Vol. 23 No. 4 - Sept. 10, 2018

Truman has topped the U.S. News & World Report rankings for the 22nd year, and its inclusion on several supplemental lists proves the school is offering a student-focused, high-impact, great-value education that produces graduates with the skills to flourish in today’s world.

Truman is the No. 1 public school in the Midwest regional rankings and the No. 9 school overall for the area. The University stands out as the only public school in the top 25 spots for the Midwest region.

As is commonly the case, Truman fares well on the Midwest region Best Values list, coming in at No. 2 overall. It is the highest-rated public school on the list and the only one to make the top 10 in the subcategory.

The 2019 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings also included some web exclusive recognitions, and Truman stands out in terms of faculty and innovation.

In the Midwest region, Truman was tied for No. 5 overall on the Best Undergraduate Teaching list. It was the No. 1 public university and the only one among the 23 schools to be highlighted.

Truman was also in elite company in the Midwest region on the list of Most Innovative Schools, coming in tied for No. 6 overall. Truman was again the No. 1 public school, one of only two on the list of 16.

“Truman has been a fixture for years in this ranking, and many others, because we focus on producing graduates who are extremely well prepared to excel and advance in their chosen fields and who emerge as true leaders ready to thrive in the complexities of a rapidly changing, technologically advanced, multicultural world,” University President Susan L. Thomas said. “Being able to do all that, at a very reasonable cost, is why Truman is such an exceptional university.”

U.S. News & World Report bases its rankings on several indicators of academic excellence, including graduation and retention rates, assessment by peers and counselors, student-to-faculty ratio and alumni giving rate. Schools are grouped by academic mission into 10 categories for 10 distinct rankings. Complete listings are available at usnews.com/colleges.

As part of this year’s Spirit Day festivities, the “Bulldogs Biggest Fan” photo contest on Facebook offers a chance to win a VIP Homecoming Package. The package includes: four tickets to the Bulldog Forever tailgate; four tickets to the football game; four Truman Homecoming T-shirts; Bulldog Forever koozies; and one hotel room for Oct. 12-13. Bulldog fans can take the following steps to enter:

Step 1: Take a picture displaying Truman pride in celebration of National Truman Spirit Day.

Step 2: Send photos to bulldogforever@truman.edu by 11:59 p.m. during National Truman Spirit Day, Oct. 5.

Step 3: All pictures will be uploaded to an album titled, “Bulldogs Biggest Fan 2018” published by the Truman State University Alumni Facebook page. Voting will take place from the morning of Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. The picture with the most “likes” and “shares” will win.

Each participant has an unlimited number of submissions. For more information, visit the Spirit Day website.

After concluding the photo contest Oct. 10, Truman’s Homecoming will be shortly after, Oct. 12-14, with a variety of events. Bulldog fans are encouraged to visit campus as Homecoming is a time to gather with old friends and create new memories.

Alumni, family and friends can attend annual events such as the tailgate, parade, athletic events, Golden Alumni Reunion Luncheon, Alumni Leaders Conference, Bulldog Forever 5K run/walk and the Bulldog Forever Banquet. The weekend features additional events such as campus tours and planetarium shows, to name a few. The schedule is being updated regularly, so check online for updates.

To purchase tickets or apparel, visit the online store. A detailed schedule of events is on the Homecoming website.

Representatives of the Communication Disorders Department accept the Bulldog Award during the Fall Opening Assembly.

During the Fall Opening Assembly several staff members were recognized.

The Bulldog Award is a yearly honor that recognizes “shared team achievement” for outstanding customer service practices. Truman’s success depends on employees and departments who have demonstrated exceptional customer service to individuals within and/or outside the University. Faculty and staff nominate a department based on exceptional service efforts that exemplify the community spirit of the University. At the assembly, the Bulldog Award was presented to the Communication Disorders program and the Institute for Academic Outreach.

The Communication Disorders Department received the Bulldog Award for a variety of reasons. For example, the Truman Speech and Hearing Clinic provides year-round services to the University, community and public. Student clinicians and faculty from Truman’s Communication Disorders program provide speech, language, and hearing screening, assessment and treatment services through the clinic. The student clinicians work under the direct supervision of faculty. Because such services are scarce in northeast Missouri, the clinic draws clients from a 100-mile radius, typically serving more than 1,000 people each year.

