Vol. 13, No. 15 - Dec. 9, 2008

Features

  • Stein To Give Commencement Address

    Robert Stein, Missouri’s Commissioner of Higher Education, will be the speaker for the 2008 December Commencement ceremony. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 in Pershing Arena.

    Stein has held his current position for the past two years, and for 20 years before that he worked with the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE).
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    Robert Stein

    Prior to joining the MDHE, Stein served in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Northern Colorado, including department chair, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.

    He is professor emeritus from the University of Northern Colorado and is actively involved in local, state and national groups championing the benefits of higher education, providing leadership in Missouri for the development of state policies, and promoting initiatives designed to improve student learning and success in postsecondary education.

    Stein received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and philosophy from Beloit College in 1964 and went on to earn his master’s and Ph.D. in sociology from Vanderbilt University.

  • Spring 2009 Missouri Government Interns

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    The Spring 2009 Missouri Government Interns pose for a picture in the HUB of the Student Union Building. Each intern will spend the semester in Jefferson City, Mo., earning up to 15 hours of college credit while working with either a legislator, public official or state agency. Pictured (front row, left to right): Ashley Reinhardt, Chris Graham, Megan Fluker, Amber Lusk, Kailey Burger, Claire Cook, Korey Lewis. Second row: Candy Young, professor of political science and internship coordinator, Makita Abraham, Phillip Raine, Nathan Atkinson, Mark Kendrick, Greg Goodwin, Walter Stokely and President Darrell Krueger. Not pictured, Ryan Rosebrough, Clark Poland and Kristina Laughlin.
  • Students Encouraged to Submit Projects for Student Research Conference Next Spring

    Students are encouraged to submit their research projects for the 22nd annual Student Research Conference, which will take place April 7, 2009.

    The conference celebrates students’ research, scholarship and creative achievement in all disciplines. Students in all departments are invited and encouraged to present their scholarly or creative work.

    Students who want to present their research should prepare an abstract, which they will submit online at http://src.truman.edu. The submission site will be open at the beginning of the spring semester and the deadline for submitting abstracts is Feb. 6.

    Along with the many student presentations, the day will feature a conference-wide plenary address delivered by Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University of Cairo and a world-renowned expert in mummies, both human and animal.

    Scheduled classes will not formally meet during the day of the conference, thereby providing the opportunity for all students and faculty members to attend and fully participate.

    In addition to the Student Research Conference, Truman has a long tradition of providing grants for independent undergraduate research. The grants provide students with $2,000 to pursue investigative, creative and scholarly activities over the summer.

    More than 40 undergraduate research stipends are available to students in any year in all departments, but in order to receive a stipend, students are required to present at the Student Research Conference the year following their research.

    Grant projects should be original and promote independent work by the student.

    The deadline to apply for stipends for the 2009 summer program is Feb. 6. Guidelines for application are available at http://research.truman.edu/Student%20Research%20Grant%20Guidelines2009.pdf.

    For more information about the Student Research Conference or the undergraduate research stipends, please contact Sara Orel, professor of art history, at orel@truman.edu or 785.4419.

  • Phi Kappa Phi Head Start Supply Drive a Success

    The Truman chapter of Phi Kappa Phi organized an educational supplies drive for nine Head Start centers in need in the surrounding community.

    Head Start provides early childhood education programs and family and child development activities for children who meet the eligibility requirements. While the Centers do receive financial support from both federal and state sources, the level of funding has stayed the same for several years while the cost of supplies has continued to increase.

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    Pictured (left to right): Rebecca Rollins, Head Start director; Greg Xander, quality control content area manager for NMCAA; Teresa Heckert, faculty/staff vice president, Truman Phi Kappa Phi; and K. Lee Raby, student vice president, Truman Phi Kappa Phi.


    Phi Kappa Phi collected more than 600 packages of supplies, for a total exceeding 21,600 items, and more than $65 in cash donations for the nine Head Start centers, which serve five counties in northeast Missouri.

