Vol. 12 No. 19 - Feb. 5, 2008

The Truman Board of Governors installed new officers during the Feb. 2 meeting that took place on campus.

Mark Wasinger of Hannibal, Mo., is the chair of the Truman Board of Governors. Cheryl Cozette of Columbia, Mo., is serving as vice president and Matt Potter of St. Louis, is serving as secretary.

Wasinger is a partner in the law firm of Wasinger, Parham, Morthland, Terrell and Wasinger, L.C. in Hannibal, Mo. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1980. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1983. 

Cozette serves as an adjunct professor in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Missouri-Columbia and as a special consultant to the eMINTS National Center for programs related to school administrators. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Kansas City College and Bible School. She received a Master of Arts degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and did further coursework in educational administration at Truman State University. Cozette received her Doctor of Education in educational administration (curriculum & instruction, general administration) from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Potter is the Deputy Democratic Director for the City of St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners. He graduated magna cum laude from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in Latin in 1996. He received his juris doctorate from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1999.

The Board also welcomed John Hilton as the newly appointed out-of-state representative to the Board. Hilton succeeds Matthew Barnes who served on the Board for six years.  Barnes was recognized by the Board with a resolution of appreciation for his sincere devotion and dedication to Truman.

The Board also received updates from various departments across campus, including the University Career Center, Advancement, Finance and Facilities.

Among other actions, the Board:
• Approved the sale of revenue bonds in the amount of $23,500,000 for the renovation of Dobson Hall and the design and renovation of Ryle Hall. This represents phase three of a four-phased, $81.35 million plan to renovate the residence halls on campus;
• Authorized the resources to convert the former fire station into the Ruth Towne Museum and Visitors Center;
• Approved hiring a consultant to work with the TV studio in Barnett Hall and approved money for the TV studio relocation and equipment;
• Approved minor increases to previously approved budgets for projects in the Student Union, Missouri Hall and Baldwin Auditorium;
• Hired a firm to assist with plans for the expansion and improvements of parking on the west side of Franklin Street and Barnett Hall; and
• Approved a proposal to provide professional services for utility and site mapping.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Governors is set for April 5.

The Peking Acrobats, a troupe of China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and gymnasts complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments will bring their 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics to Truman at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in Baldwin Auditorium as the next Kohlenberg Lyceum Series performance.

Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats; an acrobat can be considered the Chinese equivalent of an American opera star. Generations of families carry on this highly acclaimed tradition. Children begin training at a young age and adhere to a rigorous training schedule which they follow the rest of their lives. Only the best acrobats find themselves members of an elite world-touring troupe such as the Peking Acrobats.

For centuries, dating back to the Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C.-207 B.C.), Chinese acrobats have continued to perfect an evolving folk art form. Tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add its own improvements and embellishments. Each new movement or action takes many years to practice and perfect.    

A performance by the Peking Acrobats, therefore, brings with it the opportunity to view the epitome of a rich and ancient folk art tradition in addition to the pageantry and spectacle of the modern Chinese Circus. The Chinese acrobatic tradition has become even stronger due to the continued innovation of the artists and their adoring public. These acrobats have traveled all across the world, performed to packed houses and have been featured in many television shows as well as the popular "Ocean’s 11" movie series. Those who have seen the Peking Acrobats on any of their previous tours can be assured that they will see new, exciting acts and new twists to their old favorites.

Seating is general admission. Admission is free for students, faculty and staff with their University ID. Tickets will be available beginning Feb. 8. Students will be able pick up tickets at the Student Activities Board Office, first floor of the Student Union Building. Faculty and staff will be able to pick up tickets at the Center for Student Involvement, first floor of the Student Union Building.

The University requests that all patrons be seated five minutes prior to the performance. The University reserves the right to fill all seats, reserved and general admission, five minutes before the time of performance stated on the ticket. No refunds will be given.

Contact the Public Relations Office at 785.4016 for more information or log on to http://lyceum.truman.edu.

Members of the Truman Forensic Union posted a strong showing in multiple divisions at Webster University’s “Gorlok Gala” Jan. 25-27, including tournament championships in two divisions and a strong finish in a third.

Barbara Gillard, a freshman from Jackson, Mo., with a 4-2 preliminary round record, captured the tournament championship of the junior Lincoln-Douglas debate division after a 3-0 decision over her opponent from McKendree College. Her colleagues, Jennifer Wilborn, a freshman from Overland Park, Kan., and Mehdi Zaidi, a freshman from Chesterfield, Mo., captured the tournament championship in novice parliamentary debate with a 4-2 preliminary round record and a final round defeat of Ohio’s Cedarville College on a 3-0 decision. Gillard was the fifth-ranked speaker in her division.

