Vol. 24 No. 6 - September 23, 2019

The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium recently completed hardware and software upgrades that significantly expanded the capabilities of the facility.

Previously the planetarium could only simulate travel to a portion of the Milky Way galaxy. The new software provides the ability to travel the entire observable universe. It also utilizes satellite imagery of the planets in the solar system, allowing terrain views and travel along the planets’ surfaces.

Beyond new travel capabilities, during star tours and public shows, the new software allows for content creation in the form of liner video editing and scripting. Staff will be trained on how to build custom content for the planetarium, which will keep the planetarium up to date with current events while avoiding the costs associated with purchasing new content.

The planetarium now has several STEAM plugins in the fields of art, chemistry, physics, earth science and biology, meaning it can be utilized by classes and departments across campus to enrich the learning experience at Truman.

In terms of hardware, the upgrade increased the number of projectors from one to two. Previous attendees will remember a center-mounted projector. That projector along with an additional projector have been moved to the cove at the front and back of the planetarium, essentially doubling the screen resolution.

The vendor for the upgrade was Evans and Sutherland, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The upgrade took the planetarium from a Digistar 4 system, software released more than a decade ago, to a Digistar 6 system. Work on the project began in the fall 2018 semester under the direction of the planetarium upgrade committee, which includes Jared Young, Kevin Minch, Amy Nunan, Julie Hanes, Jim McNabb, Diane Richmond and Donna Liss.

The planetarium hosts regularly scheduled programing every Saturday, with shows taking place at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased online or at the door. Weekly Mythology Monday shows are free. For more information about the planetarium, including a schedule of all events, is available at planetarium.truman.edu.

“The Rocket Man Show” will kick off the Kohlenberg Lyceum series at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.

Rus Anderson is Elton John’s official body double for his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” world tour videos and photos. Picked by Elton himself, Anderson performs as young Elton John, singing his greatest hits with spot on vocals and fierce piano playing.

Anderson recreates an early concert with gorgeous, colorful and flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton, including boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973 as well as his sparkly tuxedo from 1984. With all the classic young Elton antics, audiences are in for a night of nostalgia, singing, laughing and participation.

General admission tickets are $10 each, including tax. Tickets are available now at the Truman State University cashier window in McClain Hall or online at lyceum.truman.edu.

In honor of National Truman Spirit Day, Oct. 4, the Alumni Office will sponsor a photo contest with a grand prize that includes a VIP Homecoming package.

To enter the contest, participants just have to post a photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram displaying their Truman spirit and using the hashtags #TrumanSpiritDay and #photocontest between Sept. 20 and Sept. 27. Photos can include pets, babies, family members and friends, as long as they showcase Truman spirit.

From the eligible photos, five will be selected as finalists and reposted on Truman social media platforms. The finalist with the most likes will win the grand prize which includes: one hotel room for Oct. 18-19; four tickets to the Bulldog Forever tailgate; four tickets to the football game; and four Truman Homecoming T-shirts. The winner will be selected at 12 p.m. Oct. 4.

Entries from previous years can be seen on the Spirit Day website. All photos hashtagged for submission may be reposted to the Truman website and social media accounts. Both hashtags must be used to be considered for the contest. For more information, contact Luke Callaghan, alumni relations coordinator.

During Career and Grad School Week, the Career Center coordinates a wide range of activities devoted to helping students prepare for graduate school, internship and job searches. Activities vary from semester to semester, but usually include employer information sessions and programming, resume critiques, mock interviews, an etiquette dinner and much more.

Expo Bootcamp
6-8 p.m.
Sept. 23
Student Union Building 3201-3204
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.

Personal Statement Writing Workshop
5-6 p.m.
Sept. 23
Student Union Building 3000

Etiquette Dinner
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24
Student Union Building Georgian Room A
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal while learning the do’s and don’ts of a formal/professional dining experience. Register by completing the etiquette dinner form. Meals are $20 a person.

Graduate and Professional School Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 25
Student Union Building Activities Room
Speak with recruiters from grad schools and learn about opportunities in your field.

Law School Application Prep
6-7 p.m.
Sept. 25
Student Union Building 3204

Career and Internship Expo
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 26
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.-2p.m.
Sept. 26
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. 27
Student Union Building

For more information about these events, visit career.truman.edu.

