Vol. 24 No. 15 - December 2, 2019

The Truman football team will represent the GLVC in the inaugural America’s Crossroads Bowl, Dec. 7, at Brickyard Stadium in Hobart, Ind.

The Bulldogs will play the Ohio Dominican Panthers out of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC). Truman finished the regular season with a record of 9-2 and was third in the GLVC with a 5-2 mark. The Panthers were 7-2 overall, 6-1 in the GMAC.

Truman has played in the postseason six times, the last being the 1994 NCAA Division II playoffs against North Dakota. The Bulldogs have four NCAA playoff appearances (1994, 1992, 1990, 1982) and two bowl appearances, the 1980 Shrine Bowl against Pittsburg (Kan.) State played in St. Joseph, Mo., and the 1961 Mineral Water Bowl against Parsons (Iowa) played in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

The America’s Crossroads Bowl is one of five Division II bowl games and a joint venture between the SouthShore Convention & Visitors Bureau, the city of Hobart, the GLVC and the GMAC.

Kickoff will be at 1 p.m., and tickets should be purchased ahead of time at Americascrossroadsbowl.com.

In honor of Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Office of Advancement is highlighting three funds to demonstrate the impact a gift can have in the life of a Truman student.

The three funds spotlighted at truman.edu/givingtuesday are indicative of the multitude of ways donors can show support to the University.

The Investing in Students Fund provides emergency relief to keep students on pace to graduate, even when faced with financial hardship. It was established in January 2009 with a $30,000 pledge from former University President Darrell Krueger and his wife, Nancy, to assist Truman students with the most critical financial need.

Truman has partnered with the Pantry for Adair County to address food insecurity on campus. Any student limiting their food intake due to cost is eligible to receive a pack, which can be picked up at the SERVE Center in the Student Union Building. A gift to the Truman Food Bank helps meet day-to-day needs of students facing food insecurity.

Alumna Jenna Fischer is showing gratitude to her alma mater by offering a generous 2:1 match on Giving Tuesday. The Emmy-nominated actress will give $2 for every $1 donated to the Ronald M. Rybkowski Honorary Technical Theatre Scholarship up to $20,000. Established in 2019, the scholarship helps provide technical experience to students who have demonstrated leadership qualities and who possess a positive attitude and excellent work ethic. Fischer previously returned to campus in April 2019 to announce the creation of the scholarship named in honor of her mentor and his 31-year career at Truman. 

Truman’s December graduation ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 in Pershing Arena, with alumna Sharron Sue (Grogan-Bailey) Quisenberry providing the commencement address.

Quisenberry received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Truman in 1966 and a Master of Arts in environmental biology at Hood College in 1975. She then entered graduate school at the University of Missouri-Columbia, earning a Master of Science and Ph.D. of entomology in 1977 and 1980, respectively.

As an emerita professor of entomology at Iowa State University, Quisenberry is recognized nationally and internationally for her research in host plant resistance to insects and insect-plant interactions. She began her career in entomology as an assistant professor at Iowa State and attained the ranks of associate and full professor of entomology at Louisiana State University. Quisenberry moved into administration as division chair at the University of Idaho, department head at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, dean of agriculture at Montana State University and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Virginia Tech. She returned to Iowa State to serve as vice president for research and economic development before retiring in 2013. She came out of retirement in June 2019 and is currently serving as associate dean for research and faculty and graduate affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.

With colleague Steve Clement, Quisenberry co-authored a seminal book on conservation of germplasm for insect resistance that is used globally. She has authored and co-authored more than 95 referred journal articles, books and book chapters, with more than 150 other technical publications including a patent and three registered germplasm/cultivars. Quisenberry has presented more than 140 lectures at international and national meetings and has received funding for research as principal and co-principal investigator from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, Murdock Trust, Ford Foundation and industry.

Quisenberry was named Entomological Society of America Fellow in 2002 and Honorary Member in 2010. She served on the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Board for International Food and Agriculture Development.

Specific to Truman, Quisenberry was a member of the Foundation Board, serving as president-elect and president before stepping down to assume the role of national chair for the University’s five-year “Pursue the Future” development campaign. In addition, Quisenberry and her husband Larry were named Truman’s Alumni of the Year in 2010 and received the University’s prestigious President’s Leadership Award in 2019.

Family and friends unable to attend the event in person can view the commencement ceremony online.

Details on commencement can be found here or through the Facebook event.

Truman students, from left, AJ Clever, Emily Buerck, Amanda Kapp and Cameron Akeson, traveled to Chicago to participate in the Deloitte FanTAXtic case study competition, Nov. 7-8. The team won their region and will participate at the national competition in January.

Truman’s team of four students were named as one of nine regional winners of the Deloitte FanTAXtic student tax case study competition.
 