In varsity-level parliamentary debate, the team of Mark Buchheit, a sophomore from Carthage, Mo., and Dylan Rothermel, a senior from Homewood, Ill., reached the quarterfinals of the tournament before losing to the eventual finalists from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Ill.). Buchheit was ranked seventh speaker in the division. Rothermel was ranked ninth in the varsity division of Lincoln-Douglas debate. Additional teams from Truman composed of Sarah Backhaus, a freshman from Liberty, Mo., and Dylan Clark, a freshman from Maryland Heights, Mo., as well as Gillard and Chris Girouard, a junior from Chesterfield, Mo., amassed sufficient preliminary round records to reach elimination rounds, but were edged-out by teams with a statistical advantage in speaker points, the first tie-breaker.

“While our senior students continue to impress us with their consistency, we are equally excited about our successful freshman class,” said Kevin Minch, director of forensics. “The majority of our team is now composed of freshmen, and we acquired an additional six recruits at semester. In only two weeks one of these new recruits has already made it to a tournament championship. Their potential is exciting.”

The rest of the new recruits will make their inaugural appearance in the junior division of the Air Force Academy Tournament, the weekend of the Feb. 7-10.

The Forensic Union is an academic and competitive program of the Department of Communication. Students interested in the program should contact Minch at 785.5677 or kminch@truman.edu for more information. The program’s Web site can be located at http://forensics.truman.edu.

The Spring 2008 Faculty Forum will present Warren Gooch, professor of music, in an evening titled “‘How Do You Get Your Ideas?’: A Composer Talks About His Music.” Gooch will present at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Gooch said that composers of music are often asked by curious listeners to answer two seemingly innocuous questions. They are asked “Where do you get your ideas from?” and “When you compose, what comes to you first-the melody, chorus, words (etc., etc., etc.)?”

In reality, the answers to these questions are rarely simple, as the creative process is often a complex one involving intricate interaction between both sides of the brain, Gooch said.

In this spring 2008 session of the Truman Faculty Forum composer Gooch will briefly discuss the creative process as it applies to specific original musical works. The session will include performances of the musical works under discussion. Faculty, students, staff and community members are all invited to attend.

The Truman Faculty Forum was created in 2003 to give faculty the opportunity to present their research and creative work to the Truman community and to enhance the importance of scholarship and creativity in the culture of our institution. In the spirit of the liberal arts, the Forum provides one more way of exposing all members of the Truman community to various fields of investigation.

The Student Ambassadors are a group of approximately 150 students whose goal is to promote Truman State University to prospective students and their families. Ambassadors are in charge of visiting with prospective students, giving tours of campus, and assisting with visit events.

Student Ambassadors are responsible, energetic, and above all, sincere in their desire to relate all aspects of University life to prospective students and their families.

Applications are available now and can be picked up in the Admissions Office (McClain Hall 205) or downloaded at http://admissions.truman.edu/ambassadors.asp. Completed applications must be turned in no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 15. Interviews will be conducted on Feb. 19-22 and Feb. 26-29.

If you have any questions, contact Jill Graves at jgraves@truman.edu.

Truman may nominate up to six students for the nationally competitive Morris K. Udall Scholarship. The Udall Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers related to the environment (in all fields), and to encourage outstanding Native American and Alaska native students to pursue careers related to health care and tribal public policy. Requirements include sophomore or junior standing with at least a 3.0 GPA and ranking in the top quarter of a student’s class. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $5,000. The campus deadline for applications is Feb. 13. Students may contact Maria C. Di Stefano at mdistefa@truman.edu with questions. Complete information available at http://www.udall.gov.

This Feb. 8 is the deadline for project submissions for the fourth annual TruTech Challenge, a juried competition of projects that use technology to achieve some learning outcome. Students, faculty, staff, and student organizations are invited to submit projects to the Challenge. Submitters will be asked to present their projects at Truman’s Technology Fair during the University Conference, Feb. 20. Prizes will be awarded to the top projects. Prizes in previous years have included handheld computer PDAs and computer printers.

To be a part of the TruTech Challenge, you should include a 250-1,000 word description of the project. The description should include a statement of the project’s purpose (what learning outcome it attempts to achieve), the ways in which the project uses technology, the ways in which the achievement of the project’s purpose is facilitated by the use of technology, the progress that has been made in executing the project and what assistance, if any, was received from others in executing the project. Also, submitters should include any supporting materials for the project that they would like the TruTech Challenge jury to consider. These materials might include (but are certainly not limited to) links to Web sites, printed or electronic documents, CD-ROMs, videotapes/DVDs, audio recordings, or artwork.

Project submissions should be made by Feb. 8 to Chad Mohler, either via e-mail to chmohler@truman.edu or campus mail Chad Mohler, Department of Philosophy & Religion, McClain Hall 214. By submitting a project, you agree to allow your submission to be posted on TLTR’s Web site, http://tltr.truman.edu and to present your project at the Technology Fair on Feb. 20.

The TLTR committee will judge each of the submitted projects on the degree to which its use of technology enhances the project’s attempt at achieving its learning outcome. Prize winners will be announced at the Technology Fair on Feb. 20.

Kris McKim returned to Truman on Jan. 14 as a grants and compliance specialist in the Center for Teaching and Learning.

McKim had previously worked at Truman in the Business Office and then in Advancement before moving to a position at A.T. Still University. Most recently, she served as the assistant city manager for the city of Kirksville.

In her position of grants and compliance specialist, McKim will be overseeing Truman’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), which reviews research projects with human subjects. She will also be assisting with those who have received grants by making sure they know the post award requirements and are able to complete them. As time allows, McKim may also be working with Truman faculty on their proposals.

McKim is looking forward to working with the Truman faculty and staff to make the grant process as smooth as possible.

Selected members of F.A.C.T. will be required to participate in spring and fall training in order to provide Get Involved sessions and evening activities to incoming freshman during Truman Week 2008. Applications are due to the Center for Student Involvement by 5 p.m. Feb. 19. Interviews will take place the weeks of Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. For more information contact the Center for Student Involvement at 785.4222 or Amy Currier at acurrier@truman.edu.

The Hispanic American Leadership Organization (H.A.L.O.) will be hosting a dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Ryle Hall Main Lounge.

The dinner will showcase Hispanic cooking. Cost is $5 per plate.

Contact William Young at why394@truman.edu for more information.

The spring semester is in full swing and so are preparations for this year’s Career Expo which will take place from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Student Union Building. Now is the perfect time for students to update their résumé and have it critiqued, practice their interviewing skills, and meet with research companies that are coming to the Career Expo. Students can have their résumé critiqued on a drop-in basis by any of the career assistants at the Career Center.

Other important dates:
Feb. 25: Join the Career Center for Expo 411, a fun event to take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Violette Hall Commons. Students will be able to register for Expo, have their résumé critiqued, find out about how to make the most of their Expo experience, and enjoy popcorn, soda and music.

Feb. 8, Feb.15 and Feb. 22: Sign up to practice interviewing skills with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). Students may sign-up now in person in the Career Center. In order to interview, students must dress professionally and turn their résumé in 24 hours before the interview.

Feb. 26: Join Lauren Monks of Edward Jones for a presentation titled “Backpack to Briefcase” at 5 p.m. Co-sponsored by Delta Sigma Pi, the location for this session will be determined.

Feb. 26: Eli Lilly representative Ted Theobald will host “How to Work a Career Fair” at 6 p.m. in the Career Center classroom. This popular and well-regarded session provides practical insight into handling different styles of interview questions.

The Career Expo takes place  Feb. 27 and the Interview Day for the Expo is Feb. 28.

Students are welcome to stop by the Career Center or call 785.4566 if they have any questions.

1 p.m. • Feb. 16
Pershing Arena

Join the Bulldogs and more than 700 schools to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for breast cancer.

Fans who wear pink clothing will be admitted free. Pink shirts can be purchased in advance for $10 with proceeds benefiting the Adair Co. Relay for Life. Survivors will be honored at halftime and fans may buy Luminaries for the upcoming Relay For Life event.

Also featured is a 50/50 drawing of which 50 percent of the money will be donated to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in the name of the student organization that is judged to be the “Craziest Pink Group.” Prizes will be also be awarded for trivia questions and the “Biggest Pink Fan.”

Calling all filmmakers.

The Compost Project is sponsoring a film festival this spring. The subject of all films will be related to composting; information regarding various topics can be accessed on the U-drive under the folder “Compost Film Festival” in Michael Kelrick’s folder (biology department) in order to aid filmmakers in making entertaining short films which are also educational.

Film submissions are due in DVD format to Kelrick’s office door (Magruder Hall 3024) by 5 p.m. Feb. 10. Resources to aide in film production are listed in a document on the Compost Film Festival U-drive folder. The films will be judged by parties who are not affiliated with the Compost Project. The festival, including the awarding of prizes, will occur soon after spring break.

Any inquiries, interest or additional information can be addressed to Ginger Daugherty at ged106@truman.edu or tsu.compost@gmail.com.

 Activity: Taboo
 Division: Open
 Deadline: Feb. 11
 *Captains’ Meeting: N/A
 Play Begins: Feb. 17

 Activity: Scrapbooking
 Division: Open
 Deadline: Feb. 18
 *Captains’ Meeting: N/A
 Play Begins: March 22

Entry forms and information sheets may be picked up at the Student Recreation Center (lobby area). Entry forms are to be deposited into the metal box located at the Member Services Desk in the Student Recreation Center. The entry deadline for each sport will be 11 p.m. on the date posted above. Online registration is available.

