Vol. 22 No. 31 - April 30, 2018

Chad Mohler, left, and Bill Miller pose for a picture with their award plaque. Chad Mohler was named the Educator of the Year and Bill Miller earned Research Mentor of the Year honors during the annual Accolades of Academics banquet.

Chad Mohler was named the Educator of the Year and Bill Miller earned Research Mentor of the Year honors during the annual Accolades of Academics banquet April 17.

These awards seek to honor outstanding faculty at Truman who have devoted extraordinary effort to invest in their students.

Miller is an assistant professor of chemistry. Other nominees include Kevin Tate, Neal McNabb, Sarah Mohler, Stephanie Fore and Stephanie Maiden.

Faculty members honored at the Accolades of Academics banquet were all nominated by students and were awarded by a student-driven committee. Students have the opportunity to nominate instructors for these awards each year at senate.truman.edu.

Alumna Corinne Brinkerhoff (‘02) will provide the commencement address during graduation ceremonies at 2 p.m. May 12 in Stokes Stadium.

Brinkerhoff is a television writer and producer in Los Angeles. She began her career on ABC’s critically acclaimed “Boston Legal,” where she was on the writing staff for three years before moving on to “The Good Wife” on CBS. As part of the writing and producing team, Brinkerhoff was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, two Writers Guild Awards and a PRISM Award, recognizing television writing that accurately depicts important social issues. “The Good Wife” was also honored with a Peabody, American Film Institute’s TV Program of the Year Award and the inaugural Sidney Lumet Award for Integrity in Entertainment.

Brinkerhoff has also worked as a writer and co-executive producer on the detective drama “Elementary” and legal drama “Reckless,” both on CBS, and Golden Globe nominated comedy “Jane the Virgin” on the CW. She created and executive produced the 2016 CBS murder mystery “American Gothic,” in association with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television. She also created and executive produced “No Tomorrow,” an adventure romantic comedy on the CW, nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series at the 2017 Monte Carlo International Television Festival. Most recently, she returned to “Jane the Virgin” as a consulting producer while developing new projects for cable and streaming.

While a student at Truman, Brinkerhoff was a member and officer of Sigma Kappa and worked at the Center for Student Involvement. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2002 and a master’s degree in television production from Boston University in 2004.

A native of Lawrence, Kan., Brinkerhoff currently resides in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles.

Family and friends unable to attend the event in person can view it online at livestream.com/tmn/2018MayGraduation.

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

Anton Daughters, right, accepts the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education from Lt. Gov. Michael L. Parson at a ceremony in Jefferson City. Other Truman representatives attending the meeting were Elizabeth Clark, dean of the School of Social and Cultural Studies, and President Sue Thomas.

Anton Daughters, assistant professor of anthropology, received the 2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, April 7, in Jefferson City.
 
Outstanding faculty members from each Missouri public college or university were recognized at a luncheon hosted by the Council on Public Higher Education for their commitment to excellent education for Missouri citizens.
 
Daughters began his career at Truman in 2012. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and both his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Arizona. He was a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell College from 2010 to 2012. Daughters teaches courses on economic anthropology, globalization, history of anthropological theory, and indigenous North and South America. He carries out field research on the Archipelago of Chiloé in southern Chile, where he runs a study abroad program for Truman students.

Students Sarah Dewolf, left, and Sydney Gwaltney examine specimens in the mammal museum. The facility in Magruder Hall is available for student and faculty research.

Located in Magruder Hall, the mammal museum is a research collection that includes skins, skulls and skeletons of more than 5,000 animals.

The collection was created to preserve specimens for student and faculty research. It offers the opportunity to study evolution and what species is by looking at how a particular species has evolved over time. In two recent studies, the lab was used to study cryptic rodent species and the shrew family. Most of the mammals in the lab are small, such as rodents, and most are from Missouri. Other mammals found in the museum include a dolphin, white-tailed deer, baboon, porcupine and wallaby. In addition to research, students have utilized the collection for projects in art and museum related subjects.

