Vol. 23 No. 29 - April 15, 2019

The annual Graduating Student BBQ will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 8 on the Mall.

All May and August 2019 undergraduate and master’s graduates are invited to attend. The complimentary meal includes burgers, hot dogs, drinks and dessert. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available on request. This will be an opportunity for graduates to pick up their first official alumni T-shirt. Shirts are also available for pick up in the Office of Advancement, McClain Hall 205, after April 29 during regular office hours and at commencement, immediately following the ceremonies.

The Truman Alumni Association is sponsoring this event. For more information, contact Jordan Smith, coordinator of alumni relations, or the Office of Advancement at 800.452.6678.

David Gillette, professor of economics, was awarded Educator of the Year at the Academic Accolades Banquet.

Gillette was chosen for the tangible ways he empowers his students and the outstanding nominations he received. His passions were evident in the observation of his classroom, where each student enthusiastically participated in discussion, and how he utilizes several different forms of media to engage his students including clips from podcasts and extensive graphs which he designed by hand. Gillette's multiple teaching methods including his daily "MIT," which in his essay was described as a short written statement about the most important thing they learned in class that day, also impressed the selections committee.

The finalists for the 2019 Educator of the year were: Torbjörn Wandel, Jesse Krebs, Rafael Tubongbanua, Liulin Zhang, John O’Brien, Christopher Outzen, Sarah Berke, Sarah Mohler, Bev Peters, Michael Rudy and Daniela Ostrowski.

After careful consideration, the selections committee chose Priscilla Riggle as the winner for the Faculty Mental Health Honoree of the Year award for her constant efforts to learn more about mental health and extend what she learns to her students and for setting an example for students, co-workers and the Truman community. Riggle dedicates class time to discussion of these pertinent issues and demonstrates that one can be an effective instructor without jeopardizing student’s well-being.

The finalists for the Faculty Mental Health Honoree of the Year award include: Brent Buckner, James Cianciola, Eric Dickson and Nancy Daley-Moore.

The committee selected Justin Jarvis as the winner for the Research Mentor of the Year award for his video submission which explained how his teaching philosophy rests on two pillars: “love the content, love the student” and “student engagement leads to student achievement.” The selections committee was impressed by Jarvis’ multiple examples of student research which focused on the Kirksville community and his humility and selfless perspective on education.

The 2019 finalists for Research Mentor of the Year include: Cassidy Dobson, Julianna Edgar and Michael Rudy.

The equestrian team represented Truman at the IHSA Zone 7 Region 5 championships, April 6, in Richmond, Ill.

Four riders qualified for this horse show by accumulating points in their respective division over the course of the regular season. Truman’s team qualified to compete in the zone finals which took place April 7. Hannah Patton and Renata Thoeny placed in the top two of their classes and qualified to complete as individuals in the zone finals.

During zone finals competition, one rider from each of the five schools being represented competed in their respective division and earned points toward the team total. Truman was represented by Elizabeth Maune (walk/trot), Marissa Dull (walk/trot/canter), Emily Brightbill (novice flat), Kaitlyn Nance (novice fences), Thoeny (intermediate flat and fences) and Patton (open flat and fence).

Overall the team finished in third place in the zone finals. Patton placed third and fourth in her classes and Thoeny placed ninth. In order to qualify for nationals, individuals or teams have to place first or second.

Chemistry students Peter Windsor and Ari Vera presented posters on their recent research in the Computers in Chemistry poster session for the National American Chemical Society conference, April 2, in Orlando, Fla.

Vera presented her poster entitled “Determining the Viabiliy of Calpain Inhibitors as Potential Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease,” and Windsor presenter his poster “Investigation of Amyloid Beta Biflavanoid Inhibitors in Alzheimer’s Disease.” Windsor won an award for Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation in the COMP session, which came with an award certificate and $125 as a monetary compensation. Maria Nagan, former Truman chemistry faculty, presented the award.

Windsor and Vera both applied for and participated in an undergraduate workshop in the COMP Division of the ACS, March 31.

Bill Miller, assistant professor of chemistry and research adviser to Windsor and Vera, organized a symposium in honor of his post-doctorate advisor, Dr. Carol Parish, for winning the 2019 Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution at the ACS meeting.

