Vol. 24 No. 27 - March 30, 2020

In the wake of in-person classes being suspended for the remainder of the semester, Truman reached out to faculty members so they could submit short videos offering messages of encouragement to students. The first compiled clips are available now. Click here to watch. More clips may be shared in future issues of the Truman Today as well as through the University’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Any faculty or staff member who would like to submit a message to students can do so here.

 
Spring 2020 Commencement has been postponed and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will take place Aug. 1. Details are still being finalized and will be announced when they are available.
 
Commencement is a celebration of student achievement. Degrees will still be conferred at the regular time and diplomas will be sent to graduates in the mail.
 
The Registrar’s Office has converted the graduation fair, originally scheduled for late April, to an alternate format and will notify May graduates when the final details are ready.

Students planning to graduate need to complete the graduation clearance process by completing any items noted as not complete on their TruView account. To see what items still need to be completed, log into TruView and navigate to the Student Tab; click on the Registration Tab on the Student Data Channel/Box, select “Apply to Graduate/Graduation Clearance Form” and then select “Undergraduate Graduation Clearance Form.” Any item that does not say “Yes” under the Completed column, still needs to be completed. Students can complete all of the items online except Senior Testing. If Senior Testing does not show complete, click on the “Explanation” link to see what is needed.
 
Also, graduates should update the permanent address to where they would like their diploma mailed.

Questions regarding purchased materials for commencement should be communicated directly to the merchant.

Truman has earned a spot on a new list of America’s best public colleges and universities.
 
The study by Business First ranks 485 four-year public institutions across the country, based on 22 indicators of academic excellence, affordability, diversity and economic strength. Truman came in at No. 81 on the list of the top 100 public schools in the nation.

Public schools offer the most affordable path toward a bachelor’s degree, which is why Business First has been rating them since 2015. The annual rankings are based on a 22-part formula that analyzes the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. The formula gives the highest marks to schools with highly selective admissions processes, strong retention and graduation rates, impressive earnings by alumni, generous resources, affordable tuitions and housing costs, diverse faculties and student bodies, and economically robust communities. The study is based on the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

The University of Michigan took the top spot this year, followed by North Carolina, California-Berkeley, Virginia and UCLA rounding out the top five. The complete top-to-bottom standings can be seen here.

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri is always an important community partner, and its value is magnified in times of crisis. Students in Kirksville facing food insecurity can take advantage of food bank resources at the locations and times listed below.

Anyone who would like to support the food bank can visit sharefoodbringhope.org for details. Food donations can be dropped off anytime by calling 660.216.5036 to make arrangements. Financial donations can be mailed to 2101 Vandiver Dr., Columbia, MO 65202. All donations stay local. Those who would like to volunteer can call 660.216.5036 to schedule a time.

Pantry for Adair County
2012 S. Halliburton
Distribution:
Tuesday 4-6 p.m.
Wednesday 1-3 p.m.
Friday 1-3 p.m.

Salvation Army
1004 W. Gardner St.
Distribution:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Christian Community Food Depot
1123 N. Osteopathy
Distribution:
Call for appointment Thursdays: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
660.234.1149 Please leave message
Food pick up is Thursday starting at 1 p.m.

The spread of COVID-19 and measures to stem the spread of the virus have created immediate needs at Truman, resulting in unexpected costs related to housing, technology for class meetings, food and transportation for students.

The Truman State University Foundation is accepting donations to the following funds to help support students. Domestic students experiencing economic hardship should contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@truman.edu or 660.785.4130. International students can contact the Center for International Students at iso01@truman.edu or 660.785.4215.

Investing in Students
Created in response to the recession of 2008, this fund provides emergency aid for students facing financial hardship. Click here to support this fund.

International Student Fund
International students have acute economic needs as they navigate this pandemic half a world away from home. Click here to support this fund.

To keep Truman up to date with all the latest news, the Index is launching a weekly email newsletter and podcast. Stay in the know and subscribe on the tmn.truman.edu homepage to receive a weekly newsletter. Tune in to the podcast on tmn.truman.edu as well as Spotify and Apple Music.

Due to current measures of social distancing, Community Opportunities, the University’s recycling partner, has closed operations. At this time, no pick-ups are being made. Individuals should not bring recyclable material from home, and employees should be mindful of the amount of recyclable material they generate. For sanitary reasons, campus recycling bins are temporarily being replaced with traditional trash containers until recycling resumes. Questions can be directed to sguth@truman.edu.

Campus Recreation is now hiring for the upcoming summer and fall semesters. Multiple positions are available, and applications can be downloaded and submitted online. Deadline for all applications is 3 p.m. April 3.

The Office of Student Research is now accepting applications for conference travel as well as grants-in-aid scholarship and research (GIASR) for summer 2020.

Conference travel scholarship applications are for students presenting the results of their research or creative scholarship at a conference taking place July-December 2020. Students must have completed or be currently involved in a faculty-mentored research experience and plan on presenting at the conference. The scholarship will cover up to $500 of conference registration, lodging and travel expenses.
 
GIASR applications are available for research and creative scholarship conducted in summer 2020. Grant applications may request up to $750 and can cover student stipends, supplies and travel to conduct research.
 
Complete guidelines for the conference travel scholarship and GIASR applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications for both funding opportunities are due by 11:59 p.m. April 9. Questions regarding the applications can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

The latest episode of TruTalk, hosted by Janes Dreamweaver, director of fitness-wellness, is now available. TruTalk is an unedited podcast sharing information, experiences and passions of those involved with Truman and/or Kirksville.  

Episode No. 32 features special guest Eric Dickson, a trumpet professor at Truman who coordinates the Trumpet studio and directs the brass choir. He is a certified teacher through the Institute for Mindfulness-Based Wellness and Pedagogy. Don’t miss this conversation on mindfulness and the magic of learning.

The University Board of Governors will meet via conference call at 1 p.m. April 4 in McClain Hall 206J.

Jiba Dahal, assistant professor of physics, co-authored a paper, “A Tutorial on Theoretical and Computational Techniques for Gas Breakdown in Microscale Gaps,” which was recently published in IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science.

Each year Truman nominates students for national fellowship opportunities who have shown outstanding academic performance and exceptional service accomplishments. The application process is very rigorous and highly competitive, but the University provides support as students prepare for and then apply to these prestigious scholarships.
 
Listed below are several of the major national fellowships and their websites. More information about these fellowships is available at www.truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/fellowships.

For Graduate Studies
Fulbright Grants
Research grants and teaching assistantships for a year abroad

Rhodes Scholarships
Grants for two years of study at Oxford University

Marshall Scholarships
Awards for two years of study in any British university

Mitchell Scholarships
One year of graduate study or research in Ireland or Northern Ireland

Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Awards for an advanced degree or second bachelor’s degree at the University of Cambridge

 
For Undergraduate Studies
Goldwater Scholarships
Up to $7,500 annually for tuition, fees, books, room and board for science and mathematics majors

Harry S. Truman Scholarships
For senior year and post-graduate study leading to a career in public service

Udall Scholarships
For students interested in careers related to environmental issues or for Native Americans and Alaskans interested in careers related to health care and tribal public policy

Carnegie Endowment Junior Fellowships
For students interested in international affairs to work as research assistants to the Endowment’s senior associates in Washington, D.C. for a full year

Boren Scholarships
To study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests