Vol. 25 No. 2 - August 24, 2020

A liberal arts education encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills, so Truman is a natural breeding ground for potential business ideas.

During the fall 2019 semester, the offices of Academic Affairs and Advancement joined together to create the “Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative.” The goal of the program is to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among the Truman community. Past efforts have included the Bulldog B.I.T.E. pitch competition and programs like “The Art of the Side Hustle” featuring alumnus and business owner Doug Villhard.

The next component of the “Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative” is an online community forum. Any member of the Truman community can register for free, giving them access to post on topics as well as share ideas and information with others.

“This is really about creating a space where students can come to share their thoughts and bounce ideas off one another,” said Chuck Boughton, entrepreneurship fellow. “It’s exciting to have this community of support because it has the potential to help students develop their ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures. The next great, revolutionary product or service might start right here at Truman.”

The Community Entrepreneurship and Innovation Forum is available on the Truman website at communityforum.truman.edu/community. Throughout the semester the Truman Today will post the topic for the forum’s Conversation of the Week.

Entrepreneurship Week will start Sept. 22 with another presentation by Villhard, “The Art & Science of the Side Hustle in Pandemic Times,” and “Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs,” Sept. 24. Both of these virtual events are open to students, faculty and staff. More information will be available in the coming weeks. 

For those not comfortable or able to participate in-person, the U&I will be offering an opportunity for organizations to submit information virtually to share with students so they still have a chance to find an organization.

Truman is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates to earn their college degree, according to The Princeton Review.

The education services company included Truman in the 2021 edition of its annual college guide, “The Best 386 Colleges.” Only about 14 percent of America’s 2,800 four-year colleges are profiled in the book, which is one of The Princeton Review’s most popular publications. The company chooses the colleges for the book based on data it annually collects from administrators at hundreds of colleges about their institutions’ academic offerings.

The Princeton Review also considers data it gathers from its surveys of college students who rate and report on various aspects of their campus and community experiences for this project. The rankings in this edition are based on the company’s surveys of 143,000 students at the 386 schools in the book.    

In the profile on Truman, students cited the “student-professor ratio as being a huge advantage,” and that the small class sizes “translate into a ‘more personal’ learning experience.”

The Princeton Review’s school profiles and ranking lists in “The Best 386 Colleges” are posted at princetonreview.com/best385.

Truman’s chapter of the Student Center for the Public Trust earned Gold Star status from its national organization for its efforts during the 2019-20 academic year.

Every year Center for the Public Trust encourages chapters to stay involved with their members and community. Chapters have the opportunity to obtain either Star Chapter or Golden Star Chapter status. Truman’s chapter received Golden Star status for the third consecutive year since its inception.

Nationally, Center for the Public Trust has 46 chapters; Truman was one of 17 to receive this honor. In order to achieve Golden Star status chapters must: elect officers; host five chapter meetings; have two community service events; submit reports; present a Campus Being a Difference Award; and create an Ethics in Action video.

For the first time in its history, Truman’s chapter conducted a virtual chapter meeting and virtual elections. Both in person and over zoom, members were able to analyze different ethical situations.

The chapter created an Ethics in Action video with the theme of unemployment discrimination.

Members had a great time participating in the University’s Trunk-or-Treat event with the Kirksville community and helping Rotaract sell tickets for its annual Spaghetti Dinner to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

David Gillette and Caleb Bruemmer were the faculty and student recipients, respectively, for the Campus Being a Difference awards. Both of these individuals positively impacted the school by displaying strong ethical leadership.

Membership in the Student Center for the Public Trust is open to all current Truman students. For more information or details on how to join, visit the organization’s Facebook page or email studentcpttruman@gmail.com.

The next two episodes of “Bulldog Break,” a webinar series sponsored by the Office of Advancement, will focus on Truman’s newest deans.

Rashmi Prasad, dean of the School of Business, will be the featured guest at 1 p.m. Aug. 25, followed by Steve Parsons, dean of the School of Arts and Letters at 12 p.m. Sept. 22.
 
Each event is a one-hour webinar that will allow attendees to hear about the deans’ past work experiences and what led them to Truman. The sessions will also allow participants to ask questions to better understand their visions for their respective schools and how they will work with all constituents to move the schools forward.
 
“Bulldog Break” is a free webinar. Participants can register online here for School of Business session, and here for the School of Arts and Letters session. Questions about the event can be directed to bulldogforever@truman.edu.

Anyone living, learning and working on campus is required to complete daily symptom checks during the fall semester.

To make this process easier, Truman has implemented the self-screening app #CampusClear. This app allows users to quickly report their health status before going to class or coming to campus. Using the #CampusClear app is voluntary, but highly encouraged.


The app will prompt a series of questions. Based on responses, users will be told they are “good to go” or given guidance on what to do next. It is important to note the app is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnoses.

The only information the app collects is an email address and survey responses. Information is encrypted and will be accessible only to authorized Truman administrators. The app does not use GPS or Bluetooth and does not track location.

