Vol. 11 No. 13 - Nov. 28, 2006

Lynn Rose, associate professor of history, was named the 2006 Missouri Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, at a press conference in honor of her achievement, held Nov. 16 in the Magruder Hall Cyber Café. This national recognition program, established in 1981, rewards outstanding professors for their outstanding commitment to teaching undergraduate students and their influence on teaching.

An educator at Truman since 1995, Rose was selected as the 2005 Truman Educator of the Year. In 2006, she received special recognition from Gov. Matt Blunt as one of 14 outstanding faculty members, each representing a public Missouri four-year college or university, to be recognized for her commitment to excellent education for Missouri citizens. Rose was chosen for her effective teaching, innovative course design and delivery, effective advising, service to the institutional community, commitment to high standards of excellence and success in nurturing student achievement.

Rose received both her doctorate and bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. Her teaching speciality is ancient history. Rose has published several essays in the field of disability studies, her primary area of research. Her book, “The Staff of Oedipus: Transforming Disability in Ancient Greece,” was published by the University of Michigan Press in November 2003.

Rose was selected for the award from nearly 300 nominations submitted by colleges and universities throughout the country and in Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year, there are state Professors of the Year in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, as well as four national winners.

Rose is the sixth Truman professor to win this statewide award since 1991.

Three Truman students were recently named to the Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.

Erin Lear, a senior justice systems major from Kearney, Mo.; Lindsay Ponce, a senior justice systems and Spanish double major from O’Fallon, Mo.; and Gabrielle Stocke, a senior justice systems major from St. Louis; were all named to the group for terms ending at the pleasure of the Gov. Matt Blunt.

The Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group is made up of 15 to 33 members from throughout the State of Missouri who are committed to further improving youth services with the goal of creating safe communities and productive young lives.

The Truman State University Chamber Choir, under the direction of Mark Jennings, invites both the Truman and Kirksville communities to the second annual Renaissance Madrigal Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2 in Student Union Building Lounge. Tickets for the event are $20 for adults and $15 for students and youth. Tickets may be purchased by downloading an order form off the event’s Web site at http://sub.truman.edu/madrigal, or by calling the Student Union Office at 785.4186.

Members of the Truman Chamber Choir, dressed as Renaissance royalty and peasants, will be the hosts for the evening of food, festivities, entertainment and music.

The event will last about two hours, with courses of the meal accompanied by dancers, a palm reader, a magician and other entertainment. The menu for the dinner includes roast beef or vegetarian pasta, green beans and almonds, mixed greens salad, French onion soup, Yorkshire pudding and a cider called “Wassail.”

Highlights of the evening include the masque, or short play, followed by a concert portion of music performed by the Chamber Choir.

Contact Mark Jennings, director of choral activities, at 785.4443 for more information.

Nicole Esposito, flutist, and Alan Huckleberry, pianist, will perform a recital at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. The title of the program is “Around the World in 80 Minutes,” and it features an eclectic blend of works from a variety of musical styles.

A recipient of numerous awards in national and international flute competitions, Esposito has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, as well as the University of Michigan’s All-State program at Interlochen.

Huckleberry, assistant professor of piano pedagogy and collaborative arts at the University of Iowa, maintains a busy concert schedule that has him traveling to cities throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The recital is free and open to the public. The Truman department of music’s Visiting Artist Series is sponsoring the concert.

Contact David McKamie, professor of music, at 785.4405 for more information.

The Truman State University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Tim AuBuchon, will present a performance of the Duke Ellington album, “The Far East Suite” at 8 p.m. Dec. 4 in Baldwin Auditorium.

The performance will feature nine songs off the 16-track album. The concert is free and open to the public.

Released in 1966, “The Far East Suite” illustrates the story of a concert tour Ellington and the members of his orchestra took through the Middle East in 1962. There, he and his orchestra encountered a military coup while traveling through Baghdad, as well as seeing the majestic statue of Our Lady of Lebanon, in the city of Harissa, Lebanon. Both of these experiences, along with countless others that Ellington and his cohorts lived through during their travels through the Middle East, inspired much of the music heard throughout the album.

Ellington, along with his friend and co-composer Billy Strayhorn, mixed the musical impressions that were gathered during the Middle East tour, and combined these with Ellington’s signature smooth sounds, to create an unique experience for his listeners.

The Truman Jazz Ensemble is the main jazz performance group at Truman. The 16-18 member ensemble performs numerous on and off campus performances throughout the year. The group has been featured with several jazz luminaries, including Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Bill Watrous, Randy Brecker and Clark Terry.

