Vol. 23 No. 30 - April 23, 2019

Alumni Doug (’94) and Diane (’95) Villhard presents checks to the winners of the Bulldog B.I.T.E. pitch competition. Pictured from the left: Danny Alter, Diane Villhard, Kailey Micek, Doug Villhard and William Fries.

Kailey Micek, a senior business administration marketing major, won the 2019 Bulldog B.I.T.E. elevator pitch competition.

As the winner, she earned a prize of $3,000 for her pitch of Buddy Button, a campus safety app.

William Fries, a senior computer science and business major, earned $2,000 for his pitch of the solid point mouse, technology to assist people with hand tremors use a computer more easily. Danny Alter, a senior accounting and finance major, finished third and won $1,000 for his pitch of a T-shirt company, GY6, with proceeds supporting veterans organizations.

An elevator pitch outlines the concept or idea for a product, service or project in a short period of time, typically from 30 seconds to three minutes. The length of the pitch mirrors the time spent waiting for and riding an elevator in a high-rise building. The purpose of the pitch is to spur the interest of a potential investor or financial backer.

The Center for Student Involvement hosted the annual Leadership Recognition Program Banquet, April 18.

The Leadership Recognition Program is designed to honor Truman students, advisors and organizations for their dedication to their peers, campus and Kirksville community through various leadership roles during the year. This year the CSI recognized those students, organizations and advisors who have exemplified quality leadership during the 2018-19 school year by highlighting the accomplishments through the theme, Colors of Leadership.

Individual Awards
Nicholas Thiele, Athletic Leadership Award
Audrey Tomlinson, Athletic Leadership Award
Emily Stobbe, Excellence in Diversity Student Award
Tessa Gisi, New Student Leader Award
Pujita Ravichandar, Outstanding President of the Year (small organization)
Keaton Leppanen, Outstanding President of the Year (large organization)
Heather Kopp, Outstanding Student Worker Award
Grant Wilhelm, Senior Leadership Award
Taylor Cichon, Senior Leadership Award
Ben Wingo, Senior Leadership Award
Katie Alexander, Student Excellence Award
Je’lynn Tiberi-Ramos, Student Excellence Award
Dan Borelli, TLC Pass it Along Award
Haley Bylina, TLC Pass it Along Award
Savanna Ott, Verona S. and Davis Nichols Award
Will James, Verona S. and Davis Nichols Award

Organization Awards
Council for Special Olympics, “Special Olympics,” Creative Campaign Award
International Club, Excellence in Diversity Organization Award
Student Activities Board, “Kenan Thompson,” Outstanding Entertainment Event Award
Student Government, “TedX,” Outstanding Educational Event Award
First Gen United, Outstanding New Organization Award
Bulldog Student Investment Fund, Outstanding Organization Award (small organization)
Delta Sigma Pi, Outstanding Organization Award (large organization)

Advisor Awards
Brad Turnball, E.M. Violette Outstanding Advisor Award
Ken Carter, E.M. Violette Outstanding Advisor Award

Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Shania Montufar, Rising Activist Award
Chantelle Wimms, Outstanding Advocate Award
Summer Pennell, Bertha Thomas Outstanding Faculty/Staff Advocate Award

Omicron Delta Kappa
Debra Cartwright, Faculty Hall of Fame
Brenda Higgins, Staff Hall of Fame
Ben Laser, Student Hall of Fame

Residence Life
Erin Woolf, Gaber Achievement Award
Gloria Farmer, Outstanding Residence Leader Award

Serve Center
Delta Sigma Pi, Outstanding Organization Award
Alpha Sigma Gamma, Outstanding Service Organization Award
Taylor Cichon, Outstanding Student Volunteer Award
Casey Cook, Service-Learning Award

Student Senate
Johnathon Rogers, Shining Star

Women’s Resource Center
Summer Pennell, Women of Distinction Award-Faculty
Carol Bennett, Women of Distinction Award-Staff
Shania Montufar, Women of Distinction Award-Student

School of Arts and Letters
Alexandra Hult, School of Arts and Letters Student Leadership Award

Greek Life Awards
Sigma Phi Epsilon, Academic Excellence Award
Sigma Kappa, Academic Excellence Award
Beta Theta Pi, Brotherhood of the Year Award
Sigma Sigma Sigma, Sisterhood of the Year Award
Tom Binbeutel, Emerging Greek Leader Award
Sydney Modaff, Emerging Greek Leader Award
Sigma Phi Epsilon, Outstanding Community Service Award
Delta Phi Epsilon, Outstanding Community Service Award
Nick Rincom, Greek Man of the Year Award
Emmy Robertson, Cady Award
Joel Brumfield, Outstanding Greek Chapter President Award
Mary Beth Howard, Outstanding Greek Chapter President Award
Sigma Phi Epsilon, Chapter of the Year Award
Sigma Sigma Sigma, Chapter of the Year Award

The Theatre Department will present the work of nine new directors from the play direction class at 8 p.m. May 1-3 in the 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.

