. Cost is $5 per individual at the time of registration, or $7 after Oct. 13.  All participants receive a T-shirt. Both individuals and teams are encouraged to sign-up. Double elimination competition begins at Truman to select the varsity team. The varsity team will advance to the Regional Championship Tournament to take place Feb. 22-25, 2007.

If you would like to volunteer to moderate this tournament, contact Sujit Chemburkar at 785.4186 by Oct. 20.

Duo-pianists Martin Cuellar and Melinda Groves will present a recital at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Cuellar will also conduct a Master Class from 9:30-11 a.m. Oct. 19 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. Truman piano majors will be featured during the class.

Both events are open to the public and are free of charge. Contact David McKamie, professor of music, at 785.4405 for more information.

Julia DeLancey, associate professor of art, was invited to present a paper titled “Colors or Cures?: Pigments and Medical Ingredients in Early Modern Italy,” Oct. 2 at a meeting of the Early Modern Seminar held in the Hall Center for the Humanities at the University of Kansas.

Sara Orel, associate professor of art history, spoke on “Egyptian Elite Burials” for the Archaeological Institute of America, St. Louis Society, at its symposium, “Elite Burials” Sept. 30 in St. Louis. She gave a speech titled “Daily Life in Ancient Egypt” Oct. 6 at the University of Central Oklahoma as part of the school’s Passport to Egypt” program. Orel will also be leading discussions for the University of Central Oklahoma’s faculty reading circle on the contemporary Egyptian novel “The Yacoubian Building” by Alaa Al Aswany.

Antonio Scuderi, associate professor of Italian, has been invited to speak at California State University, Sacramento, Nov. 27-28. He is scheduled to give a presentation on the legacy of the Italian Renaissance comedy, known as the commedia dell’arte, and its continuing influence on contemporary comedy. While there, Scuderi will also teach a class on Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”

Mark Spitzer, assistant professor of English, had his garticle “When Gars Attack” accepted for publication in “Big Muddy: A Journal of the Mississippi River Valley.” A “garticle” is an article written about the gar fish.

Truman’s United Way fund-raising campaign has raised $32,648 to date, which is 58.3 percent of the $56,000 goal.

The Student Activities Board (SAB) will present Dashboard Confessional with opening act Brand New at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 in Pershing Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets for students are $15 and are now on sale, while general admission tickets will go on sale Oct. 13 at a cost of $30. Tickets are available in the SAB office on the third floor of the Student Union Building.

DEPThS will have its weekly meeting from 8-9 p.m. Oct. 10 in Baldwin Hall 249. A topic on the Quakers will be presented. Contact Dan Johnson at dan@truman.edu for more information.

The DriveSafe DriveSmart campaign will take place from Oct. 10-12. Designed to inform students of the dangers of distracted driving, the campaign will feature a speaker from the Adair County Ambulance District at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in Violette Hall 1010. Contact Greg Day at gmd110@truman.edu for more information.

The Center for Teaching and Learning’s Weekly Lunch Series will continue to highlight “Teaching for Critical Thinking” for faculty and teaching staff from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

Van driving classes are scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 in the Public Safety Building. Class sizes are limited. People may reserve a space by calling 785.4177. Participants need to allow a minimum of two hours for this class.

There will be a Physics Colloquium at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in Magruder Hall 2001. Martin Pohl, a professor in the department of physics and astronomy at Iowa State University, will be speaking on the topic of “The Energetic Particles and Gamma Ray Bursts.” Refreshments will be served at 4:20 p.m. Visit http://physics.truman.edu/colloquia/ for more information about the Colloquium Series.

Edward Jones will have an informational meeting from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Violette Hall Upstairs Commons. Edward Jones will give a brief presentation about who they are, as well as career information with the company. Pizza and soda will be served after the presentation. Contact
Lana Dowell at 785.4346 for more information.

A memorial service for Chris Dothage will take place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Flame to the Second Century, located north of Kirk Memorial and will move to the Quadrangle. The rain site for the service will be the Student Union Building Lounge. Contact David Lusk at the Center for Student Involvement.

The Liberal Studies Roundtable Lunch Series is continuing this week with “Discipline Self-Examination Focused on Student Recruitment and Retention and Faculty Resources” presented by Marc Rice, Patricia Mickey, Mira Frisch and Tom Hueber (all from Fine Arts) from noon-1 p.m. Oct. 12 in Pickler Memorial Library 205. R.S.V.P. to the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@truman.edu or by phone at 785.4391 to order a complimentary boxed lunch for the event.

The Tournée Film Festival will be showing “Mondovino” at 6:40 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Downtown Cinema 8 movie theater. The film is free to Truman students, faculty and staff. This is the third film in the series. The movie is 135 minutes long. All films are in French with English subtitles. The Tournée Film Festival is sponsored by the Truman State University Divisions of Fine Arts, Language and Literature, Social Science and Education, and the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Applications for the Golden Leadership Award are due Oct. 12 in the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nomination forms. Contact the CSI at 785.4222 or at csi@truman.edu for more information.

The Truman Horse Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at the University Farm. The Truman Equestrian team hosts and competes in the Truman Horse Show. Contact Kate Randall at equestrian@truman.edu for more information.

The Truman men’s rugby team will have a game against the University of Kansas rugby squad at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Rugby Field, located on Florence Street, directly below the Truman Tennis Courts.

The University Society of Middle Eastern Dance will be having Halloween candy gram sales from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16-18 in the Student Union Building.

Stephen Hadwiger, associate professor of nursing, will give a Folklore Colloquia titled “Philippino Folk Medicine” from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 18 in Baldwin Hall. Hadwiger will be speaking on his studies of the points at which folk and mainstream medical remedies intersect in the Philippines.  

There will be Homecoming fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the South Field. Fireworks will begin immediately  following the Homecoming Pep Rally. The event is sponsored by the Student Activities Board.

Alpha Phi Omega will have an alumni reunion from noon-3 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Ryle Hall Commons. Present and former members are invited to enjoy desserts, volleyball and brotherhood together. E-mail kelsey@truman.edu for more information.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council will have its Homecoming Step Show 2006 at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in Baldwin Auditorium. Contact Tiffany Johnson at ttj221@truman.edu for more information.

Want to know how good your French is? Assessment and Testing along with the French program is offering an opportunity to determine your level of French with an internationally-normed exam by taking (at no cost) the ETS Test de Français International, from Canada, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in Violette Hall 1224. Please register by e-mail at nasher@truman.edu by Oct. 22 with TFI in the subject line, and in the message include your full name and phone number. The test will take about three hours to complete.