Contact Tim AuBuchon, director of the Truman Jazz Ensemble, at 785.4412 for more information.

Alumnus Randy Rogers (’79, ’87) recently made the second of two $5,000 gifts to endow the Randy R. Rogers Endowment Fund.

The purpose of the fund is to provide a resource for the Division of Business and Accountancy to ensure and enhance academic excellence of the teaching and learning process. Determination of fund usage will be at the discretion of the dean of business and accountancy. Fund usage may include faculty development and research, student learning experiences, technology, lectureships, capital and/or equipment purchases, as well as other areas of excellence initiatives.

For more information on establishing endowed funds at Truman, contact the Office of Advancement at 785.4133.

The Forensic Union of Truman State University saw a semester of hard work culminate with great success recently. Truman captured the sweepstakes competition in its division at the invitation-only Pat Kennedy Memorial Round Robin, hosted by the University of the Pacific, in Stockton, Calif., Nov. 10-12.

Mark Buchheit, a freshman history major from Carthage, Mo., and Dylan Rothermel, a junior economics major from Homewood, Ill., reached the semifinals of the Pat Kennedy Memorial Round Robin. The tournament featured 12 teams, representing some of the top forensics programs in the nation.

The Round Robin was followed by the Paul Winters Invitational, the largest invitational forensics tournament in the United States during the first semester of the academic year.

Two of Truman’s parliamentary debate teams reached the quarterfinals of the tournament. The team of Keith Schnakenberg, a senior political science and communication double major from Buffalo, Mo., and Sara Archer, a senior accounting major from Riverside, Mo., joined the team of Buchheit and Rothermel in the “elite eight” of the tournament. The team of Trevor Alexander, a senior economics and English double major from Kansas City, Mo., and Stefani Wittenauer, a senior communication and political science double major from Belleville, Ill., reached the tournament’s octafinal (“sweet sixteen”) round. The two team’s overall performances put Truman in fifth place among debate schools, and in first place among small schools. Truman’s overall performance at the tournament topped several large universities, including the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California-Los Angeles, the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Claremont Colleges and Colorado College.

Truman also competed in a tandem set of two individual events tournaments, co-hosted by Doane College in Crete, Neb., and the University of Nebraska-Omaha, on the campus of Doane College, Nov. 10-12.

The duo of Cara Hurst, a senior English major from Chesterfield, Mo., and Mike Ito, a freshman political science major from Kansas City, Mo., took sixth in duo interpretation. Hurst also captured the fifth-place award in dramatic interpretation.

The Truman Student Alumni Association (SAA) recently awarded two scholarships and a distinction upon a select group of students.

Tara Osseck, a junior health-science major from St. Charles, Mo., and Crystal Cunningham, a sophomore biology major from Emporia, Kan., were selected from more than 20 applicants as recipients of a $200 SAA scholarship. The scholarship was established by the SAA to honor outstanding
students who recognize the importance of staying active in the Truman community as alumni.

The SAA also recognized the positive contributions of a select group of undergraduate students, to various facets of the University, with the Spirit of Truman Award. The award, which is given to students who contribute to the areas of community service, student organizations, the arts, residential living, Greek life, and athletic endeavors, was recently bestowed upon the following students: Sarah Foltz, a freshman from Deepwater, Mo.; Erica Hirtzel, a freshman Spanish major from Grandview, Mo.; Ha Nguyen, a sophomore business administration major from Hanoi, Vietnam; Patricia Pepple, a sophomore sociology/anthropology major from Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and Bonnie Treichel, a senior business administration and political science double major from Turney, Mo.

Truman is pleased to announce the annual internship for two Truman State University students at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library, located in Independence, Mo. The internships have been made possible by a generous endowment from the family of Fred and Ethel Schwengel.

The internships are for summer 2007, and are open to all Truman juniors and seniors who meet University requirements for an internship. Students can earn between five and 10 hours of credit for this full-time internship. This is an eight-week unpaid internship. After being selected by a University committee and the Truman Library staff, the intern may work in a variety of areas at the Museum and Library including archives, public relations, marketing, educational programming, museum development or visitor services. Assignments will be based on the interns’ abilities and interests along with the library’s needs. The internships offer a five-hour (in-state) tuition scholarship.

Guidelines for the internships require that selected interns must “immerse themselves in the study of President Truman.” At the conclusion of the internship, the intern will write a paper on his or her experiences at the Museum and Library and on a specific study of the Truman presidency. The internship schedule will allow time for each intern to research the project.

