Vol. 24 No. 8 - October 7, 2019

Features

Apply Early for 2020-21 FAFSA

Students should file the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) located at fafsa.gov as soon as possible to determine aid eligibility.

Although some students may not qualify for grants or work study, all are considered for the federal direct loan (no co-signer required). Filing the FAFSA does not commit a student to taking a loan, but it does allow more payment options.

The 2020-21 FAFSA requires students to report income and tax information from 2018. It is recommended that students should apply before Feb. 1, 2020. For questions, contact the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103 or call 660.785.4130.
Econ Speaker Examines School Choice and Gender Pay Gap

The Economics Department Speaker Series kicks off with guest speaker Dr. Angela Dills, who will present on school choice and the gender pay gap.

Dills is the Gimelstob-Landry Distinguished Professor of Regional Economic Development at Western Carolina University. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia along with a M.A. and Ph.D. from Boston University. Specializing in the economics of education, crime and health, her research focuses on policy issues such as school choice accountability, peer effects, college quality and alcohol and drug prohibition. Her work has appeared in publications such as the Journal of Health Economics, American Economic Review, Economic Inquiry, the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization and the Economics of Education Review.

Dills will present on educational and school choice in a class at 4:30 p.m., Oct. 28 in McClain 208. Her talk will describe the types of school choice in the U.S. and provide domestic and international evidence on the effectiveness of school choice.

Later in the evening, Dills will speak on wage differentials and the gender pay gap at 7 p.m. in Baldwin Little Theater. She will describe a variety of potential explanations with empirical evidence on why women earn 80 cents for every dollar a typical man earns. In closing, she will provide a detailed understanding of what is behind the pay gap.

These events are hosted by the Economics Department and are free to the public.
Sigma Kappa Celebrates 60 Years

Truman’s chapter of Sigma Kappa celebrated their 60th anniversary on campus with a weekend-long celebration, Sept. 27-29.

The celebration began with a welcome event for all alumnae who returned to campus and current members of the chapter. Members and alumnae also participated in a farmer’s market meet-up in downtown Kirksville and luncheon in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms as well as Sunday brunch at Rosie’s Cafe.

During the luncheon, current and past members shared memories, discussed differences between chapter experiences and sang songs and chants. The event committee and past presidents were honored at the luncheon. Around 50 alumnae were able to attend and reconnect with current and past members.

Sigma Kappa was established on Truman’s campus after merging with Phi Kappa Sigma, Sept. 26, 1959. The chapter is dedicated to living out Sigma Kappa’s values of personal growth, friendship, service and loyalty as well as supporting the community through service and strengthening sisterhood bonds.
Sigma Sigma Sigma Participates in Weeklong Philanthropy Event

Dasia Caraballo (left) and Jordan Corcimiglia participate in Tri Sigma’s Rock for Robbie philanthropy event during the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 6. The members of Tri Sigma paired with other Greek organizations and rocked in rocking chairs for 24 hours a day all week. The event raised money and awareness for the Robbie Page Memorial Fund, which provides play therapy for terminally ill children. Currently, Tri Sigma is the only Greek organization supporting this kind of pediatric treatment and are recognized as leaders in supporting such programs. This year Rock for Robbie raised $400.

Announcements

Entrepreneur to Teach Students the Finer Points About Side Hustles

Alumnus and entrepreneur Doug Villhard will return to campus and give all interested students advice on starting and running a business.

“The Art of the Side Hustle” will take place from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 16 in Magruder Hall 2001. Villhard will teach students how to put their passion for entrepreneurship into practice while succeeding as a full-time student. He will discuss how to select the perfect “side hustle,” how to launch it quickly and how to learn and iterate along the way.

Villhard started his career at Disney before leaving the corporate world 20 years ago to start companies – and side hustles. In addition to serving as a professor and academic director of entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis, he is the CEO and co-founder of Second Street, a software as a service tech company in the audience engagement space working with more than 4,000 newspapers, radio and TV stations across the country. He is also the managing director and co-founder of Villhard Growth Partners and chairman and co-founder of a non-profit high school he and his wife, Diane, started in their hometown.

