Vol. 13, No. 5 - Sept. 23, 2008

After the fourth week of Truman’s United Way campaign, the faculty, staff and students have contributed more than $39,000, which means the University has met 71 percent of the goal.

Campaign co-chairs Brad Chambers and Debra Kerby said they are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this year’s campaign, and welcome those who prefer to make a donation at the end of the month.

They also wanted to remind people of the remarkable things that can be accomplished through each contribution.
For example: Less than $1 per week provides swimming lessons for a child who cannot afford them, or a food basket for a family; less than $2 per week buys pain medication for a terminally ill cancer patient; less than $5 per week covers the cost of 102 meals for frail and disabled homebound clients; less than $10 per week provides a manikin to teach CPR to many of the 80,000 residents in our area; and less than $25 per week offers six nights in a safehouse for a family of four.

If you have questions, or need a replacement pledge form, contact Chambers at bchamber@truman.edu or Kerby at dkerby@truman.edu.

The Department of English and Linguistics and the Green Hills Literacy Lantern are bringing Steven Wingate, a professor at the University of Colorado and author of the award-winning collection of short stories, “Wifeshopping,” to campus Sept. 25-26.

Wingate will lead a fiction writing workshop, open to all interested writers, from 4:30-6 p.m. Sept. 25 in Baldwin Hall 251.

Later that evening, he will read from his debut collection of short stories, “Wifeshopping,” at 8:30 p.m. in Violette Hall 1010.

The following day, Wingate will have a presentation on writing and publishing fiction from 4:30-6 p.m. Sept. 26 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

Wingate teaches fiction writing at the University of Colorado. His stories have appeared in numerous literary journals including the Mississippi Review, Gulf Coast, The Journal and Green Hills Literacy Lantern. Wingate’s “Wifeshopping” was the winner of the 2007 Bakeless Prize in fiction sponsored by the Breadloaf Writing Conference.

For more information, please contact Joe Benevento at jbeneven@truman.edu.

The Truman in Washington Program will host “Exploring D.C. Internships and Careers: Truman Alumni Talk” at 4 p.m. Oct. 3 in Baldwin Hall 303. Truman alumni will be speaking to prospective students about Washington D.C., internships and careers.

Students of all majors may attend this panel discussion to get information on the Truman in Washington Program and the internships that are offered.

The Truman in Washington Program is affiliated with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. To be eligible for the Truman in Washington Program, students must have a 3.25 grade point average. Selection for the program is competitive, with the University sponsoring only five students to participate during each summer semester. The annual program awards participants credit hours for their internship work and independent study project.

For more information about the Truman in Washington Program, please contact Diane Johnson at djohnson@truman.edu or 785.7852.

The new Staged Reading course offers a mechanism for bringing theatre into classrooms across campus, while giving students the opportunity to work on a performance style that is being used more frequently.

In addition to four play-readings throughout the semester, actors from the Staged Reading course are performing 3-5 minute scenes in other classrooms.

Instructors interested in having a performance occur in their class can contact Dana Smith, associate professor of theatre, at dasmith@truman.edu. Also, instructors with any suggestions of titles that might enhance their courses, either as classroom scenes or full staged readings, should contact
Smith so they may be incorporated in the spring semester if the Staged Reading course is offered again.

“A Doll’s House,” which was performed Sept. 19, was the first staged reading performance of the semester. Other performances include “West Moon Street” Oct. 17, “Chamber Music” Nov. 14, and “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” Dec. 5. For more information, contact Smith or College of Arts and Sciences Secretary Diane Moore at 785.4417.

In an effort to increase student involvement in athletic events, promotional activities are being included in upcoming contests.

Starting with the women’s volleyball match Sept. 24, Pagliai’s Pizza will sponsor a competition where students have the opportunity to serve the ball. If they hit a pizza box they win a prize.

The volleyball match will take place at 7 p.m. in the Kirksville Primary School. All subsequent home games, starting Oct. 11, will be played in Pershing Arena.

The men’s soccer game at 4 p.m. Sept. 26 is designated as a ResLife Game, where various resident halls will be acknowledged and are encouraged to show their pride. In addition, there will be an interactive event at halftime where members of the various dorms will be selected to compete for prizes. All students are encouraged to come to support the team and have a chance to compete at halftime.