Potential interns must have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, strong organizational skills, the ability to work independently on multiple tasks, basic computer skills, dependability and self-motivation.

Applications must be received by Jan. 31. For more information and applications, contact Jeff Gall, associate professor of history and social science education, at 785.7747 or jgall@truman.edu.

The Phi-Psi Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity donated 220,400 pounds of canned food to the Christian Community Food Depot in November. The donation was fulfilled through events and fund-raisers held in conjunction with its national philanthropy, the North American Can Food Drive, during the months of September and October. The total amount of canned food that was raised more than doubled the amount raised by the fraternity in 2005.

The fraternity collected money and cans through various events and efforts. The largest of these events was Lambda Chi Alpha’s annual Watermelon Fest, held the week of Sept. 25-30. The fraternity also held a can food drive at Ray Miller Elementary School throughout October. The class that collected and donated the most canned goods was given a pizza party in recognition of the students’ hard work.

The success of Lambda Chi Alpha’s annual food drive to benefit the Christian Community Food Depot came from the collective efforts of the men of Lambda Chi Alpha, the students, faculty and staff of Truman State University and the residents of Kirksville.

Lambda Chi Alpha also raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) during the month of November.

Former chapter president Dan Hartmann, a senior business administration major from St. Louis, participated in the MDA’s annual lock-up fund-raiser, Nov. 1 at Il Spazio in downtown Kirksville. Hartmann raised $520 during an hour of “jail time,” with all donations going to the MDA to allow children who have muscular dystrophy the opportunity to attend summer camps that can provide adequate service for their needs.

Lambda Chi Alpha has donated $3,250 to local charities and organizations during the fall 2006 semester.

The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest welcomes full-time junior and senior students to compete for $10,000 in prizes. Any student interested in competing in the contest is required to have a professor review his or her essay and sign the Contest Entry Form. The form and further information can be found on the contest’s Web site at http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org.

The Boston Realty Advisors Scholarship is designed for students concentrating in real estate, or planning to become involved in the real estate sector. This can include owning property for investment purposes. Visit the Boston Realty Advisors Scholarship Web site at http://www.bradvisors.com/scholarship for more information about how to apply. Deadline for application is Dec. 31.

The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA) is now accepting applications for a scholarship in the amount of $1,000-$5,000. Undergraduate students who are pursuing their first degree in nursing may obtain information or download an application by visiting the NSNA Web site at http://www.nsna.org, and click on Foundation. Applications must be received by Jan. 12, and winners will be notified in March 2007.

“Music and Political Protest”

Marc Rice, associate professor of music, will discuss the music of the United States, South Africa and Brazil, which will reveal the effectiveness of music to unify and motivate people and to convey a message of authority.

7 p.m. • Nov. 30
Magruder Hall 1000

“Shoes for Orphan Souls” Night

7:30 p.m. • Dec. 2
Pershing Arena

The Truman men’s basketball team will be accepting donations of new shoes at its game against Vennard College (Iowa).

The team is asking each fan in attendance that night to donate one pair of shoes to help out needy children in the area.

Contact Jack Schrader, men’s basketball head coach, at schrader@truman.edu or at 785.4171 for more information.

Ribbons and health packets will be handed out all week
10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
SUB and McClain Hall

Stonewall presents a professor forum “How Do We Really Win the Fight Against AIDS?”
7 p.m.
Nov. 28
Magruder Hall 2001

PRISM presents “Rent”
8:30 p.m.
Nov. 29
SUB Activities Room

ResLife, RCP, the MAC, and Student Senate present Griseel Granados, an HIV positive college student
8 p.m.
Nov. 30
Violette Hall 1000

“Act Up! Speak Out!
- celebration of life through a montage of performance arts and monologues. To be followed by a candlelight vigil.
7 p.m.
Dec. 1
Baldwin Auditorium

A coalition of Truman groups are coming together and building solidarity to help win the fight against AIDS for “World AIDS Day 2006.”

4:30 p.m. • Nov. 29
Magruder Hall 2001

Alumnus Tim Flanagan, of the department of physics and astronomy, University of Iowa, will give a presentation titled “Dust Release From Surfaces Exposed to Plasma.”

Janice Saffir
noon-1:30 p.m. • Dec. 1
Ophelia Parrish main lobby

The Truman community is invited to attend a retirement reception for Janice Saffir, professor of music. Saffir will retire at the end of the fall 2006 semester after 30 years of service to Truman.