May 1
“In The Tank”
By: Rosemary Frisino Toohey
Directed By: Jacque Bischoff
What’s it like to be peered at by hungry humans? Such is the predicament of two lobsters in a tank at a seafood restaurant.

“Brocreation”
By: Ashley Lauren Rogers
Directed By: Kameron McClinton
When Randy finds out his sperm is the catalyst for the future apocalypse and that his friends aren’t who they seem, he has some choices to make and not all of them are good.

“Heat Lightning”
By: Robert F. Carroll
Directed By: Angel Lee
A young woman stumbles into a bus station, late at night and in the pouring rain. She is terrified, and must rely on herself for survival.

May 2
“Sleep”
By: Adam Szymkowicz
Directed By: Molly Garrison
Darla has fallen into a mysterious coma and three of her friends are left alone to wonder what happened and if they are to blame.

“Regina Flector Wins The Science Fair”
By: Marco Ramirez
Directed By: Julia Swank
Middle schoolers Regina, Bradley, Tiffany and Sam compete (somewhat viciously) for first place at their school science fair.

“Captive Audience”
By: David Ives
Directed By: Nicole Dunseith
While watching TV, a couple tries to figure out what to do on a typical Friday night, but they can’t seem to pull their attention from the screen.

May 3
“Becky’s Christmas Wish”
By: Ashley Lauren Rogers
Directed By: Faith Locke
Becky is encountered by a Christmas Elf on the night before Christmas. She gets one wish, but they are surprised with what she wants.

“The Ballad of 423 & 424”
By: Nicholas C. Pappas
Directed By: Lilian Ayers
When a new neighbor moves in next door, Roderick - a recluse - finally gets a chance to make a friend... if he can talk to her!

“Family 2.0”
By: Walter Wykes
Directed By: Sammi Berkelman
A man who is tired of his current life, finds a nice house and starts a new life with a “perfect” family.

Phi Kappa Tau will conduct its annual Cookout for Kids, April 25, to benefit the SeriousFun camps for children with chronic or terminal illnesses.

This year’s cookout menu includes a pulled pork sandwich or veggie burger, along with chips, a cookie and a soda or bottled water for $5. All pre-ordered meals will be delivered between 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Members will be taking orders from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 23 at a table on the Quad. Orders also can be made through April 23 by contacting Nolan McMichael.

In an effort to prepare and sell as many meals as possible, Phi Kappa Tau members have worked with area businesses to secure donations and keep their costs low. Among those making in-kind contributions to the Cookout for Kids are Smithfield Foods and the Wooden Nickel. Several other businesses have made financial contributions, including: Galt Speak; Buck Brothers Sunny Slope Auto; Meyer, McClamroch and Williams LLC; Holiday Inn Express; Day’s Inn; North Kansas City Electric; Earl T. Burton, Agent, New York Life Ins. Co.; Woody’s Tire and Auto; Benson Law Firm; Vicki Benson and RE/MAX Home Team.

Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, a Phi Kappa Tau alumnus, founded the SeriousFun camps. They provide multiple one-week camping experiences for children who suffer from chronic and terminal illnesses that require around-the-clock care and frequent hospitalizations. The camps offer these experiences free of charge to children’s families, and it is only through contributions the camps are able to continue. One hundred percent of the profits from Cookout for Kids go to the camps.

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.

The Fulbright committee will host a writing workshop to help students prepare applications for the fall Fulbright process from 4-5:30 p.m. April 24 in McClain Hall 206. Students who plan to graduate in May 2020 are encouraged to attend. Those who cannot attend, but would still like to receive information can contact Meg Edwards.

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.  

Don’t miss out on the last opportunity to see Elijah Farrales stack cups from 5-7:30 p.m. April 26 in the REC lounge. To see the destruction of his creation arrive closer to 7:30 p.m.

The Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Search Committee will conduct open forums for the final candidates for the position.
 
Dr. Tyana Lange
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Lock Haven University
1:15 p.m.
April 26
Violette Hall 1000
 
Dr. Shane Davidson
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at the University of Evansville
1:15 p.m.
April 29
Violette Hall 1000

The Student Recreation Center invites students to join them in some outdoor fun from 1-2:30 p.m. April 27 on the Quad. There will be a Pilates class from 1-2 p.m. taught by Anna and Natalia, as well as yard games and new experiences such as slacklining. This event is free and open to the public.

The Delta of Missouri chapter of Phi Beta Kappa will induct 31 new members at 3 p.m. April 28 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. A reception sponsored by the Office of the President will follow the ceremony. Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Society. Truman’s chapter was chartered in 2001.
 
Students to be inducted are: Leah Dianne Anderson-Little, Chloe Grace Barrett, Claire Margaret Berendzen, Lillian Hope Brink, Matthew Joseph Carr, Annie Rhyane Colwell, Shayna Renee Corbin, Nicole Asami Dunseith, Katherine Elise Durant, Sarah K. Finley, Makar Golosheykin, Michael Thomas Jacezko, Micah Ann Krueger, Katie Marie Litschgi, Nguyen Hanh Luong, Allison Brooke Marbry, Tiffany Minh-Thu Middlemas, Claire Elise Miller, Rachael Ellen Miller, Abby Leigh Mueller, Megan Nicole Neveau, Nicole Taylor Orf, Angelina Maria Partenheimer, Nick Frank Puleo, Jonathan Cooper Satterfield, Deanna Kay Schmidt, Christina Slipke, Abby Paige Sokeland, Renata Nicole Thoeny, Joel Patrick Wilper and Kathrynn Zhang.

