Vol. 23 No. 15 - Dec. 3, 2018

Truman’s December graduation ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 15 in Pershing Arena, with alumnus Dominic Armstrong providing the commencement address.

Since his graduation from Truman in 2002, Armstrong has established himself internationally as an artist of superb and distinguished musicality and characterization.

Armstrong has taken the stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. His body of work includes performances in “The Turn of the Screw,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Carmen,” “The Beggar’s Opera,” “La Bohème,” “Ghosts of Versailles” and Mozart’s “Requiem.” Among the ensembles he has performed with are the New York Opera Society, the Boston Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia, the Russian National Orchestra, the Los Angeles Opera, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Center for Contemporary Opera and the Chicago Opera Theatre.

During the current season, Armstrong performed the role of Macduff in Verdi’s “Macbeth” with the Syracuse Opera. On the concert stage, he appeared with the Florida Orchestra for Tippett’s “A Child of Our Time.” Later this season he will appear with the Kaohsiung Symphony for a New Year’s concert and the Portland Symphony for Rachmaninoff’s “The Bells,” along with a national tour of Puccini’s “Tosca” in France.

Armstrong’s numerous prizes and awards include Truman’s own Gold Medal Aria Competition, as well as being one of the Grand Finalists in the 2008 National Council Auditions with the Metropolitan Opera and a 2013 George London Foundation winner.

In addition to his Truman degree, Armstrong has master’s degrees from The Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute.

Family and friends unable to attend the event in person can view it online here.

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.

The Theatre Department’s play direction class will present the work of nine new directors in one-act plays at 8 p.m. Dec. 6-8 in the Ophelia Parrish Hall James G. Severns Theatre.

Taught by assistant professor David Charles Goyette, the class 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.

Dec. 6
“Feeding the Moonfish”
By: Barbara Wiechmann
Directed by: Nick Frost
Two co-workers form an unlikely bond amid tragedy, hope and the talking fish.

“The Man Who Couldn’t Dance”
By: Jason Katims
Directed by: Julie Amuedo
Eric, Gail’s old boyfriend, visits for dinner and meets Gail’s baby. What ensues is a discussion about their past relationship, how they’ve come to where they are now and why Eric can’t dance.

“Medea”
By: Christopher Durang
Directed by: Cameron Smith
In an Off-Off-Off-Off-Off-Off-Broadway production of “The Trojan Women,” the cast become confused and find their way into actually performing the ancient story of Medea.

Dec. 7
“Space”
By: Laura Jacqmin
Directed by: Natalie Cohen
A couple fights to be together when more than just space separates them.

“On the Porch One Crisp Spring Morning”
By: Alex Dremann
Directed by: Joel Wilper
A mother and daughter sit on their porch sipping coffee, but shortly disclose that they are both actually assassins, and each has been hired to kill the other.

“Still Life”
By: Seth Kramer
Directed by: Amanda Morris
One year after a fire injures Michelle’s hands and destroys her artwork, David tries to help her cope and adjust.

Dec. 8
“Dog Park or Sexual Perversity in Magnuson”
By: Dennis Schebetta
Directed by: Cat McMahan
It’s a dog-eat-dog world. Four dogs living life in Magnuson.

“Please Have a Seat and Someone Will Be With You Shortly”
By: Garth Wingfield
Directed by: Julie Noringriis
Two almost strangers initiate an awkward conversation in their psychologist’s waiting room.

“The Future is in Your Tiny Hands”
By: Jonathan Rand
Directed by: Rachel Seabaugh
Kaitlyn Parker and Eddie Grantwood square off for the political debate of the century: student president of their elementary school.

Truman will celebrate the holiday season with a performance by m-pact at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium as part of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

M-pact is a group respected worldwide as a cutting-edge trailblazer in the realm of a cappella music. Imagine the smooth soul of Sam Smith, the percussive power of “Stomp,” the funk and groove of Bruno Mars, the sophisticated harmonies of Take 6 and the brass bite of the Michael Bublé Big Band – all created by the human voice alone.

As seen in the PBS special “L.A. Holiday Celebration,” the warmth and elegance of m-pact pairs perfectly with an evening of holiday favorites. Audiences can’t help but get in the giving spirit as the guys share selections from their award-winning album, “The Carol Commission,” plus a few other surprises.

Tickets for m-pact are $10 each, including tax. They can be purchased at the cashier window in McClain Hall, at Edna Campbells in downtown Kirksville or online at lyceum.truman.edu. If tickets are still available on the day of the performance, they can be purchased at Baldwin Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m. For more information, call 660.785.4016.

Truman and A.T. Still University will cohost “Medicare for All: The Road Forward” at 4 p.m. Dec. 5 in Baldwin Hall 114.