Interprofessional Approach on Learning Vascular Access with Ultrasonography to Medical Students and Nurses
Student: Casey Cook
Mentor: Alison Winston

Applications of Large Format Photography and Printing
Student: Daniel Degenhardt
Mentor: Priya Kambli

Analysis of Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) Influence on Annual Numbers of the Lone-Star Tick (ambloyomma americanum) in Kirksville
Student: Lauren Harrison
Mentor: Stephanie Fore

Aromatase Inhibition as a Treatment for Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer and Endometriosis
Student: Abby Held
Mentor: Bill Miller

DBF as a Molecular Chaperone for Gamma Crystallin Aggregates
Student: Addison Leabo
Mentor: Cassidy Dobson

Gamma Crystallin Aggregation Analysis by Size Exclusion Chromatography
Student: Alexandra Marko
Mentor: Cassidy Dobson

Enhancing Educational Resources and Improving Community Awareness of Trees on Truman’s Campus
Student: Melina Matheney
Mentor: Elisabeth Hooper

Effects of Change in Healthcare Policy on Hospice Care
Student: Samuel Pey
Mentor: Victoria May

A Role for the Numb Protein at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
Students: Jason Baltz, Andrew Galbraith, Morgan Payne, Nicholas Pritchett and Katie Renkemeyer
Mentor: Brett Berke

The Effect of Streptozotocin on Insulin Signaling in the Brains of Rats
Student: Avery Schroeder
Mentor: Daniela Ostrowski

Changes in Brain Cell Connections in a Rat model for Alzheimer’s Disease
Student: Mason Wilcox
Mentor: Daniela Ostrowski

The Effects of Stilbenoids on the Aggregation of Amyloid Beta Proteins Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
Student: Clara Wolf
Mentor: Bill Miller

Michael Benitez Jr. will present “Migrations and Dreamers: A Call for Critical Understandings and Openness in the U.S.” at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Benitez is a nationally-acclaimed activist and is known for his works that highlight the complexity of the Latinx identity, addresses diversity issues in higher education and speaks on how to better coordinate and implement a more inclusive environment. Benitez hopes to broaden Truman students’ perspective on complex yet relevant conversations and issues everyone encounters.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Sustainability Office will host a campus-wide Sustainability Week Sept. 30-Oct. 5. The events of the week include:

Plastic Waste Documentary
7 p.m.
Sept. 30
Quad
There will be a showing of “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” to help educate the Truman community on how much plastic waste society goes through, what happens to it and what can be done to change. Free reusable straws will be handed out and popcorn will be served in reusable bowls.

Guest Speaker on Food Waste
6 p.m.
Oct. 1
Violette Hall 1000
The President’s Sustainable Action Committee, the Agricultural Science Department and the Environmental Campus Organization are sponsoring guest speaker, Jonathan Bloom, to present over food waste.

Lunch and Learn
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Oct. 2
Quad
Students and staff are welcome to lunch with food harvested from the University Farm and Green Thumb Garden, compost and compost bins. The lunch will be donation-based. All proceeds will go to the Green Thumb Project.

Zero-Waste Workshop
7 p.m.
Oct. 3
Student Union Building Georgian Room C
Guests will make their own zero-waste toothpaste or deodorant in a glass jar and sit in on a quick presentation of programs in Kirksville and Truman for reducing their waste.

Local Foods Dinner
6 p.m.
Oct. 4
Jackson Stables
The annual benefit dinner for the Green Thumb Project includes a four-course, locally sourced dinner with live music and fine wine. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the Sustainability Office in Violette Hall 1310.

Photo Contest
Sept. 30-Oct. 4
Each day of the week, the Sustainability Office will choose a few environmental sites at Truman. Students can take a selfie at each place on any given day to enter in a drawing for prizes to be handed out Oct. 5. For more information, visit the Sustainability Office’s Facebook page or Instagram.

Sustainability Festival
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Oct. 5
Quad
The first ever “Sus Fest” will celebrate all the environmentally friendly things learned throughout the week. There will be live music, yard games, activities, free reusable items and food. To conclude the event, there will be a multi-organization clean-up for Bear Creek. Anyone is welcome to help and can meet at 3 p.m. on the quad.

Faculty, staff and students with Truman parking stickers who have updated their vehicle with Missouri’s bicentennial license plates should notify Parking Services with their new information. Updates can be made by emailing Joyce Cook.

Football player Jordan Siegel was named GLVC Special Teams Player of the Week, giving Truman football back-to-back special teams weekly honors. Siegel’s 28-yard touchdown return gave Truman two touchdowns in 11 seconds in a 35-12 win over Wayne State, Sept. 14. It was Siegel’s third career touchdown to add to his two previous “pick sixes.” Siegel is the active career defensive leader for the Bulldogs with 142 tackles in 35 games played.