Ronald Knight
2:30-4 p.m. • Dec. 5
Violette Hall upstairs commons

The Truman community is invited to attend a retirement reception for Ronald Knight, professor of mathematics. Knight, who has been an educator at Truman since 1965, will retire at the end of the fall 2006 semester.

Kay Clapp
2-4 p.m. • Dec. 7
Violette Hall upstairs commons

The Truman community is invited to attend a retirement reception for Kay Clapp, professor of education. Clapp will retire at the end of the fall 2006 semester after 28 years of service to Truman.

7 p.m.
Nov. 28
West Campus Suites

Kathy Dickerson of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma will tell authentic tales from her tribe passed down to her by her grandfather.

On loan from the Missouri State Archives, these maps portray the Missouri River exactly as the Corps of Discovery experienced it. The Geographic Resources Center at the University of Missouri created this unique map exhibit by combining nineteenth century land survey records with modern mapping technology. Other materials from Pickler Memorial Library and the Violette Museum are on display. The exhibit is available during the library’s scheduled hours until the end of December.

Truman will host a conference in honor of Women’s History Month, March 22-24, 2007.

Members of the Truman and Kirksville communities are invited to submit abstracts. Abstracts need to include a return address, phone number and e-mail address. The deadline to submit is Jan. 29, 2007.

Contact Linda Seidel at lseidel@truman.edu for more information, or to submit an abstract.

9:30-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 13

Due to a meeting of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the annual Holiday Open House, normally scheduled for the afternoon of Reading Day, will be rescheduled this year as a “Holiday Brunch.”

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Dec. 13
Student Union Building Alumni Room

December graduates are invited to attend the annual Graduation Pizza Party in their honor. Free pizza, soda and dessert will be available, and all graduates will receive a free gift.

Those who cannot make the event should stop by the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 100, to pick up their free Truman alumni T-shirt.

Contact Denise Smith, director of alumni relations, at 785.4174 or dlsmith@truman.edu for more information.

Davin Rubicz, cello
Emily Ho, violin

7 p.m.
Dec. 4
Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall

Millions of people make New Year’s resolutions to change their health and fitness habits; unfortunately few will actually follow through.

People want to make changes in their health behaviors and just have a difficult time sticking with their good intentions. Are you one of these people?

Do you catch yourself saying: “I want to start exercising and changing my diet, BUT…”

Time to sign up for the spring 2007 TruFit Wellness program designed for faculty and staff members looking to make changes to their health.

TruFit Wellness is a 12-week education and exercise program focused on teaching group members the skills needed to empower lifetime health behavior changes.

Spring session will incorporate behavior education sessions to assist members in learning:
• Creating motivation for change
• Planning strategies for change
• Combating negative thoughts
• Goal setting for success
• Overcoming obstacles
• Nutrition tips and education

NEW for the spring semester is the addition of a weekly organized group exercise session lead by Karen Skoch, director fitness/wellness at the Student Recreation Center.
In addition, group members will receive:
• Orientation to the Student Recreation Center
• Including orientation to all Cardiovascular machines
• Including orientation to all Weight Room equipment
• Instruction on and use of a Heart Rate Monitor
• Body composition testing
• Incentives for completing the program

TruFit members will meet from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Meetings will begin Jan. 9 and continue through April 11.

Any Truman faculty or staff member who is at least 10 pounds overweight and not currently engaging in regular physical activity is encouraged to join. If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like to sign up, contact Jennifer Hurst at 665.4464 or jhurst@truman.edu.

Jazz Combos II Concert
7 p.m.
Nov. 29
OP Performance Hall

Contact Tim AuBuchon at 785.4412 for more information.

Brass Choir Concert
8 p.m.
Nov. 30
OP Performance Hall

Contact Jay Bulen at 785.4441 for more information.

The Jo Ann Daugherty Jazz Trio, featuring Tim AuBuchon
7 p.m.
Dec. 3
OP Performance Hall

Admission is free, with intimate seating onstage. The trio is performing at Truman as part of the eFellowship project of Marc Rice, sponsored by The Center for Teaching and Learning.

Marijke Breuning, associate professor of political science, was notified that her article titled, “Women’s Participation in Annual Meetings: Comparative Perspective from ISA,” has been accepted for publication by PS: Political Science and Politics.

Kent Buxton, a sophomore biology major from Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Nathan Keller, a junior English major from Washington, Mo.; Laura Kopff, a senior chemistry and philosophy and religions double major from Affton, Mo.; and Kyle Hill, a senior communication major from Kansas City, Mo.; were the winners of the 2006 Campus College Bowl Tournament Nov. 2.