The Truman State University Board of Governors Chair Mark Wasinger announced on Tuesday Sept. 16 that the Board had accepted the resignation of University President Barbara Dixon, effective at the close of business Oct. 15, 2008. The Board and the president have been in conversation for the past three months regarding the goals and expectations for the future and recently concluded that it is unlikely they would arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement.

“Our talks have been professional and friendly, but given our differences, I believe at this point that it is in everyone’s best interest that I step down from my position,” Dixon said. “I recognize the timing is not optimal, but appreciate the Board’s consideration in accepting my resignation at this time.”

In accepting the resignation of Dixon, Wasinger noted: “President Dixon has accomplished a great deal during her tenure as University President for which we are grateful. Under her guidance and leadership, the University has shown significant progress in many areas. She has demonstrated courage and perseverance in discharging her duties as President of Truman State University.”

Areas in which the University has shown significant progress are facilities improvement, advancement/fundraising including launching the first comprehensive campaign, academic reorganization that established academic departments with faculty chairs, enhancement of faculty salaries, and several outstanding hires of senior administrative staff. Other areas where Dixon has made an impact include the creation of a Staff Council, and most recently the development of a classification/compensation system for all non-faculty positions that will provide better market equity and promotional opportunities for staff.

In her five years at Truman, Dixon has been selected by her colleagues to serve in several leadership positions including president of Missouri Council on Public Higher Education from 2005-2007, president of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges from 2005-2007, and currently as an at-large member of the NCAA Division II President’s Council.

On Friday, Sept. 19 Wasinger announced the Board had appointed Darrell Krueger to serve as the interim president of Truman. Krueger will begin his duties on Oct. 16.

Krueger served as the 13th president of Winona State University from 1989-2005. During his tenure as president he was nationally recognized for his work in outcomes assessment. Under his leadership, Winona State University became one of the most technologically advanced universities in the nation with one of the largest laptop university programs supporting more than 8,000 laptop computers across campus.

Prior to his arrival in Winona, Krueger served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of instruction at Truman State University for 16 years. Before he received that appointment he was an assistant professor of political science for two years.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with such a wealth of higher education experience and a person who knows our University so well,” Wasinger said.

“It is a great honor to be asked by the Board to serve as Truman’s interim president,” Krueger said. “I am thrilled to be returning to a University and community that my family and I love. I look forward to working with the campus community to continue to move the University forward.”

Activity: MLB Playoff Pick'em
Division: Open
Deadline: Oct. 3
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Oct. 3

Activity: Frisbee Golf
Division: Open
Deadline: Sept. 29-Oct. 3
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Play on own

Activity: Darts
Division: Open
Deadline: Oct. 6
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Oct. 13

Activity: Indoor Soccer
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Oct. 6
Captain's Meeting: Oct. 8
Play Begins: Oct. 13

Activity: Co-Rec Indoor Soccer
Division: Open
Deadline: Oct. 6
Captain's Meeting: Oct. 8
Play Begins: Oct. 13

Activity: Billiards
Division: Open
Deadline: Oct. 13
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Oct. 20

Activity: Table Tennis
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Oct. 27
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Nov. 1

Activity: Basketball Pentatholon
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Nov. 3
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Nov. 10

Activity: Texas Hold'em
Division: Open
Deadline: Nov. 3
Captain's Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Nov. 10

Activity: 3 on 3
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Nov. 10
Captain's Meeting: Nov. 13
Play Begins: Nov. 17

All information, rules and registration requirements are online at http://recreation.truman.edu/intramuralrec.asp, or contact the Intramural Office at 785.4467.

Masahiro Hara, associate professor of Japanese, presented a poster titled “Evidence for L2 Syntactic Gap Processing” at the Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition North America 3, at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Sept. 4. The paper will appear in the online conference proceedings.

Sana Camara, associate professor of French, published a second book on Senegalese-Wolof poetry titled “Serin Muusaa Ka: Melokaani Royteef,” which translates in English to “Serigne Moussa Ka: The Characterisitics of a Role Model.” The book was published by Editions Papyrus Afriques in Dakar, Senegal.