Nearly 60 teams representing more than 40 colleges and universities participated in the regional event, Nov. 7-8, at 13 Deloitte offices across the U.S. Truman’s team, composed of juniors Emily Buerck and Amanda Kapp, along with sophomores Cameron Akeson and AJ Clever, – all from the School of Business – competed in Chicago.

The team from Truman demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively to solve a complex business case simulation. They also were recognized for the quality of their overall presentation to a panel of live and virtual judges.

On Jan. 18, the Truman team will compete for nearly $50,000 in individual scholarships and institutional awards at the Deloitte FanTAXtic national competition taking place at Deloitte University, the company’s national learning and leadership development center near Dallas, Texas.

Deloitte FanTAXtic is designed to educate and prepare the next generation of tax talent for a career in business and tax. The interactive program includes case simulation, role playing and presentations which provide students with insights and perspectives on challenges facing the profession today, future trends that may impact it tomorrow and the overall changing business tax marketplace.

Truman students and staff participated in the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) regional flag football tournament, Nov. 8-10, at Oklahoma State University.

The intramural department sent a women’s team and men’s team. The women’s team consisted of multiple members of Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF), Campus Outreach and a few roster additions to round out a full team of seven. The men’s team included members from Beta Theta Pi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Chi, CCF and Campus Outreach to make a team of 10. Members for both teams included:

Women’s Team
Zoe Coffelt
Morgan Eby
Alyssa Freiner
Maegan Holland
Elli Jensen
Hannah Smiles
Leah Stone

Men’s Team
Dane Bossert
Ivan Bossert
Ryan Gudeman
Paul Haarmann
Ross Parke
Reese Rosenquist
Nick Thiele
Noah Vermette
Wyatt Waelder
Dawson Wood

The women’s team ended with a 1-3 record overall after losing in the semifinals. Their win against Texas State made Truman the only team in the tournament to score and beat them in pool play.

The men’s team finished with a 4-1 record after winning every pool play game. They were seeded as the number one team headed into playoffs. Their tournament came to an end after losing in the last two minutes of play to UMKC in the semifinal. UMKC went on to win the regional title.

Dane Bossert and Alyssa Freiner were both voted to All-Tournament teams. Only the top five players from each league receive this recognition. These votes and decisions come from a panel made up of eight professional staff members from across the nation who had a combined 20 years of NIRSA Championship Series experience.

Bossert was recognized from the men’s team for his offensive stats and leadership abilities on the field. He finished the tournament with six passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, three game-changing plays and two MVP votes. Freiner was recognized from the women’s team for her defensive plays and relentless efforts to lead a team with heart and tenacity. She finished the tournament with 10 sacks, three MVP votes and two game-changing plays.

Truman also had two representatives on the Competition/Operations Committee for the tournament. Those representatives were Eric Vaughn, director of intramurals, and Brianna Grotts, intramurals supervisor.

Stop by the pizza party for a complimentary meal of pizza, veggies, drinks and cookies. Those with special dietary requirements should contact the Office of Advancement. This will be an opportunity for students to pick up other gifts such as their first official Bulldog Forever alumni T-shirt.

Those students who cannot attend may stop by the Office of Advancement, located in McClain Hall 205, after Dec. 9 to pick up their T-shirt and goodie bag. T-shirts will also be given out at commencement, immediately following the ceremony.

Questions regarding the pizza party, goodie bags or T-shirts can be directed to Luke Callaghan, alumni relations coordinator, or check out the Facebook event.

Details on commencement can be found online or through the Facebook event.

The Truman Police Department is teaming up with the Truman Food Bank this holiday season to allow students, faculty and staff to pay up to two unpaid parking tickets with non-perishable food donations instead of cash.

During the week of Dec. 2-6, the Truman Police Department will accept canned goods and other non-perishable food items in lieu of monetary payments at the rate of one item for every $5 in fines owed.

All items collected will be donated to the Truman Food Bank, a group that provides assistance for students in need.

City of Kirksville parking tickets, handicap parking tickets and fire lane violations do not qualify.

This is only valid Dec. 2-6 for currently unpaid parking tickets received during this academic school year. Participants taking advantage of this opportunity should bring a Truman ID along with their non-perishable food items to the Truman Police Department in the General Services Building at the corner of Franklin and Patterson streets.

Truman alumnus Nathan Rueckert (’03) and his business, Baseball Seams Company, have donated four pieces of his work to be auctioned off by sealed bid.

The proceeds from the auction will benefit the baseball program at Truman. Each piece of art is made with actual used baseballs. Prospective bidders can view the artwork in Pickler Memorial Library. Bids for artwork can be submitted online via bidding form. Bidding will end at 1 p.m. Dec. 2 and the winning bidders will be notified after 4 p.m. Payment may be made by check, cash or debit/credit card. Any amount paid above the item’s market value will be considered a gift to Truman. It is the responsibility of the bidder to pick up the items or arrange for shipment within 10 days of closing of bids.

To view all auction items, visit truman.edu/giving/baseball-seams-auction/. For more information, contact Marie Murphree.