Wendell Potter, an investigative journalist, author and former insurance company executive, will present the talk. He first came to national attention when he testified to Congress about the damage caused by the misinformation campaigns he helped create as vice president of communication for Cigna. Before leaving Cigna, Potter become an advocate for Medicare for All.

After spending several years at Cigna, Potter had a life-changing moment when he witnessed long lines of uninsured Americans desperately waiting for health care at a county fairground. He realized the damage he had been doing by helping create the misinformation used by the insurance industry. Ultimately, this led him to testify before Congress, become a nationally prominent author and found the investigative journalism group Tarbell.org. He will soon be announced as the president of the Business Initiative for Health Policy.

Potter’s compelling personal story, understanding of midterm elections and insight about the future of the Medicare for All movement will be discussed.

Hosted by the students for a National Health Program, Physicians for a National Health Program, Missourians for Single Payer and Truman’s Economics Department, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. James Adams or call 660.665.8008.

The Staff Council will collect winter clothing for the Kirksville Primary School, Ray Miller Elementary School and other community children in need, Dec. 3-14. Drop-off locations include McClain Hall, Student Union Building and Pickler Memorial Library. Scarves, mittens and other warm clothing are suggested for donation.

The Staff Council is sponsoring a Holiday Door Decorating contest for staff, faculty and students. Those interested in participating should email Diane Sandefur by Dec. 5. Judging will take place Dec. 10.

The SRBI will sell holiday treat bags from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5 in Violette Hall. Candy treat bags will be $1, candy and hot chocolate mix treat bags will be $2 and notecards for delivery will be $1.

Students can learn about Career Center services and career coaching opportunities from 3:30-5 p.m. Dec. 5-6 in Blanton-Nason-Brewer 1302. French-press coffee and snacks will be provided.

The staff council will sponsor a blood drive from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Student Union Building. Those who would like to make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 660.785.4222.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association will present about high school officials at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 in Pershing 3102. Kenny Seifert, assistant executive director of MSHSAA, will explain the process of becoming an official and to answer any questions audience members may have.

Dec. 10-12
9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Dec. 13-14
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 15-16
Closed

Dec. 14
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Dec. 15-16
Closed

Dec. 17-21
7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 22-26
Closed

Dec. 27-28
7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 29-Jan. 6
Closed

Jan. 7-11
7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Jan. 12-13
Closed

Jan. 14-18
Resume Regular Hours

Jan. 19-20
Closed

Jan. 21
3-10 p.m.

Dr. Elizabeth Barkley will host a full-day workshop for faculty from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Student Union Building.

Barkley is a co-author of “Student Engagement Techniques,” “Learning Assessment Techniques” and “Interactive Learning.” Recently, she has been announced as one of the keynote speakers at the 2019 Teaching Professor Conference in New Orleans, La., but she will present first at Truman.

More information about Barkley can be found here. The schedule for the workshop will be as follows:

Terms of Engagement: Understanding and Promoting Student Engagement
9-11:30 a.m.
Student Union Building Georgian Rooms
A common challenge for many college teachers today is achieving persistent, high-quality student engagement. In this interactive workshop, Barkley will offer a dynamic, five-component model for understanding what ‘student engagement’ means and then use the framework to identify strategies for promoting engagement. Attendees will leave with a repertoire of practical strategies for teaching in a manner that fosters sustained attention and elicits students’ best work in today’s challenging teaching and learning context.

Buffet lunch
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Student Union Building Activities Room

Making Lectures Interactive and Engaging
12:30-3 p.m.
Student Union Building Georgian Rooms
Educators today would be hard-pressed to identify a teaching technique more heartily maligned than the lecture. But lecturing can be very effective if done well and in ways that promote active learning. In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn strategies for creating and presenting more engaging lectures that also support student learning through class activities designed to encourage student preparation, attention and application of newly learned information.

Faculty who plan to attend need to RSVP here by 5 p.m. Jan. 4.

Laura Ney and Hanna Burke, soccer, received all-region honors from two organizations following their 2018 season. Ney was a first-team selection from the United Soccer Coaches Association in addition to second-team back on the Division Two Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA). Burke was selected as second team for both the United Coaches Association and D2CCA.

Barry Poyner, professor of communication, served as parliamentarian at the legislative assemblies of the National Communication Association Annual Convention in Salt Lake City. He participated in a forum and presented a paper on “Parliamentarians at Play:  Maintaining Civility and Conflict Resolution through Parliamentary Procedure using Games, Simulations, and Rules of Order,” Nov. 11. The program was sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Communication Division.

Lawrence Woods, kick return specialist for the football team, was named to the D2 Conference Commissioners Association all-Super Region 3 team. Woods was also named one of four Great Lakes Valley Conference players to earn first-team honors in addition to first-team offense.