Miller presided over one of the three sessions, honoring Parish and giving an oral presentation entitled “Modeling Excellence: Dr. Carol Parish’s Impact and Influence on Undergraduate Research,” where he emphasized Parish’s many accomplishments and impact as well as research being performed in the Miller lab currently.

The School of Business and the Community of College Entrepreneurs will host the first-ever Bulldog Pitch Day for high school students from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 25.

Six competing finalists from high schools across Missouri will pitch their ideas to four judges and an audience of their peers. Judges include business professors and local business owners. Thirty-five students are anticipated to attend this event and will additionally receive campus tours and an informational presentation about entrepreneurship for students.

The Community of College Entrepreneurs is a Truman organization founded in 2015 to foster innovation on campus. Students give each other feedback on business ideas, share skills and tips about starting a business and create an environment where new ideas can form and grow.

Any questions regarding the event can be directed to Aren Buresh at 319.210.8291.

Title IX Talk with Dr. Millot
7 p.m.
April 15
Student Union Building 1101
Learn more about sexual assault prevention and bystander protocol with Title IX officer Lauri Millot.

The Truman Way Pledge Drive
12-3 p.m.
April 16 and 18
Quad
Come out and give a pledge to stand against sexual assault and be a part of the “Truman Way”

Empowering Yoga with Anna Nicks
7 p.m.
April 17
Student Union Building 2105
Anna Nicks, Truman yoga instructor, will lead participants through empowering yoga. Feel the strength of the Truman community and take a stand against sexual assault.

Following this event, there will be a garage sale at the Tom Thumb Art Festival, April 27, featuring donations.

The opportunity is available for Truman emeritus faculty, current full-time faculty and current full-time staff with a family member graduating in spring 2019 to present their diploma at the May 11 commencement ceremony. Family member for purposes of the diploma presentation means spouse, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, step-son, step-daughter, step-grandson, step-granddaughter.

In order to participate, notify Nancy Asher or call 660.785.4143 no later than 5 p.m. April 19 and provide the following information
1.    Your name (presenter)
2.    Your employment title/position
3.    Name of the degree candidate
4.    Degree (BA, BFA, BM, BS, BSN, MA, Mac, MAE) and program name the candidate is to graduate from
5.    Your email address
6.    Your phone number

Family presenters are expected to be dressed in full academic regalia. If the presenter does not own these items, a robe and cap may be purchased through the University Bookstore.

Students are able to participate in a tree planting ceremony at 12 p.m. April 26 in celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Week events. Two trees will be planted in the Blanton-Naser-Brewer courtyard following a brief presentation. Sodexo also donated a tree that will be planted on campus. The City of Kirksville will host a tree planting ceremony at 4 p.m. April 26 at Rotary Park.

Upcoming events include a 75th birthday celebration for Smokey Bear, Aug. 3, on the Quad. This event is hosted by Truman’s tree campus committee and the local Department of Conservation.  

The Communication Disorders Department will host the annual Language and Literacy Conference from 8:45 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

Alumna Jennifer Walz Garrett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, will present on “Theater, Drama & Pragmatics and Expository Texts.” Garrett is an associate professor of communication sciences and disorders at the University of Northern Iowa. She received her doctoral degree at University of Cincinnati in 2007, prior to which she worked as a school speech-language pathologist. Garrett has interest in school-aged literacy and language disorders, genetics/syndromes and counseling skills.

The Office of Advancement is accepting applications for the fall 2019 annual fund internship.

The intern will gain experience working on the fundraising side of a non-profit organization within Truman, specifically the Truman Foundation. Responsibilities will be divided between three main focus areas: Tel-Alumni coordinator, Office of Advancement projects and office hours with a focus on development projects such as Tag Day and the Student Alumni Association.

Qualified applicants will be a business or communication major with a minimum of 2.75 GPA. The intern will work 15 hours a week for approximately 11 weeks and receive class credit commensurate with their time in the office. A supplementary stipend is also included.

For a complete job description, visit TruPositions or click here. Deadline for applications is April 26. Please contact Dylan Phillips for further questions.

Daily food packs are now available for students. The food packs are free to all students and can be picked up with a Truman ID at the SERVE Center located in the Student Union Building 1105. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Student Government is seeking speakers, hosts and committee members for the second annual TEDx Conference this fall.