More than 1,000 colleges and universities have signed-up to use #CampusClear. This tool is an important part of the extensive efforts Truman is undertaking for the well-being of the entire community. Taking a few seconds each day to record and report a health status will help prevent an outbreak and allow the University to complete the semester in person.

Truman’s COVID-19 website has been updated to include a count for cases associated with the University.

Numbers on the site are coordinated by the Student Health Center in conjunction with county health departments and date back to mid-July. The University receives reports about potential positive COVID-19 cases from a multitude of sources requiring verification and cross checking. Most students and some employees are permanent residents of other counties. Because they might choose to get tested in their home county, the University’s tally on the page may vary slightly from the count reported by the Adair County Health Department. To provide the most accurate data possible, updates will be posted weekly, by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Employees and off-campus students with positive tests are asked to isolate at home. On-campus students who test positive and do not return home are isolated in a single living space with a private bathroom. Anyone who returns home to isolate is still considered an active case among the Truman community until they recover, even if they are not on campus or isolating in Kirksville. In observance of medical privacy, details regarding specific cases cannot be disclosed.

Any campus updates specific to COVID-19 will continue to be posted on the website. The Fall 2020 website has helpful resources, including links for health and wellness. Residence Life maintains a website for on-campus students, and University Counseling Services has a page dedicated to helpful resources. 

The McNair Program supports and prepares underrepresented students for graduate studies. Paid summer research internships, funds for graduate school visits and conferences, and seminars and academic counseling are just a few of the benefits the program has to offer. Applications are open now with a priority deadline of Sept. 15. RSVP for a virtual McNair information session here.

Aug. 24
4:30-5 p.m.

Sept. 2
6:30-7 p.m.

Sept. 4
5:30-6 p.m.

Sept. 9
5-5:30 p.m.

For more information visit mcnair.truman.edu or follow the program on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

A webinar on research opportunities available through the Office of Student Research and the McNair Program will take place at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 via Zoom. Students from various fields who participated in funded summer research internships at Truman will share what they learned. Representatives from the Office of Student Research and the McNair Program will also provide information. RSVP here to get the Zoom link.

Virtual Midwest Regional URSCA
The Office of Student Research is seeking applications for students interested in presenting at the Virtual Midwest Regional Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) Conference. This conference is sponsored by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) and hosted by Truman. Ten abstracts highlighting different disciplines across campus will be selected to represent the University at the Virtual URSCA, Oct. 2-3. Students applying to present at the Virtual URSCA should be able to dedicate time Oct. 2-3 to participate in the virtual conference.
 
Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research
The Office of Student Research is accepting Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research (GIASR) applications for research and creative scholarship conducted during the fall. Grant applications may request up to $750 and can cover student stipends, supplies and travel to conduct research.
 
Complete guidelines for the Midwest URSCA and GIASR applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications for both opportunities are due by 11:59 p.m. Aug. 28. Questions can be emailed to osr@truman.edu.

• Earn up to three hours of academic credit or complete as scholarship hours or work-study
• Participate in Missouri State Archives initiative to preserve local court records
• Receive training from a certified professional archivist
• Visit the State Archives on a field trip to Jefferson City

 To find out what the internships entail and how to apply, visit the Judicial Archives webpage or contact Jason McDonald, assistant professor of history, Baldwin Hall 226, 660.785.7575.

Students with financial needs that may interfere with their ability to continue their education can seek assistance through the Truman State University Foundation Loan Program.

Foundation loans can come in the form of short-term loans, long-term loans, access loans and cultural loans. Applications go through the Financial Aid Office and are repaid directly to the University. Banks and outside lenders are not involved in the process.

To be eligible for a Foundation loan students must be enrolled on a full-time basis and be in good academic standing. Students also need to demonstrate an ability to repay the loan in a timely manner. Deferments of up to five years are available for cultural and long-term loans, provided the student is enrolled on a full-time basis.

In addition to scholarship assistance, the loan program is an example of the immediate impact of donations to the Truman State University Foundation. Gifts from alumni and friends allow Truman to provide assistance directly to students as they pursue their education.

For more information on the Foundation loan program, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@truman.edu, at 660.785.4130 or in person at McClain Hall 103.

Men’s fraternity recruitment will take place Sept. 10-16. It will begin with a virtual assembly featuring information for all fraternities. Each chapter will host events throughout the week following proper safety guidelines.

Sign-up at greeklife.truman.edu/ifc-recruitment. For more information, visit ifc.truman.edu. Follow the Interfraternity Council on Facebook or Instagram. Questions regarding fraternity recruitment can be directed to Dalton Kaeshoefer, IFC president, or Marcus Jessen, IFC recruitment chair.

Alpha Sigma Gamma Service Sorority is having their Fall 2020 Recruitment Sept. 15-17 from 7-9 p.m. each evening. The first and third nights will be on Zoom. Links will be provided the week of the event. The second night is tentatively a small, outdoor service event on campus. All undergrad students who identity as female and love service and sisterhood are invited. Contact pr.asgducks@gmail.com with questions or if you wish not to come to the in-person service event.

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