For more information, visit mammalmuseum.truman.edu. To access the collection, email tsumammalmuseum@gmail.com or visit Magruder Hall 3097 during the following office hours: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Tuesday and 12-12:30 p.m. Friday. Student curators will be available during office hours to show visitors the collection.

Internationally renowned steel pan artist Victor Provost will perform with Truman Steel at 8 p.m. May 4 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.

A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Provost is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices on the steel pan. He has developed a reputation as a “dazzling” soloist with a strong foundation in Bebop, a contemporary jazz sensibility, and deep roots in Caribbean music. His recordings and concert reviews have been met with praise from The Washington Post and Downbeat Magazine, and his new album, Bright Eyes, debuted at No. 5 on the iTunes Top 40 Jazz Charts. He is a member of the Grammy-award-winning Afro Bop Alliance and regularly performs with jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Ron Blake and Paquito D’Rivera.

Provost is an adjunct professor of music at George Mason University and conducts residencies and master classes throughout the United States and the Caribbean. He is also an Arts Ambassador to his hometown of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which honored him with a Special Congressional Recognition in 2014, and he returns frequently to perform and teach as part of Dion Parson’s community-based arts initiative, the United Jazz Foundation.

Sponsored by the Department of Music, admission is free. For more information, contact Michael Bump, professor of music, 660.785.4052, mbump@truman.edu.

The Theatre Department’s play direction class will present the work of six new directors in one-act plays at 8 p.m. May 3-4 in the Ophelia Parrish Hall James G. Severns Theatre.

The class, taught by assistant professor David Charles Goyette, directs plays from some of the best playwrights from around the country as a final assignment. The plays had to be published within the last 80 years, between 10-30 minutes in length and without heavy science, costume, light or sound effects.

These final productions represent a synthesis of numerous concepts explored in the course of the semester. Students explored composition and picturization techniques, scene analysis, how to develop a directorial approach and methods on how to work with actors.

The play direction course is required of all theatre majors in order to graduate. Admission is free for the one act plays. For more information, contact Goyette at dcgoyette@truman.edu.

May 3
“I Think You Think I Love You”
By: Kelly Younger
Directed by: Emma Hegemann
A blind first date gets off to a rough start.

“The Make-Up Artist”
By: David Henry Wilson
Directed by: Blaine Shepherd
A makeup artist slowly transforms an actor’s appearance into a decrepit state, as she is harassed and pestered by him.

“Drugs Are Bad”
By: Jonathan Rand
Directed by: Tristin Baro
Instead of following his parents’ strict insistence on sex, drugs, and rock and roll Brad has been studying behind their backs!

May 4
“Kissing Scene”
By: Carl Martin
Directed by: Austin Cable
Two mismatched student actors practice a scene where they have to kiss.

“The Grandfather”
By: Brian Harris
Directed by: Montana Carlson
When Maury’s off-the-wall grandfather moves in, he helps to take Maury’s gaming to the next level.

“Variations on the Death of Trotsky”
By: David Ives
Directed by: Isabella Richards
Trotsky won’t except his death much to everyone’s exasperation.

The Forensic Union poses for a picture after earning fourth in the nation in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the National Forensic Association’s Championship Tournament, April 19-23. Fourteen students traveled to the tournament, including: (front row, from left to right) Maguire Radosevic, Cami Smith, Tyler Behymer, Johnny Christy and Connor Stewart; (middle row) Rebecca Walker, Austin Sopko, Kelsey Barnes, Audrey Baker, Elexis Hubbard, Chris Outzen and Kevin Minch; (back row) Craig Hennigan, Caleb Daniels, Eric Martin, Travis Stahlman and Peyton Gilbert.

The Forensic Union, speech and debate team, earned fourth in the nation in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the National Forensic Association’s Championship Tournament April 19-23 at the University of Wisconsin, Osh-Kosh.