Speaker applicants who are accepted will be filmed and featured on the TEDx website reaching thousands of people and giving speakers an international platform. Committee members will have the opportunity to help select speakers, create advertisements and program the conference.

Committee member applications are due April 20. Speaker and host applications are due April 27. Further questions can be directed to Shania Montúfar, committee chair. Applications can be found here.

TED is a non-profit organization that sponsors independent conferences all over the world. These conferences strive to spread new ideas through short, powerful talks that can cover a wide range of topics. TEDxTrumanStateUniversity, sponsored by Student Government, will consider students, faculty and staff and community members for the speaker and host positions. Current students are preferred for the TEDx planning committee. Students Government hopes to showcase presentations which encourage the audience to approach a topic from a unique or unconventional perspective.

The first ever film festival will take place April 27 in the Baldwin Little Theatre. Following the festival there will be a free reception at Take Root Cafe. Victoria Price, daughter of Vincent Price, as well as Chad Kennerk, Dereck Daschke, Tiana Williams, Tom Stockma and Allison Coffelt will serve as judges for the festival. The film festival seeks to connect, inspire and provide exposure to undergraduate filmmakers from the state of Missouri.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion will celebrate LGBTQ+ undergraduates and graduates of spring, summer or fall 2019 classes in the Lavender Graduation at 4 p.m. May 5 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. Family, friends, faculty and staff and allies are welcome to attend in support of graduates. Attendees are required to RSVP by April 26 at diversity.truman.edu/lavgrad. For more information contact Brad Turnball.

The Service Recognition Lunch will be at 12 p.m. May 14 in the Georgian Rooms. Honorees receive two complimentary tickets. Others may purchase tickets at $11 each in the Human Resources Office, McClain Hall 101.

5 Years of Service
Suzanne Barnes  — Advancement
Carol Bennett — Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Patricia Bonzani — Physical Plant
Steven Brookhart — Physical Plant
Chandrika Collins — Communication
Jocelyn Cullity — English and Linguistics
Lori Elschlager — Student Health Center
Yuna Ferguson — Psychology
Jeanne Harding – School of Health Sciences and Education
Jennifer Hayden — Physical Plant
Jackie Hester — Sodexo
Stacey Kaden — Accounting
Shelby Miller — Sodexo
Christopher Outzen — Communication
Steven Petersen — Academic Affairs
Curran Prendergast — Music
Jocelyn Prendergast — Music
David Price — Communication
Jason Ragas — Physical Plant
Tammy Ratliff — Regional Professional Development Center
Dana Rigby — Institute for Academic Outreach
Brandy Schneider — Health and Exercise Sciences
Jeremy Shaver — Physical Plant
Vanessa Williams — Mathematics
Danielle Yakle — Art
Jared Young — Institute for Academic Outreach

10 Years of Service
Douglas Ball — English and Linguistics
Curt Blakely — Justice Systems
Joyce Carnes — Admission
Alice Davis — Student Health Center
James W. Hammerstrand — Classical and Modern Languages
Kara Jo Levery — Career Center
Beverly McKim — Sodexo
Pamela Melvin — Nursing
William Nelsen — Residence Life
Gregg Nesbitt — Athletics
Aaron Rooks — Center for Academic Excellence
Michael Rudy — Political Science
Teresa Tucker — Student Health Center

15 Years of Service
Sheila Berkowitz — Education
Charles Boughton — Business Administration
Janice Clark — Health and Exercise Sciences
Alan Davis — Accounting
Roberta Donahue — Health and Exercise Sciences
Ernst Hintz — Classical and Modern Languages
Polly Matteson — Regional Professional Development Center
Shandra Morin — Financial Aid
Andrea Richards — Communication Disorders
Lenora Rogers — Physical Plant
Barbara Smith-Mandell — Truman State University Press
Jammie Tipton — Sodexo
Leland Vanhoose — Sodexo
Anton Weisstein — Biology