    Mary Lee Bailey, Head Start director of family and community development, said the drive impacted positively, “the quality of life of 252 area children during the most formative period of their lives.”  

    The drive was organized by Phi Kappa Phi student vice president K. Lee Raby and faculty/staff vice president Teresa Heckert.

  • Truman in Washington Program Offers Several Summer 2009 Internship Opportunities

    The Washington Center (TWC) for Internships and Academic Seminars is offering several internship opportunities for the summer of 2009.

    Students are encouraged to apply for the Summer 2009 Department of Defense (DoD) Internship Program as well as summer internships in Washington, D.C., London, Oxford, Quebec City or Sydney. To be eligible for any of the internships applicants must be a junior or senior with a GPA of at least 3.0. All majors are welcome for the internships in Washington, D.C., or abroad, while business, economics, computer science and mathematics/statistics majors are encouraged to apply for the DoD internship program.

    The DoD internship program is a highly competitive, full-time internship program. Students will receive a weekly stipend over the 10-week summer term. If students choose to receive academic credit through Truman, they are required to complete additional academic requirements. The deadline for the DoD internship application is Jan. 15.

    For the internships in Washington, D.C., and abroad, a pre-application process is conducted at Truman and the deadline for submitting application forms and letters of recommendation is Jan. 23. If the Truman advisory board determines the applicant eligible to participate in the program, a completed application must be submitted to TWC by Feb. 2 to ensure the participant is able to compete for financial assistance from TWC.

    To begin the application process, students should contact Diane Johnson at djohnson@truman.edu or 785.7852 before Dec. 12 for the DoD internship and before Jan. 15 for the Washington, D.C., and abroad internships.

    The Truman in Washington Program offers assistance to all students who wish to pursue non-credit opportunities in Washington, D.C.

  • Winners Announced for YouTube Competition

    The School of Business and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) recently announced the winners of the Go Green YouTube competition that took place during Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 17-21.

    Sophomores Erika Halsey and Colleen McCarthy won first place and the cash prize of $750. Seniors Kyle Schemmer, Seth Howdeshell, Christopher Hassett, Brianna Wagner, Mike Merritt and sophomore Andrew Simpson took second place and won $500. Junior Dan Heagney came in third and took home $250.

    In this competition, participants were asked to create an effective, creative and persuasive video that motivates and encourages others to take part in environmentally sustainable practices. The video also had to be centered around the Go Green theme.

    Videos were uploaded to YouTube by Nov. 17 and judged on Nov. 21.

  • Scholarship Opportunities

    Full-time juniors and seniors are invited to enter The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest and compete for $10,000 in prizes. Students are required to have a professor review his or her essay and sign the Contest Entry Form. Deadline to enter the contest is Dec. 19. For further information and required forms, please visit their website at http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org.

    Truman State University Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship Applications are now available
    in the Center for International Education (CIE) office in Kirk Building 114. Ten $1,500 scholarships will be awarded for summer 2009 faculty-led Truman study abroad programs based on financial need, statement of purpose and academic achievement. Applications are due in the CIE office by 12 p.m. Jan. 23, 2009 and recipients will be notified by the end of February.

Announcements

  • 2008 Senior Pizza Party

    Attention December Graduates

    The Truman Alumni Association, Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter and the Office of Advancement will host the

    2008 Senior
    Pizza Party


    11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
    Dec. 10 (Reading Day)
    Student Union Building
    Alumni Room

    Free pizza, drinks and dessert will be available. Students will also receive their free alumni gift, t-shirt and alumni information.

    If students cannot attend the pizza party, they can pick up their alumni gifts and information in McClain Hall 100.

    Students can win door prizes such as watches, duffle bags, sweatshirts and long sleeve t-shirts.
  • Faculty and Staff Holiday Open House

    President and Mrs. Darrell W. Krueger will host the

    Faculty and Staff Holiday Open House

    2-5 p.m. Dec. 10
    University Residence
    706 South Halliburton

  • Student Recreation Center Special Hours

    Finals Week
    Dec. 8-10        9 a.m.-11 p.m.
    Dec. 11-12      9 a.m.-7 p.m.