Daily food packs are now available for students. Supplied by the Pantry for Adair County, the food packs are free to all students. They 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. The mission of the Pantry of Adair County is to provide supplemental food for residents of the county with food insecurities.

The second annual student memorial gathering will be hosted at 4 p.m. May 2 on the Quad (rain location is the Student Union Building Down Under). The event will commemorate senior communication disorders major Abbie Fones, who passed away in October. This event is put on by the Office of Student Affairs in coordination with the Student Government, as well as by friends of Fones. Her family is expected to be in attendance.

The Art Department will display senior capstone exhibitions in the University Art Gallery, April 29-May 3, and will host a closing reception from 6-7:30 p.m. May 3 in Ophelia Parrish.

The works on display are a result of a semester-long project in each studio major’s chosen medium including ceramics, fibers, printmaking, painting and sculpture. The exhibit will celebrate the achievements of this semester’s graduating studio art seniors: Mona Abhari, Shu-Tzu Chen, Tyler Kluges, Madi Page and AJ Weston.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at the reception.

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 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.

Truman State University thanks the following Friends of the Lyceum for their generous financial support of the 2018-19 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series. All performances are fully supported by the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series Fund established through the Truman State University Foundation and the proceeds from general admission tickets. Donations by alumni, friends of the University and area businesses and corporations comprise this fund which ensures the continuation of the tradition of providing a variety of cultural experiences for the community.

Corporate Sponsors
Platinum
Kirksville Tourism

Gold
Kirksville Daily Express

Silver
Alliant Bank
Ameren Missouri
Northeast Regional Medical Center
Truman Bookstore – Follett Higher Education Group

Bronze
A.T. Still University
Holiday Inn Express
US Bank
Walmart

Friends of the Lyceum
Platinum
In memory of Travis Freeman

Silver
Mark Laughlin & Rich McKinney

Bronze
Rick & Mary Lee Fleschner
Marianna Giovannini
Rick & Janet Gooch
Sally Herleth & Eric Schmitz
Charles & Deanna Hunsaker
Gary & Claire Lloyd
Harold & Rebecca Osborn
Tammy Roberts
Karen Sylvara

Friends of the Lyceum
Von & Debbie Abbott
Ben Beard
Harriet Beard
Kent & Bonnie Campbell
Rolf & Ilse Christen
Myra Collins
Don Crosby
Bob & Jane Dager
Dana & Sarah Delaware
Carolyn Frick
Ron & Elsie Gaber
Jodie & Debbie Gordon
Eric & Betty Green
Elizabeth Gregory
Susan Howai
Jane Johnson
Greg Lloyd
Jack & Sue Magruder
Richard & Bess Mercer
Chad & Sarah Mohler
Marie Murphree
Gail & Mary Novinger
Justin & Kylene Puckett
Rick & Shirley Riley
Norma Robison
Werner & Gaylah Sublette
Scott & Heidi Templeton
Steve & Linda Treasure
Stacy Tucker-Potter
Winston Vanderhoof
Tony & Dana Vazzana
Gary & Marilyn Waite
Nate Walker
Ron & Cecelia Winkler
Phillip & Jane Wise

Special thanks to Edna Campbells for their generous help in selling tickets and Delta Zeta sorority for serving as ushers.
Anyone interested in being a Friend of the Lyceum during the 2019-20 Series can contact pr@truman.edu.

Barry Poyner, professor of communication, will have a book released in July, “Aim for Restoration,” from 21st Century Christian Publishing Co, Nashville, Tenn.

Softball player Christa Reisinger was named GLVC Player of the Week, her league-leading third of the season and seventh of her career. She also was named Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Player of the Week for the first time in her career. For the week of April 9-15, Truman went 6-0 to run its winning streak to nine games, and Reisinger was at the forefront of it all. In those six victories, the senior centerfielder hit .750 (12-for-16) with a 1.563 slugging percentage and on-base percentage of .818. Reisinger racked up 15 runs scored, two triples, three home runs, 10 RBI, 25 total bases, five walks, one hit-by-pitch, only one strikeout and eight stolen bases in eight attempts. As of April 18, among the GLVC’s statistical leaders, Reisinger is first in batting average (.576), first in slugging (.958), first in on-base percentage (.630), first in runs scored (56), first in hits (68), first in stolen bases (40), tied for first in home runs (9), and tied for second in triples (5). Taking it up to the national level, the Winfield, Mo., native is first in on-base percentage, first in runs per game (1.51), second in average, third in stolen bases per game (1.08), fourth in total bases (113), fifth in slugging, seventh in hits and 22nd in triples.