Tim Cason, physical plant employee, recently had his second compact disc released, a Christmas album titled, “Who Is This Child.” The CD is a mixture of vocal and instrumental songs, including two original pieces, and a variety of Christmas songs. Cason currently sings in the Southern Gospel quartet “Renewed!”, formerly known as “Wildwood Quartet.”

Dereck Daschke, associate professor of philosophy and religion, had his chapter “Millennial Destiny: A History of Millennialism in America” published in “An Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America,” edited by Mike Ashcraft, associate professor of religion, and Eugene Gallagher, in October. Daschke also had his book review of Michael Barkun’s “A Culture of Conspiracy” published in the journal Terrorism and Religious Violence (18:4).

Warren Gooch, professor of music, has had two compositions accepted for performance at the 2007 Society of Composers Region V Conference, Feb. 22-24, on the campus of Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. Gooch’s composition “Let the Nations Tremble!” will be performed by the Julien Chamber Choir under the direction of Kristen Eby. Gooch’s other composition “John I: The Word” will be performed by the Loras College Choir under the direction of Bruce Kotowich.

Jasmine Logan, a senior music/pre-MAE major from Bartlett, Ill., was mentioned on Page 23 of the August/September issue of Big City Blues, a blues magazine. She is a member of West Side Heat, a jazz band led by jazz legend Steve Arvey.

Betty McLane-Iles, professor of French, had her poem “Above Tucson” published in the Oct. 1 issue of Spare Mule, the Missouri State Poetry Society newsletter.

Jessica Rasmussen (’06) and Joseph Barker, a sophomore communication major from Pacific, Mo., won honorable mention awards for feature and sports story writing, respectively, at the 2006 Associated College Press/College Media Association National College Media Convention, held Oct. 25-29 in St. Louis. The Index was also honored with an honorable mention distinction for one of its fall 2006 issues.

Brenda Wheeler, assistant professor of nursing, gave a presentation titled, “Interdisciplinary Clinical Education: Implementing a Gerontological Home Visiting Program” at the 11th annual Nursing and Health Professions Educator Conference, Oct. 18, at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind. The conference was titled “Educating Health Care Professionals: Designing Innovative Learning Environments.”

The Academic Competition Organization (ACO) hosted its second annual fall high school academic team tournament, Nov. 11. Ten teams from throughout Missouri participated in the event. A team from Rockbridge High School in Columbia, Mo., won the tournament, while second-place accolades went to a team from Helias High School in Jefferson City, Mo. The Academic Competition Organization plans to host another high school tournament during the spring 2007 semester.

The men of Sigma Tau Gamma social fraternity donated $1,139 to the Northeast Missouri Association for Citizens with Disabilities, from funds raised by walking along U.S. Highway 63, Oct. 28. The men, who walked along the highway wearing only boxer shorts, donated the money to help disabled citizens in Kirksville and the surrounding area pay for medication, living assistance and other challenges that disabled citizens may encounter.

Modified Supplemental Retirement Plan Information for faculty and staff is available online at http://hr.truman.edu/benefits/msrp/.

Immediate opening: Upward Bound (Kirk Building 220) has employment positions open for a student services coordinator II and for a tutor/adviser. Both positions entail mentoring and tutoring area high school students as they prepare for postsecondary education. More information is available on the Web at http://ub.truman.edu or by calling 785.4244.

The Monitor, the University’s alternative newspaper, will be distributed on campus Nov. 29. Copies will be available in residence halls and at high traffic areas across campus.

The Center for Teaching and Learning’s Weekly Lunch Series will continue for faculty and teaching staff from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Candy Young, professor of political science, and Royce Kallerud, associate professor of English, will give a presentation titled “Plan B: My Best Tip for Surviving the End-of-Semester Nightmare.”

The Student Activities Board presents “The Jay Spot: A Sex Educator Tells All” at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 in Baldwin Auditorium. Taboo issues dealing with sex, AIDS and safety, dating and relationships, the pursuit of pleasure, sex and alcohol and the future of sex, will be discussed. Admission is free with a Truman ID and $2 for general admission. Contact Erica Foster at sab@truman.edu for more information.

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is now accepting applications for the 2007 Homecoming Committee (volunteer), and for the SERVE Center (scholarship and work-study positions only), for the spring 2007 semester. Homecoming Committee applications are due to the CSI, lower level of the SUB, by 4 p.m. Nov. 29. Interviews will take place Dec. 1, 4 and 5. SERVE Center applications are due to the CSI by 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Interviews will take place Dec. 6 and 7. Contact Amy Currier, program adviser for the CSI, at acurrier@truman.edu for more information.