In individual awards, first-years Peyton Gilbert, Maguire Radosevic and Cami Smith each advanced to the double-octafinals. This means they are among the top 32 debaters in the nation. Junior Johnathan Christy and senior Connor Stewart advanced to the octafinals, placing them in the top 16 in the nation. This is Stewart’s first national elimination round and Christy’s third. Junior Tyler Behymer advanced to the quarterfinal. This is his second elimination round appearance at nationals earning him the title of one of the top eight debaters in the nation.

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 individual events, or Craig Hennigan, assistant director of forensics.

Phi Beta Kappa inducted new members April 29. Picture, front row from left to right: Sarah Mabel Connolly, Anna Elaine Bowden, Kyle Anthony Trojahn and Angela Kristene Jennings. Second row: Sarah Katherine Holtmeyer, Sarah Kathleen DeWolf, Katie Danielle Davis, Rachel Elizabeth Flynn and Caitlyn Victoria Lee. Third row: Nadine E. Peterson, Macey Michele Peterson, Donald Bindner, James Kale Harmon, Nils Anders Palumbo and Nala Carlynne Turner.

The Delta of Missouri Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa inducted 21 students April 29.

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest liberal arts and sciences honors society. Truman’s chapter was installed in 2001.

The 21 students inducted include Anna Elaine Bowden, Sarah Mabel Connolly, Katie Danielle Davis, Sarah Kathleen DeWolf, Colin Daniel Drown, Ilennah Lyen Nielo Fanega, Rachel Elizabeth Flynn, Hannah Faye Hall, James Kale Harmon, Sarah Katherine Holtmeyer, Angela Kristene Jennings, Benjamin Robert Lasser, Caitlyn Victoria Lee, Kathryn Ann Maag, Nils Anders Palumbo, Macey Michele Peterson, Nadine E. Peterson, Francesca Lena Schmitt, Robyn Maria Schroeder, Kyle Anthony Trojahn and Nala Carlynne Turner.

In addition to the student inductions, Donald J. Bindner, assistant professor of mathematics, was inducted as an alumni member.

University students dance around the maypole during May Day festivities circa 1912. Photo courtesy of Pickler Memorial Library’s Special Collections Department.

As the spring semester winds down and the weather warms up, spring fever is a fairly common phenomenon on campus. The quad is overrun with students, some actively throw Frisbees while others sit in hammocks and study for their approaching finals. Although these rites of spring have become an unofficial tradition at Truman, the University does have a history of formally welcoming the warmer weather. In the early 1900s, the school regularly conducted May Day activities on campus to celebrate spring.
 
Leota L. Dockery, chair of the faculty committee, wrote about the University’s May Day festivities in the Index in 1914, calling it “one of the most picturesque and inspiring events in the life of most of our schools and colleges.” Most of the departments on campus participated in some way, and all of the students had the opportunity to vote for the Queen of the May and the Lord of the May.

With its new online graduate certificate in data science, Truman is offering working adults with a college degree an opportunity to gain experience in one of the world’s fastest-growing career fields.
 
Data scientists are trained to decipher large volumes of information in order to find trends and gain deeper insight into what it all means. Average salaries can reach well into six figures, and common career paths include business intelligence analysts, analytics managers and research scientists, to name a few.
 
Truman’s online program is the perfect fit for professionals looking to enhance their skill set or considering a career change. It is comprised of five online classes and can be completed in as little as 45 weeks. It’s also a great option for upcoming or recent graduates who want to add additional value to their already valuable Truman undergraduate degree.
 
“This program is designed with the needs of the working student firmly in mind,” said Kevin Minch, associate provost. “Courses are compact and online. An academic success mentor helps students stay on track throughout each course. Students are assessed based on projects that apply the skills they learn to work-relevant topics. Most importantly, they learn the essential skills to apply data science to work promptly, whereas many other programs require the completion of an entire master’s degree before producing a credential you can show your employer.”
 
For convenience, there are multiple start dates available throughout the year. Courses are taught in intensive, eight-week terms, and a flat tuition rate applies for all participants, regardless of where they reside. Open to graduates from all educational backgrounds, the only prerequisites are Computer Science 170 and Statistics 190, or the equivalent from another university. Truman currently offers both of the prerequisites online during the summer term.
 
Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a notation on their transcripts and a certificate suitable for display.
 
Processing for applications has begun and the program will launch in January 2019. Participants who anticipate having to complete the prerequisites are encouraged to do so in summer 2018.

Additional details on the data science program can be found here or by contacting institute@truman.edu.

Studio art senior capstone exhibitions will take place April 30-May 4 in the University Art Gallery, Ophelia Parrish Hall 1114.

Senior studio art majors will display the results of their senior thesis projects in the gallery during the last two weeks of classes. These bodies of work are the result of semester-long projects in the medium in which these studio majors have chosen to concentrate, including printmaking, painting, ceramics, fibers and sculpture. The thesis exhibition for studio art majors completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts will take place April 30-May 4 with a closing reception from 6-7:30 p.m. May 4.

Senior thesis exhibitions are sponsored by the Department of Art. University Art Gallery exhibitions and receptions are free and open to the public.

Sophomore Rory McKeown is the Center for International Education Abroad student of the month for May.

McKeown is a business and exercise science major. He is currently studying abroad at the University of Roehampton located in London, England, through the Missouri-London program.

His favorite class, retail theory and practice, allowed him to meet new friends while working in a group to present a product. In addition to his classes, McKeown plays on the school soccer team and joined a boxing club, and next month, his soccer team will get the opportunity to play in a semi-professional stadium. Through the school’s study abroad student social program, McKeown has visited Oxford, Greenwich and York. He also has traveled to Scotland and Wales.

McKeown chose to study abroad in England because of his family connection and for the opportunity to meet new people.

The Campus Community Campaign allows employees to invest in an area of campus that is meaningful to them. Gifts make an impact at any size by increasing the employee giving percentage. Employees who participate in the campaign by June 1 are entered for giveaways, including a reserved parking spot for a year. To donate, employees can mail or bring their donation to McClain Hall 205, give online or sign up for payroll deduction.

The Fulbright Committee will host a writing workshop from 4:30-6 p.m. May 1 in McClain Hall 208. Students graduating by the end of the 2018-19 academic year who plan to complete a Fulbright application in the fall of 2018 should start their application immediately. The campus deadline will be September 2018. The workshop with provide advice and the chance to work with a faculty mentor on developing the application. Questions can be directed to Meg Edwards.

May 7-9
9 a.m.-11 p.m.
 
May 10-11
9 a.m.-7 p.m.
 
May 12-13
Closed
 
May 14-18
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
May 19-20
Closed
 
May 21-25
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
May 26-28
Closed
 
May 29-June 1
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
June 2-3
Closed

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

West Campus Suites will host its seventh annual balloon party from 8-11 p.m. May 5. There will be music, dancing, desserts and more than 5,000 brightly colored balloons filling West Campus Suite’s Multipurpose Room. All Truman students are invited to hang out at the free event. Participants can come and go as they like. As a warning to those with latex allergies, the event will use latex balloons.

The annual Service Recognition Luncheon will be at 12 p.m. May 15 in the Student Union Building. The list of honorees for this year can be found on the Human Resources website. Honorees can request two complimentary tickets, and additional tickets can be purchased from the Human Resources Office for $10. RSVP by May 8. Questions can be directed to 660.785.4031.

The Wellness Zone will host an event from 6-9 p.m. May 9. The event will include free massages, games, coloring pages and the iPad for various activities.

Join Staff Council members for some light “Punch and Munch” refreshments as a pick-me-up on Reading Day. Stop by to see what other fun games, goodies and giveaways will be waiting. Contact Tessa Prewitt, Winston Vanderhoof or Nicole Stelter with any questions.

Truman, in partnership with IPAG Business School, offers students a unique opportunity for a semester exchange or study abroad trip in France. IPAG has two prestigious centers students can choose to attend. One is located in Paris and the other in Nice along the French Riviera. IPAG Business School is a management school with a goal of preparing its students to become future executives, managers and entrepreneurs. Students can enjoy different cultural attractions, including jazz festivals, shopping, opera, film festivals and other activities and events. The campus offers students a variety of services, including a multimedia center, language labs and an information and business center. Students may also join campus activities such as sports, clubs, cultural activities and international student
associations.