The Institute for Academic Outreach received the Bulldog Award for its effort to generate revenue, increase enrollment and expand Truman’s public profile. The Institute inherited the Joseph Baldwin Academy and Taiwan at Truman and has extensively developed and grown both programs. Its outreach to the K-12 community is significant, promoting and growing the University’s enrollment activities in high schools, online and on-ground professional development courses for teachers.

The Points of Excellence awards were also handed out at the Aug. 15 ceremony. Staff who received the honor typically demonstrate innovation, diversity, acts of service to both the community and students, Truman values and an excellent work performance. Recipients included: Lana Bogart, School of Business; Ron Collinge, Public Safety; Janes Dreamweaver, Student Recreation Center; Beth Oberman, Information Technology Services; Joyce Schmitz, Classical and Modern Languages and Brad Turnball, Multicultural Affairs.

Lastly, The Mark and Robin Gambaiana Purple Pride Award was presented to Bethany Gibson based on her exemplary service to many departments at Truman. Gibson received several nominations for this award, praising both her work in her current position in the Academic Affairs Office and her prior position in the Advancement Office.

The Bulldog Award, Points of Excellence and Mark and Robin Gambaiana Purple Pride Award are presented yearly based on staff nominations. Nomination forms can be found here.

Truman’s Detours magazine’s photo contest is now open until Oct. 14.

The contest is open to any photos the photographer finds to best fit the chosen theme, “Perfect Timing.” The winners will be featured on the Detours magazine website. Entries must include the location of the picture as well as the photographer’s name. No watermarks should be on the photos. There is a limit of three submissions per photographer. Participants are encouraged to include a short caption describing the story behind the photo. By entering the photo contest, participants grant Detours magazine permission to use their photos in any or all web and digital publications.

Submissions may be emailed to editor@detoursmagazine.com. Additional rules can be found here.

The annual Family Day Barbecue will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 on the Student Union Mall. Rain site will be the Student Union Building.  

Applications are now being accepted for the May 2019 study abroad course in South Africa, AFR 300 Conservation and Management of African Mammals. This faculty-led course is open to all majors who are adventurous and passionate about wildlife and want to experience conservation in action. Students will receive specialized training in live, wild game capture while working with Parawild in Limpopo Provenience, South Africa. The course will also include a tour of Kruger National Park, one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa. This is a “get out of the bus and get messy” course. The information session will take place at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in Magruder Hall 2007.

Additional information and the application are available on the course’s study abroad page or by contacting the instructor, Stephanie Foré. Applications are due on or before Oct. 15.

Truman’s social wall integrates all of Truman’s major social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. This wall arranges Truman’s most recent posts into a convenient feed to be all viewed at once. This feed can be found at social.truman.edu/wall.

The Society of Prim Roses will host its Fall Recruitment 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10-14 in the Student Union Building. The Society of Prim Roses is an independent sorority that focuses on sisterhood and service.

11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sept. 11-12
Student Union Building Georgian Rooms
Click here for more information.

An informational meeting for the Spring 2019 Missouri Government Internship Program will take place at 4:45 p.m. Sept. 12 in McClain Hall 212.
 
The Missouri Government Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in the fast-paced world of state politics. Selected interns will work as full-time staff assistants with a legislator or state public official. By interning at the Missouri Capitol, students will expand their knowledge of state government, build a diversified professional network and establish a basis for future professional positions.
 
Many former interns have subsequently taken positions as legislative directors, chiefs of staff, judicial clerks, policy analysts, lobbyists and public officials as a direct result of what they learned and the connections they made as interns.
 
The varying daily tasks throughout each office could include attending public hearings, completing legislative research, writing and editing published materials, constituent relations or assisting with basic office work.
 
The Truman State University Foundation provides selected interns with a stipend. Interested students should click here for more information and to view the internship application. Additional information will be presented at the Sept. 12 meeting. Questions can be directed to Candy Young or Heidi Templeton.
 