Doug (’94) and Diane (’95) established the Villhard Innovation Fund at Truman in 2016 to assist the University in expanding entrepreneurial and innovative opportunities for students. They are the inspirational force behind Truman’s Bulldog B.I.T.E. pitch competition. In the spring of 2019 Doug joined the Truman faculty to teach “The Art and Science of Entrepreneurial Thinking.”

Villhard’s presentation is open to students of all majors. Pizza will be available for those in attendance. Tickets are limited so the courtesy of an RSVP is requested by Oct. 14. To RSVP, visit truman.edu/sidehustle.
Nursing Students to Present on Philippines Trip

Fourteen nursing students traveled abroad to the Philippines, May 17-June 9, in order to gain clinical experience with a transcultural perspective.

Students were accompanied by former faculty members Kit and Steve Hadwiger, as well as current faculty member Rafael Tubongbanua. They spent the majority of their time in various parts of Iloilo, where they were a part of the 20th Transcultural Nursing Program at West Visayas State University. Each student was partnered with a Filipino nursing student from West Visayas who accompanied them to some of their clinicals in order to act as a translator and to teach students more about Filipino culture.

In their first week, students had clinical experiences at a gerontological nursing facility, social hygiene clinic, sanitarium, pediatric ward, medical ward and rural community in Badiangan, Iloilo. The following week, students participated in clinicals in the emergency room and intensive care unit. The also had the opportunity to deliver babies and provide newborn care in a labor and deliver unit, as well as assist in surgical procedures in the operating room.

Nursing students who participated in the Transcultural Nursing Experience included: Lily Crandall, Ingrid Erickson, Brianna Flores, Zoe Frantom, Luke Gittemeier, Claire Kendall, Susie LaFever, Cassidy Myers, Emily Schulz, Abby Van Soelen, Morgan Stoll, Samantha Trimmer, Anna Beth Wehr and Emily White.

These students will present about their experiences abroad at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. The presentation topics will include: communication process/language, health insurance/financing, family roles, social hygiene/STI, spirituality and health, nursing education and child-bearing. Refreshments will be provided.
Library Offers Free Workshop for Students

Pickler Memorial Library will host a free one-hour workshop demonstrating Zotero, a new tool to help students when writing papers, at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 and Oct. 16 in Pickler Memorial Library Room 103.

Zotero is a free app that allows students to save citation information and create customized bibliographies in standard citation styles like MLA, APA and Chicago. When writing a paper, Zotero will put in-text citations where they are wanted and add a formatted bibliographic citation to the end of the paper.

No registration is required. It is recommended students bring their own laptops. Mac applications will not be covered.
Alumni Office Selling New Apparel

The Alumni Office is selling new apparel. Purple or black Truman short-sleeve T-shirts are available starting at $6 and a gray Truman long-sleeve T-shirt starting at $12. Apparel may be purchased online and can be picked up in the Alumni Office, located in McClain Hall 205, or during the Homecoming Tailgate, Oct. 19.
Midterm Hours at the Rec
Tree Walk on the Quad

Lisa Hooper, associate professor of biology, will be leading a stroll around the Quad to become acquainted with some of Missouri’s native trees. Tree walks begin at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. Those wanting to join should meet at the north entrance to the Quad on Normal Street. For a map of the route, click here.
Applications Open for Board of Governors Student Representative

Student Government is currently accepting applications for the next student representative to the Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors is the University’s highest policymaking body, charged with the important role of setting policy and providing guidance for the University. The Board is comprised of 10 members, one of which is a non-voting student representative. The student representative serves a two-year term and plays a crucial role in representing the student body to this board.

Applications are available here and due by 5 p.m. Oct. 9. Any questions can be directed to trumanstatesenate.bog@gmail.com.
Summer Study Abroad in Costa Rica

There will be three informational meetings for students interested in the Costa Rica study abroad program.