There will be an informational meeting for students who are interested in the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in West Campus Suites 100. Students are able to study in a foreign country. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 19 for planned international study between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009. For more information or to pick up an application, contact Marilyn Romine at 785.4268, Mark Hanley at 785.4098, or Matt Eichor at 785.4667. Information is also available at the Rotary International Web site at http://www.rotary.org.

The University Observatory open house scheduled for Nov. 30 has been canceled.

The Truman Biology Seminar Series will present “Ecological Genomics of Soil Nematode Community Responses: Model and Non-Model Approaches” from 12:30-1:20 p.m. Dec. 1 in Magruder Hall 2001. Michael Herman, associate professor of biology at Kansas State University, will give the presentation. Tim Walston will be the host. Refreshments will be served at 12:15 p.m.

The Missouri Court of Appeals will be on campus from 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. The Court is visiting Truman as part of its outreach program. The Court will hear arguments in five cases, with all hearings open to the public. Contact Martin Jayne at mjayne@truman.edu or at 785.4667 for more information.

The Board of Governors will meet at 9 a.m. Dec. 2 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.

Truman’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) will offer practice tests of the MCAT, LSAT, GMAT and GRE at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 in Magruder Hall. The cost to take the practice tests is $5 for non-AMSA members and free for Truman AMSA members. Deadline to register is Nov. 30, and students may register by logging on to http://www.kaptest.com/testdrive or by calling 1.800.KAPTEST.

True Men will have its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Baldwin Auditorium. Contact Graeme Allen at gha024@truman.edu for more information.

Sigma Alpha Iota, an international women’s music fraternity, is hosting its International Musicale from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. All performers, musicians and dancers who wish to perform should contact Alethia Stack at singingismylove@yahoo.com or at 665.7114.

There will be an Assessment Colloquium from noon-1 p.m. Dec. 5 in Ryle Hall’s private dining room. Jason Miller, associate professor of mathematics; Jennifer Thompson, STEP program coordinator; and Sue Pieper, assessment specialist; will be discussing a method of assessing journaling that economizes faculty labor while still capturing the insights that are the reason for assigning journaling. This assessment has been undertaken in conjunction with the NSF STEP grant that funds undergraduate research. Lunch from the Ryle Hall cafeteria is $5.

Psychology capstone presentations will be given from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. Senior psychology students will be giving poster presentations of their original research. The event is open to the University community. Contact Karen Smith at ksmith@truman.edu or at 785.6033 for more information.

There will be a meeting about the Clayton internship option at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 in Violette Hall 2351 (Division of Education's Conference Room). Any interested people are welcome to attend this meeting. There are several components to this internship including funds for professional development. Contact Sam Miner at 785.6074 or e-mail wsm@truman.edu for more information.

There will be a Folklore Colloquium from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 6 in Baldwin Hall 272B. Jennifer Creer, a long-time student of Mormon culture, will be speaking at the colloquium. She has an M.A. from Truman and experience as an English teacher and assistant director of research at A.T. Still University. She is co-editor of Inkstains, an online journal which she considers the 21st century equivalent of an 18th century coffee house.

The Student Activities Board is sponsoring the annual Holiday Lights from 8-9:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Kirk Memorial. There will be performances by Unique Ensemble, Sweet Nothings and True Men. There will also be free hot chocolate, cappuccino and cookies for those who attend.

The final installment of the Viewpoints Series will be “Viewpoints: Global Warming” at 8 p.m. Dec. 7 in the West Campus Suites Multipurpose Room. Students and professors will debate the most controversial issues of our time. The event is sponsored by ResLife. Contact Sam Hodge at srh436@truman.edu for more information.

Franklin Street Singers will have its fall concert from 8-9:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Baldwin Auditorium. The performance is sponsored by the Division of Fine Arts. There is no cost to attend.

The Kirksville Annual Holiday Bird Count will begin at 6:30 a.m. Dec. 9 in Magruder Hall 2018. Participants, who do not need to be experienced bird watchers, will count all the birds encountered within 7.5 miles of downtown Kirksville. Results of this and comparable counts in other locations are used to assess changes in avian abundance and distribution. Doughnuts, fruit, hot chocolate and coffee will be served. For more information, contact Pete Goldman at 785.4632 or pgoldman@truman.edu.