Applications will be accepted until 12 p.m. Sept. 25. Interviews for the internship will take place Oct. 3-4.

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, University Counseling Services and Residence Life are offering QPR-A-Thon. This event is open to all staff, faculty and students.

The University will celebrate Constitution Day Sept. 16-17. There will be a Constitution escape room from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. The reading of the Constitution will take place at noon Sept. 17 on the steps of Kirk Memorial (rain location: Student Union Building). President Susan L. Thomas will read the preamble. Lourdes Nicholls will be presenting “The Other December 7th” at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in Violette Hall 1000 as part of the MAE Diversity Series and Constitution Day speaker.

Delta Sigma Pi will host info nights prior to recruitment at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13 in Violette Hall Room 1424. Recruitment will consist of the following events:

Community Service Night
7-9 p.m.
Sept. 16
Student Union Building Activities Room

Meet the Chapter Dinner
7-9 p.m.
Sept. 17
Newman Center

Professional Speaker
7-9 p.m.
Sept. 18
Student Union Building Activities Room

Trivia Night
7-9 p.m.
Sept. 19

“End Times”
Charles Gran, associate professor of music
8 p.m.
Sept. 19
Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall

The Vietnamese Student Association will host Across Vietnam, an annual cultural event to enjoy traditional food and games of the country, from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 23 on the quad. The theme is Vietnamese folklore, which will be connected to the food prepared. Tickets are $6 or $4 for a vegetarian meal. Tickets can be purchased Sept. 13-14 and 17-19 on the quad, at the Student Union Building or in the Center for Student Involvement Office. For more information contact Dinh Huy Phan.

Guest speaker, Dr. Randy T. Simmons, will speak on free market environmentalism. The event is free to the public 7 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Baldwin Hall Little Theatre.

Simmons, professor of political economy at Utah State University, earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Oregon with an emphasis in public choice. He is a senior fellow at the Property and Environmental Research Center as well as the independent institute. He has written several books, including “Beyond Politics: The Roots of Government Failure” and “Nature Unbound: Bureaucracy vs. Environment.”

George Shinn, professor of biology, published his article “Ultrastructure of Meelsvirus: A Nuclear cirus of arrow worms (phylum Chaetognatha) producing giant “tailed” virions” in PLOS ONE.

Thomas Trimborn, professor emeritus of music, has an article entitled “Bernstein at 100: Lessons from a Teacher’s Teacher” appearing in the September issue of The Instrumentalist magazine. Helping to mark the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth, the article relates to how Trimborn’s childhood fascination with the maestro led to words of advice from the legend himself years later.

Expo Bootcamp
6 p.m.
Sept. 24
Student Union Building 3201-04
Learn the basics of working an expo, appropriate dress and resumes. Refine your 30-second commercial and learn how to find all of the registered attendees for the Expos.

Mini Mock Interviews
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 25
Student Union Building 3201-04
Nervous about face-to-face interactions with employers? Get some last-minute practice with our staff of mock interviewers in quick 15-minute sessions

Personal Statement Writing Workshop with Donald Asher
TBD
TBD
Sept. 25
Donald Asher, an internationally acclaimed author and speaker specializing in professional development and higher education, will help students write their own personal statements for graduate school applications. Students must bring a fully charged laptop to the session and will leave with a rough draft of their statement. Pre-registration required on #HireTruman.

Graduate and Professional School Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 26
Student Union Building Activities Room
Speak with recruiters from grad schools and learn about opportunities in your field.

Law School Admissions 101 Informational Session
4-5 p.m.
Sept. 26
TBD
Join Lauren Butler, associate director of admissions at University of Missouri-Kansas City, to learn everything you ever wanted to know about law school admissions.

Career and Internship Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 27
Student Union Building
Speak with recruiters from non-profit, for-profit and governmental agencies to learn about opportunities in your field.

Professional Photo Booth
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 27
Student Union Building 3204
Get a free professional photo taken by Tim Barcus, University photographer.

Pre-selected Employer Interviews
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sept. 28
Student Union Building

Additional details can be found here.