    Winter Interim
    Dec. 13-14      closed
    Dec. 15-19      11 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Dec. 20-21      closed
    Dec. 22-23      11 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Dec. 24-Jan. 4  closed
    Jan. 5-9            11 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Jan. 10            closed
    Jan. 11            11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Retirement Reception for Judy Alexander

    You’re Invited

    Retirement Reception for Judy Alexander

    2-3 p.m.
    Dec. 17
    West Campus Suites Lounge

    Judy is retiring after more than 17 years with the University.
  • MLK Jr. Unity Luncheon

    Mark Your Calendar

    MLK Jr. Unity Luncheon

    11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 21
    Student Union Building
    Georgian Room
  • USA Today All-USA College Academic First Team

    The USA TODAY is now accepting nominations from school officials for the 2009 USA TODAY All-USA College Academic Team.

    Students must be full-time juniors or seniors.

    Top 20 students will be featured in USA TODAY in March and will receive a cash award of $2,500.

    To nominate, visit https://www.all-usanomination.com before Dec. 12.
  • Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

    Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State.

    Deadline for the fellowship is Feb. 6, 2009.

    For more information go to http://www.woodrow.org/.
  • Student Interview Project Seeks Faculty and Staff Interviewers

    This year’s project will interview 100 undergraduates to address the overall quality of life of Truman students.

    Faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for one or more time slots to interview students:

    Feb. 9 and 16: 9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., or 9-11 a.m.
    Feb. 3 and 10: 9-10 a.m.
    Feb. 4 and 11: 3-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m., or 3-5 p.m.
    Feb. 5 and 12: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

    If interested, please contact Jeffrey Vittengl at vittengl@truman.edu or 785.6041.
  • Applications Being Accepted for Molecular Ecology Research for 2009

    Students can apply for this 10-week program online at http://molecularecology.truman.edu.

    Students will be conducting research in Kirksville and
    Albuquerque, N.M., and will
    receive a $3,500 stipend, three credit hours and room and board.

    For questions about the program contact Jennifer Thompson at 785.7252 or step@truman.edu.
  • Student Adviser Applications Due Jan. 23

    Students who are interested in being student advisers for the 2009-2010 school year should apply online at http://reslife.truman.edu by 5 p.m. Jan. 23.
  • Pickler Memorial Library

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    SPECIAL HOURS

    Dec. 8-11    7 a.m.-2 a.m.
    Dec. 12       7 a.m.-6 p.m.
    Dec. 13       10 a.m.-2 p.m.

    December Interim:
    Dec. 15 - Jan. 9     8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

    Closed:
    Dec. 14, 20-21, 24-28
    Jan.1-4 and 10-11
  • Truman Intramural Recreational Sports Planner

    Activity: Co-Rec Basketball
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 20
    Captain's Meeting: Jan, 22
    Play Begins: Jan. 26

    Activity: Basketball
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Jan. 20
    Captain's Meeting: Jan. 22
    Play Begins: Jan. 26

    Activity: Badminton
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 26
    Captain's Meeting: Jan. 29
    Play Begins: Jan. 31 & Feb. 7

    Activity: Racquetball-Singles
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Jan. 26
    Captain's Meeting: Jan. 29
    Play Begins: Feb. 2

    Activity: Super Bowl Pickem
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Jan. 30
    Captain's Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: Feb. 1

    Activity: Racquetball-Doubles
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Feb. 9
    Captain's Meeting: Feb. 16
    Play Begins: Feb. 2

    Activity: Taboo
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Feb. 16
    Captain's Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: Feb. 22

    Activity: Cranium
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Feb. 23
    Captain's Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: Mar. 1

    Activity: Volleyball
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Feb. 23
    Captain's Meeting: Mar. 4
    Play Begins: Mar. 16