Helen Pham, a sophomore business and finance double major from Ballwin, Mo., was featured in a full-page story with photo in this month’s issue of Forum Magazine, a written publication of Phi Kappa Phi. Pham received a study abroad grant from Phi Kappa Phi last summer which she used to spend five weeks in China learning the language and traveling.

Sigma Lambda Gamma presents “Auction Block to Hip Hop,” a Broadway musical, at 8 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Student Union Building 2107. This event is free and is co-sponsored by the Funds Allotment Council, New Student Programs, Residence Life, College of Arts and Sciences, Departments of Language and Literature and the Department of History.

The Weekly Lunch Series will continue the Fall Critical Thinking emphasis with another publication from the Critical Thinking Foundation, “Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools” at 12:30 Sept. 24 in the Student Union Building Spanish Room. Participants may receive $3.50 towards their next Sodexho meal simply by signing the attendance sheet at any of the Union checkout counters. All faculty, GTRAs and teaching staff are welcome to attend.

The Physics Colloquium presents speaker Michael Ogilvie, a physics professor from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in Magruder Hall 1000.  Ogilvie will provide an introductory level presentation titled “Are There More Than Four Dimensions?” For more information, please visit http://physics.truman.edu/colloquia/mainstage.asp.

PRISM and the Funds Allotment Council presents speaker Eric Alva, Marine Staff Sergeant, at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. Alva will be speaking out against “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” the military’s policy banning gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from serving in our armed forces.

The Truman in Washington Program will host a welcome back event at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the University Club. The achievements of Truman interns will be celebrated, and information on finding an internship will be provided. For more information please contact Erica Foster at ecf859@truman.edu.

The Dean of Student Affairs Office has applications for the 2008-2009 “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award” available for students. Faculty and staff may also nominate students for this prestigious award. Nominations are due by Sept. 26. Completed student applications need to be returned to the Student Affairs Office, located in the Student Union Building 3100, by Oct. 17. For more information visit http://saffairs.truman.edu or call 785.4111.

Truman’s Equestrian Team will host the first IHSA western horse show of the season at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 and 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at the University Farm. Concession stand available and all are welcome to watch, but please bring lawn chairs.

Phi Sigma Pi, a national coed honor fraternity, will host an All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Dinner from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Missouri Hall Chariton Room. Tickets cost $3 and include beverages, pasta and bread. Limited food is available so arrive early. Part of the proceeds will go towards Phi Sigma Pi’s national philanthropy, Teach for America. Tickets may be purchased at the door or contact Carrie Ostrowski at cjo448@truman.edu for tickets or more information.

The Career Center will host “We Know What You Did Last Summer… Internship Reflections 2008” from 1-2 p.m. Sept. 29 and from 5-6 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Career Center. Free pizza and door prizes will be provided. All majors are welcome. For more information or to sign up for the event, e-mail Elizabeth Bauer, Career Coordinator, at ebauer@truman.edu. Limited seating is available so contact the Career Center soon.

University Counseling Services announces National Depression Screening Day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. The staff will provide free screenings for depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders and PTSD.

Phi Kappa Phi will have its annual fall lunch meeting at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room B. A short business meeting will take place at 11:45 a.m. to celebrate accomplishments from last year and discuss plans for the coming year. Please RSVP to Alan
Garvey at agarvey@truman.edu.

The Bulldog football team is selling “dog tags” for $10. Dog tag holders are entitled to discounts at several area businesses. For more information contact Shannon Currier at 785.4252.

SEMA and FEMA are asking homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred between June 1-Aug. 13, to apply for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or online at http://www.fema.org. 

The Center for Student Involvement is looking for Truman faculty or staff who would be interested in being advisers for student organizations. If interested, please contact the CSI at 785.4222.

The 2008 Homecoming Committee has added events specifically to allow faculty and staff to be more involved with Homecoming.  As an integral part of the campus environment, it is important for all faculty and staff to be as involved as possible during this spirited week. If you have any questions, please direct them to homecoming@truman.edu, or check out the web page, http://homecoming.truman.edu.