20 Years of Service
Tim Acton — Physical Plant
Dan Antal — Physical Plant
Jeff Arabas — Health and Exercise Sciences
Marc Becker — History
Bobbie Burnett — Sodexo
David Cameron — Physical Plant
Carol Carpenter — Sodexo
Brenda Embree — Health and Exercise Sciences
Gary Fagan — Printing Services
Laura Fielden-Rechav — Biology
Aaron Fine — Art
Lisa Glaubitz — Library
Marcy Graham — Center for Academic Excellence
Masahiro Hara — Classical and Modern Languages
Sally Herleth — Human Resources
James McCormick — Chemistry
Kris McKim — Grants Administration
Kevin Minch — Academic Affairs
Chad Mohler — Philosophy and Religion
Marc Rice — Music
Janet Romine — Library
Philip Ryan — Mathematics
Dana Smith — Theatre
Jackie Stewart — Sodexo
Carol Thatcher — Statistics
Karen Vittengl — Psychology
Jerry Wollmering — Athletics

25 Years of Service
Michael J. Adams — Mathematics
Michelle Boyd — Athletics
Carolyn Cox — Health and Exercise Sciences
Todd Palumbo — Mathematics
Mark Hatala — Psychology
Kris Hurley — Truman Bookstore
Lillian Jackson — Physical Plant
Gayla McHenry — Library
Steven Reschly — History
John Stewart — Sodexo
Patty Sutton — Sodexo
Matthew Tornatore — Classical & Modern Languages

30 Years of Service
Nabil Alghalith — Business Administration
Julianna Moore — Music
Steve Nelson — Public Safety
Vaughan Pultz — Chemistry

35 Years of Service
Monica Barron — English and Linguistics
Joseph Benevento — English and Linguistics
Cheryl Cragg — Business Office
Gregory C. Richter — English and Linguistics
Winston Vanderhoof — Publications
Teresa J. Wheeler — Publications

Retirees
Stephen Allen — Business Administration, 30 years of service
Alcidean Arias — International Education Abroad, 28 years of service
Melody Chambers – Admission, 34 years of service
Kathy Conner — Physical Plant, 22 years of service
James Guffey — Mathematics, 31 years of service
Susan Hamilton — Library, 27 years of service
Regina Morin — Enrollment Management, 24 years of service
James O’Donnell — School of Arts and Letters, 6 years of service
Sherri Palmer – Psychology, 26 years of service
Ronald Rybkowski — Theatre, 31 years of service
Mustafa Sawani — Economics, 34 years of service
Karl Schneider — Physical Plant, 20 years of service
David Schutter — Athletics, 26 years of service
Wynne Wilbur — Art, 17 years of service

The Upward Bound Project is searching for career mentors for high school students who are looking to gain work experience this summer. Students will be able to contribute 26 hours of volunteer work from June 10-July 2.

The Upward Bound Career Internship Program is designed to provide potential first-generation college students with mentoring, work experience and impact from a professional who encourages them toward a postsecondary education and careers. Students are available to assist with summer projects, perform basic clerical duties or provide office coverage. The Upward Bound administration tries to match students with faculty and staff working in their intended area of college study.

Career mentors must have a college degree and be able to provide supervision during work times since these students are minors. High school interns will be available to work Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and will be paid from Upward Bound funds.

April 19
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

April 20
Closed

April 21
Closed

April 22
3 p.m.-10 p.m.

April 23
Resume Regular Hours

In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. To have an officer dispatched for a non-emergency, call 660.665.5621.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available April 23.

Elijah Farrales won a $500 Prior Award from the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) for his essay “Wisdom of a Cup Stacker.”

Colin Kuntz and David Newell were recognized as winners of the Elijah Watts Sells Award by the American Institute of CPAs. To qualify for the award, CPA candidates must obtain a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, pass all four sections on their first attempt and have completed testing in 2018. Nearly 86,000 individuals sat for the CPA Exam in 2018, with 110 candidates meeting the criteria to receive the award.

Marc Rice, professor of music, recently published his book “Black Music in the Black Press: An Anthology of Essays from the Heartland,” through Naciketas Press. The book is an anthology of articles, advertisements and essays focusing on music that appeared in the African American Press from 1881-1935.

The Communication Disorders Department participated in the annual Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association, April 6. Students who participated in the competition include Kirsten Kovack, Sarah Ostermiller, Nikki Batinick, Sienne Pace, Colette Fortin and Emily Hathhorn who served as the alternate. Truman competed against eight other teams from Missouri institutions and had their first win since 2013.