Students will attend the Costa Rica Language Academy (CRLA), located in San José, the country’s capital, from May 16 through July 11, 2020. They will have a complete linguistic and cultural immersion by living with a host family. In addition, students will travel on weekend excursions to bio-diverse sites such as Monteverde, Arenal and Tortuguero, where they will experience trips to volcanoes, hot springs, colonial-era churches, zip lining, waterfalls, a crocodile tour and relaxing beaches.

Students will earn 12 hours of 300-400 level credit taking the following courses: Spanish Grammar and Composition; Spanish Conversation; Introduction to Hispanic Literature; and Latin American Culture and Civilization. Nine credits apply to the Spanish minor and six credits apply to the Spanish major. Students must complete Spanish 202 before studying in Costa Rica.

The Department of Classical & Modern Languages sponsors this study abroad program. For more information, contact Oscar Sendon, Matthew Tornatore or visit studyabroad.truman.edu/programs/faculty-led/costarica/.

Info Sessions:

Oct. 14
3:30 p.m.
McClain Hall 306

Oct. 24
1:30 p.m.
McClain Hall 306

Oct. 30
7 p.m.
McClain Hall 306
Faculty Forum Focuses on Chinese Education

Kevin Minch, associate provost, and visiting professor Li Xi from the University of Kansas, will present “Debating China – The Struggles and Triumphs of Promoting a Culture of Academic Argumentation and Advocacy in the People’s Republic” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in Baldwin Little Theater.

Presentation Abstract: While American educational institutions have increasingly divested themselves for academic debate instruction, academic debate culture is experiencing a meteoric rise in China. Government mandates require English majors to take a speech and/or debate class and intercollegiate debate competitions have become a high-stakes activity. The promotion of persuasive speaking and academic debate, however, poses significant pedagogical, ideological and cultural challenges in a culture that values harmony, sees importance in the preservation of personal “face” and views critiques of government policy with caution. This presentation will explore the unique challenges posed when teaching argumentation in an intercultural context while drawing insights about promoting ethical deliberative behaviors here at home.
Humans vs. Zombies Orientation Dates

The Live Action Role Playing Club will sponsor Humans vs. Zombies, a week-long, continuous game of moderated tag, starting Oct. 20. A group of human players attempt to survive a “zombie outbreak” by outsmarting a growing group of zombie payers.

Each participant must attend one orientation date:

Oct. 16
7-9 p.m.
Violette Hall 1424

Oct. 17
7-9 p.m.
Magruder Hall 1090

Oct. 18
7-9 p.m.
Magruder Hall 1090

Oct. 21
7-9 p.m.
Magruder Hall 1090
Harvest Fest Set for Oct. 17
Minor Detail Invites Guest Groups for A Cappella Fest

Minor Detail, Truman’s all women a cappella group, will host the 2019 A Capella Fest at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 in Baldwin Auditorium. Admission is free. This year, six groups will be performing from Truman and other Missouri schools. Performances include:

Mizzou’s Naturelles (all women)
Truman’s TruMen (all men)
Truman’s Sweet Nothings (co-ed)
Truman’s Minor Detail (all women)
Saint Louis University’s Bare Naked Statues (all men)
Saint Louis University’s Decadence (co-ed)
Study Abroad Trip Offers Research Opportunities in Peru

In summer 2020, Truman students of any major will have the opportunity to study and conduct research in Tambopata National Reserve in Peru.

Cultural experiences will include a day of service in Puerto Maldonado and exploration of Lima. Coursework for the class will begin on campus in the first block of summer session and will be aimed at providing students background information and tools to develop their research projects.

The class will travel as a group to Peru to spend nine days in research at Sachavacayoc Center and cultural experiences in Puerto Maldonado. Three days will be spent in the Lima area expanding knowledge on biodiversity in Peru and culture.