The English and Linguistics Senior Seminar Capstone Conference will take place Dec. 2-3 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A and B.

Student capstone presentations will take place from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m.-4:20 p.m. Dec. 3. For the full schedule of student presentations, click here.

Alumnus Conor Gearin (’15) will be the keynote speaker. He graduated with degrees in English and biology then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate program in science writing. His essay “Little Golden Floor-Room: On Wild Places and Intimacy” was selected for the Best American Science and Nature Writing 2019. Gearin is the co-host of the podcast “Biogenesis,” and his poetry, watercolor paintings and science writing have appeared in Mochila Review, Foliate Oak Literary Magazine, The Millions, New Scientist and The Atlantic.

Gearin will present “Generative Ground: Finding My Way to Writing Through Reading and the Natural World” at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. He will follow that with “Racing Your Ghost: On Going Backwards in My Career and Ending up Somewhere Better” at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A.
 
The School of Arts and Letters Alumni Visit Grant contributed to Gearin’s return to campus.

The International Day of Disabled Persons is Dec. 3. The Student Government Diversity Committee and the Disability Studies Department will observe this United Nations sanctioned day by raising awareness about civil rights for people with disabilities. Specifically, they will be calling attention to the fact the U.S. still has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Students are encouraged to stop by their table in the Student Union Building between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to learn about the issue and how they can help. Stickers will be available. To wrap up the day, Disability Studies capstone presentations will take place from 5-6 p.m. in the Violette Hall commons.

Truman’s male acapella group True Men will host a Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 in Baldwin Auditorium. The program will include Christmas classics as well as a short skit with a holiday twist about everyone’s favorite spy, James Bond.

The Orientation Committee is seeking enthusiastic, friendly and dedicated students to welcome the Class of 2024 to the bulldog community through summer orientation.

During summer orientation, all first-year students and their families are welcomed to Truman during sessions in April, June and a late session in August. Summer orientation leaders have access to benefits including an impactful professional experience, a deeper understanding of the University, provided room and board if needed and around a $1,500 taxable stipend.

Applications are due Dec. 14. To read the full job description, and to apply, visit truman.edu/ol. Contact Evie Clark, orientation leader coordinator, with any questions.

Drawstring packs of food are now available for Truman students experiencing food insecurity. Any student limiting their food intake due to cost is eligible to receive a pack. Packs can be picked up with a Truman ID between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the SERVE Center located in the Student Union Building 1105. Food is provided by Pantry for Adair County in partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.

Chapter members receive a variety of benefits including discounts or free admission to receptions, picnics, sports outings and other chapter events, free admission to home athletic events, two free guest passes to the campus rec center, 15 percent discount on all regularly priced Truman clothing and memorabilia at the Truman Bookstore, nationwide car rental discounts and a nationwide discount up to 20 percent at all Choice hotels and the Wyndham hotel group.

Those interested in joining can choose from various memberships, including:
•    Individual Membership: $20
•    Joint Membership: $30
•    Individual Membership for Recent Graduate*/Current Truman Student: $10
•    Joint Membership for Recent Graduate*/Current Truman Student: $15

*Graduated from Truman within the last 12 months

For more information on Truman’s alumni chapters and how to join, visit truman.edu/alumni-donors/alumni-groups/chapters/.

Students can now apply for the summer museum and archives internships.

Locations include the Harry Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Mo.; National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo.; Judicial Archives Project in Kirksville, Mo.; St. Joseph Museums in St. Joseph, Mo.; Field House Museum in St. Louis, Mo.; Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, Mo.; Mercantile Library in St. Louis, Mo., and MSU Special Collections and Archive in Springfield, Mo.

The summer internships are open to all Truman students, but they are especially relevant to those considering careers in archives, museums, teaching and law. Contact Jason McDonald for more information.

 
The Institute for Academic Outreach has summer positions available for:
 
• Joseph Baldwin Academy
• JBA Junior
• ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy
• Taiwan at Truman

Each academy is in search of preceptors and night monitors. Joseph Baldwin Academy is also in search of a videographer.
 
In order to be a preceptor, applicants must:
1) currently be a full-time student at Truman
2) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application
 
Preceptors are expected to be supportive of the University goals, responsible, enjoy working with high-ability teenage students and be high-energy individuals.
 
Applicants should prepare a letter of interest which should include: the skills they possess that will assist them when working with high-ability teenage students; related work experiences; and why they are interested in the summer academy for which they apply. Applicants will also need to complete the online application and provide a current resume.
 
Applications are due Feb. 3. Information about each available position and the online application can be accessed at tiacademies.truman.edu/employment.

The current standard hourly wage rate for student workers is $8.60. Missouri’s minimum wage law raises the rate beginning Jan. 1, 2020, through 2023. Public employers such as Truman are exempt from this law. However, to keep wages competitive, the wage rate for students will be increased to $9 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2020.