    Activity: Co-Rec Volleyball
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Feb. 23
    Captain's Meeting: Mar. 4
    Play Begins: Mar. 16

    Activity: Bowling*
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Mar. 2
    Captain's Meeting: Mar. 4
    Play Begins: Mar. 16

    Activity: Closest to the Pin
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Mar. 2
    Captain's Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: TBA

    Activity: Outdoor Soccer
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Mar. 18
    Captain's Meeting: Mar. 19
    Play Begins: Mar. 23

    Activity: Sports Trivia
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Mar. 23
    Captain's Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: Mar. 29

    Activity: Ultimate Frisbee
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Apr. 6
    Captain's Meeting: Apr. 9
    Play Begins: Apr. 11-12

    Activity: Punt, Pass & Kick
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 14
    Captain's Meeting: Apr. 16
    Play Begins: Apr. 22

    Activity: Swim Meet
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 14
    Captain's Meeting: Apr. 16
    Play Begins: Apr. 23

    Activity: Bench Press
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 20
    Captain's Meeting: Apr. 23
    Play Begins: Apr. 28

    Activity: Track Meet
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Apr. 20
    Captain's Meeting: Apr. 23
    Play Begins: Apr. 30

    Activity: Mud Fest
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Apr. 27
    Captain's Meeting: Apr. 30
    Play Begins: May 2

    Activity: T-shirt Design Contest
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Apr. 30
    Captain's Meeting: NA
    Play Begins: NA

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

Notables

  • Notables

    Ralph Cupelli, assistant to the provost and vice president for academic affairs, received the Edgar Ewing Brandon Outstanding Adviser Award for 2007-2008 from Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Cupelli, adviser to the Truman Phi Kappa Tau chapter, is the only adviser in the history of the fraternity to receive the national award twice.

Notes

  • Notes

    USMED will sponsor a Holiday Bellydance Show at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Down Under of the Student Union Building. Tickets are $1.

    The Truman Bookstore presents Faculty Staff Appreciation Days Dec. 15-16. Faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by the bookstore for specials. Also, new publications by faculty, including “Dieppe Crossing” by Betty McLane-Iles, “American Ethnic History” by Jason McDonald and “Plutonic Sonnets” by Robert Graber, will be showcased and book signings will take place from 1-2 p.m. Dec. 16. Call 785.4211 to reserve copies.

    The Center for Teaching and Learning will host Tips for the Peer Review of Teaching
    at 1 p.m. Dec. 18 in Pickler Memorial Library 205. Suitable for department chairs only. How to conduct a peer review of live teaching performance and how to peer review syllabi will be addressed.

    The French Government is seeking applicants ages 20-30 to work as teaching assistants in English at secondary public schools in France. Applications will be accepted in Washington, D.C., until late January in 2009. Details are online at http://www.frenchculture.org, under the education menu. Contact Gregg Siewert, professor of French, at gsiewert@truman.edu for more information.

    The Center for Teaching and Learning will host the Promotion and Tenure Portfolio Blitz
    from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 6-7, 2009 in Pickler Memorial Library 205. Suitable for all faculty and instructional staff undergoing promotion, tenure review, or formative review processes. Register for both days at http://tctl.truman.edu/register and visit http://tctl.truman.edu/facultySupport/Programs/Winter2009PromTenBlitz.htm for more information.

    The Student Activities Board presents Tuesday Night Trivia Series, A Lovely Night for Trivia,
    at 7 p.m. Feb. 10, 2009 in the Student Union Building Down Under. Free food and drinks will be provided and prizes will be awarded to the first place winner.

    Students have an opportunity to spend two weeks in Hong Kong and Shuizhai in a professional exchange setting
    during the May 2009 Interim or spend a semester abroad in Shuizhai assisting English teachers. For details e-mail Janice Grow at jgrow@truman.edu.

    Due to the winter break, this will be the last Truman Today of the semester.
    The Truman Today will resume the week of Jan. 12.