This four-credit study abroad course fulfills the intercultural perspective and provides four biology elective credits. There are no prerequisites to participate, and non-degree seeking students are eligible to enroll. Application and more information can be found at studyabroad.truman.edu/programs/faculty-led/peru.

Stephanie Foré, professor of biology, and Enrique Pareja, assistant professor of STEM education, MAE mathematics and science, are the faculty members who will oversee the trip. Students can meet them at an informational session at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in Magruder Hall 2007.
CMDS to Host Open House for Graduate Students

The Communication Disorders Department (CMDS) will host a Graduate Student Open House from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Health Science Building Room 2203.

All prospective students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in communication disorders from Truman are invited to attend. Information regarding the CMDS graduate program, the profession, employment opportunities and funding for graduate school will be provided along with the opportunity to meet faculty, alumni and students of the program. RSVP to Connie Ikerd, CMDS secretary, by Oct. 28.
DPS Midterm Break Hours
Oct. 10
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Oct. 11
7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 12
3-10 p.m.

Oct. 13
3-10 p.m.

Oct. 14
Resume Regular Hours
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

In case of emergency call 9-1-1. To have an officer dispatched for a non-emergency, call 660.665.5621.
Spring Faculty Textbook Orders Due Oct. 15

Spring 2020 textbook orders for faculty are due Oct. 15. Submit orders to the Truman bookstore by visiting shoptruman.com under faculty services and online adoption or by emailing bookstore@truman.edu.
Human Resources News
The following employees started during the month of September:

Julie Barthel, English and Linguistics office assistant II
Luke Callaghan, coordinator of alumni relations (advancement)
Rowen Conry, annual fund officer (advancement)
Jonathan Gooch, women’s tennis coach
Charles Lively, lecturer in computer science
Joshua McSwain, coordinator of media relations and event management (athletics)
Joseph Recupero, admission counselor
Henry Warren, admission counselor

Notables

Notables
Amber Johnson, chair and professor of anthropology, co-authored “Comparative Study of Pastoral Property Regimes in Africa Offers No Support for Economic Defensibility Model,” published in the October 2019 issue of Current Anthropology. A flagship journal, Current Anthropology only accepts articles of broad theoretical significance and publishes them with commentary from others in the field. Johnson utilized Truman students as research assistants to organize some of the data that supported the paper and to make the map of Africa that appeared in it. Now alumni, Luke Edwards, Sarah Lamkin, Kayleigh Mrasek and Gabriel Gowan participated in the project as students. Revisions to maps were made by Seth Roberts, who at the time was an Upward Bound student. He enrolled at Truman in fall 2017.

Football players Reed McBroom and Josh Schiederer were each named GLVC Football Players of the Week following Truman’s 63-14 win over Quincy, Sept. 28. McBroom led the defensive charge with nine tackles and was credited with two sacks and three tackles for loss. Schiederer makes four straight Truman wins in the special teams category. He tied a single-game school record with nine point-after makes, which was accomplished four other times in Truman history, the last in 2012. Schiederer moved into Truman’s top 10 career PATs with 51 and is 18-of-18 this season. He also averaged 44.3 yards on nine kickoffs.

Barry Poyner, professor of communication, will provide a parliamentary workshop for the city of Kirksville at 5 p.m. Oct. 8. In addition to parliamentary consulting, Poyner recently passed national and state tests to receive his realtor’s license.

The Student Recreational Center was featured in Campus Rec Magazine for focusing on how to make wellness accessible to all students and the development of their self-guided wellness experience, the Better Bulldog Program.

Scholarship Opportunities

Spring 2020 Scholarships Available

Spring 2020 Foundation Scholarship applications are now available.

This is a smaller application period for Foundation scholarships that have not yet been awarded for the 2019-20 school year. The main application period will begin in February for 2020-21 scholarships. Scholarships totaling nearly $200,000 are available for the spring. Foundation scholarships are established by generous alumni and friends of the University.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time during the term of the scholarship to receive the full amount. Click here to apply in TruView. Applications can be submitted and revised at any time prior to the Nov. 1 deadline.