*Captains’ Meetings for each sport will take place on the Thursday evening following the entry deadline (unless otherwise noted) at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Student Recreation Center. Official rules for each sport are available online at http://recreation.truman.edu.

Heard any good books lately? Make your commute to work more enjoyable by listening to some of the more than 500 audio books from the library such as: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”; “Nixon and Mao”; “Emperors of Rome”; “Treasure Island”; McCullough’s “1776”; “Breakpoint”; and “Life of Abraham Lincoln.”

6:30 or 8:30 p.m. • Feb. 5
SUB Down Under (110)

Students interested in being a member of a coed honor fraternity whose organizational ideals include leadership, service and scholarship should attend.  The members of Phi Sigma Pi cordially invite students to attend one of the two informational rush meetings.

Contact Elaine Sokolowski at ems466@truman.edu for more information.

The Mostly Live Composers Society will present a recital of original student concert music from 3:30-4:20 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. The audience will be treated to world premiere performances of original vocal and instrumental works by several Truman student composers. Featured will be the Truman premiere of “Elegy for Strings” by Kevin Becker, a composition which won both the Music Teachers National Association (West Central Division) competition and the Missouri Music Teachers Association competition this year and is currently a finalist for a national award. Admission is free.

The Truman State University Art of Living Club is offering its The Art of Living Course titled “Yoga Weekend.” To register or for more information, there will be a meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in Pershing Building 325. The course will include six classes on Feb. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 15. All students, faculty, staff and community are welcome. Students will need to attend all six sessions. After completing the course, there will be free regular weekly practice sessions. For more information, contact Lloyd Pflueger at 785.4056 or 665.3004.

A Special Olympics informational meeting will take place from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in Baldwin Hall 252. Students who would like to volunteer to help with the Special Olympics Spring Games on April 19 may attend. Student organizations are also welcome but are asked to send one representative. For more information, contact Brooke Frericks at scec@truman.edu or 217.242.1769.

The Weekly Lunch Series will meet from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. This week’s session will be “How to Incorporate Guest Speakers and Outside Presentations Into Your Course.”

Weekly Lunch Extra Edition Thursdays will meet Feb. 7 and will feature Jay Bulen, associate professor of music and department chair. He will lead the annual Reading Circle on “Privilege, Power and Difference” by Allan Johnson. All Weekly Lunch Extra Edition Thursday sessions will meet from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building Room 322. Lunch will be provided so people should go directly to the room. This series will also meet Feb. 14 and 28.

Bulldog Football will host a Signing Party from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room B. The event will celebrate and recognize the newest signees to the Truman football team and will feature giveaways, snacks and goodies. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Shannon Currier at scurrier@truman.edu.

The Black History Knowledge Bowl will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room B. Students are invited to test their knowledge on historical accounts, famous individuals and interesting facts in African-American history. Teams of three or four can sign up in the Student Affairs Board Office in the Student Union Building or the Multicultural Affairs Center in the Adair Building. Contact Laura Bates at lbates@truman.edu for more information.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) mock interviews will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 8, 15 and 22 in the Career Center. This is a great opportunity to gain interviewing experience with professionals from a variety of career fields. In-person advanced sign-up with a résumé is required at least 24 hours before the interview date. Interviews are 45 minutes in length including helpful advice to improve skills of students, and professional business attire is required. Time slots fill quickly, so do not delay.

IT Services invites faculty, staff and students to TechBreak at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in Violette Hall 1300. Additional details and the topic schedule can be found at http://its.truman.edu/techbreak.

A free belly dance show featuring Petite Jamila of the Bellydance Superstars will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Student Union Building Down Under. Other out-of-town guests and members of USMED will be performing as well. The show will follow the Petite Jamila workshop from noon-4 p.m. Students interested in taking the $65 four-hour workshop should contact TrumanUSMED@gmail.com.

Beta Alpha Psi will be sponsoring Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 23, March 1, March 29 and April 5 in Violette Hall 1424. The members will give income tax assistance to students and the community and file their tax return electronically for free. Additional information is available at http://bap.truman.edu/eventsVITA.htm.

Wonderland Camp applications are due by noon Feb. 8. Applications are available at http://www.wonderlandcamp.org. For any questions or concerns please e-mail Whitey Holt at wwh051@truman.edu or Wonderland Camp’s program director at marcella@wonderlandcamp.org.

Educator of the Year nomination forms are now available. Students may nominate a professor to be this year’s Educator of the Year. Forms are available at http://senate.truman.edu and are due by Feb. 15.

Summer job application packets are due Feb. 15 in the Upward Bound Office located in Kirk Building 220. View the Web site at http://ub.truman.edu or call 785.4244 for details.

A.T. Still University is accepting nominations for the Still Spirit Awards until March 3. Nominees should have helped the community grow and prosper through their civic, professional and/or volunteer activities. The winners will be announced April 4.