IPAG offers semester-long exchanges and summer-long study abroad programs in both locations. Most courses are taught in English, and no previous knowledge of the French language is needed. Classes offered include: international business law; advertising and promotion; strategic marketing planning; financial management; and principles of accounting. IPAG offers students the opportunity to take French language courses as well.

For the semester exchange program, students who plan on participating pay Truman tuition directly to Truman. This makes payment easy and affordable. Prices and more information for the summer study abroad program can be found here. IPAG assists students with finding shared apartments, but students are responsible for arranging their own housing and meals.

The summer session will take place May 23-June 13 with applications due May 1. The fall session will take place Sept. 2-Dec. 22 with applications due June 15.

To apply, fill out a Truman online application and send a statement of purpose, official transcripts, a copy of passport and two letters of recommendation to the study abroad office in Baldwin Hall 106.

For more information, contact the Center for International Education/Study Abroad, Baldwin Hall 106, 660.785.4076, ciea@truman.edu.

New member induction and Staff Council elections will take place at 12:15 p.m. May 29 in Violette Hall 2451.

The council represents the interests of University staff and works to improve the University community. Staff who are interested in serving on the council should send an expression of interest by e-mail, campus mail or dropping off a note at the Human Resources Office. Questions can be directed to current chair Ryan Miller, ryanm@truman.edu. The Staff Council website can be found here.

Meetings are currently once a month starting at 12:15 p.m. in Violette Hall 2451. There will be open positions in every area of the University.

The summer hours, June 4-July 27, for the Student Recreation Center are as follows.

Monday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tuesday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Wednesday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thursday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday
closed

The Student Recreation Center will be closed July 4 for Independence Day. The hours can also be found here.

Dr. Kay Clapp Literacy Awards
12 p.m.
June 8
Violette Hall Second Floor Commons

Lauren Dale was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week. She gave up just one earned run in 18 innings pitched for a 0.39 ERA. She went 2-1 in three starts with her 12th complete game of the season, which was the 30th of her career. This is the second time in her career earning Pitcher of the Week.

William Fries became the first Truman student to participate in the Reynolds Journalism Institute Student Competition at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His team won first first place for their idea, VeriPixel, which is used to verify photos and identify fake news. Their win earned them an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to meet with industry leaders and investors.

Warren Gooch, emeritus professor of music, was named a 2017 finalist for the American Prize in music composition. His musical composition entitled “Cellgames 2.0” was named a finalist in the “Concert Band/Wind Ensemble: Professional Division” category. The American Prize has been recognizing and awarding excellence in the performing arts since its inception in 2010. Each category of the American Prize is juried by widely regarded performance artists and composers, with conductor and composer David Katz serving as the chief judge.

Jerrold Hirsch, professor emeritus of history, gave an invited lecture, “Losing My Harvard Accent: How Oklahoma Helped B. A Botkin Become America’s Folklorist,” at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, April 11. The lecture was co-sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Honors College, Western History Collections, the Merrick Chair in Western American History, History of Science Department, History Department, Anthropology Department, English Department, Schusterman Center for Judaic and Israel Studies, OU Humanities Forum and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

Savvy Hughes has been invited to compete in the USA Division II volleyball tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The tour will go from May 28-June 6, and she is one of 20 players in the Division II ranks. Hughes is a junior setter and second-team All-GLVC honoree.

Truman was the highest-rated public school in the Consensus Best Regional Universities-Midwest ranking recently released by College Consensus. Coming in tied for No. 7 overall, Truman was the only public school in the top 10 and the only Missouri school in the top 20. College Consensus combines previously published rankings from outlets such as Forbes and U.S. News & World Report with trustworthy student review sites to compute an overall student reviews rating. The complete list of top College Consensus ranked schools for 2018 can be found at collegeconsensus.com/rankings/best-regional-universities-midwest.