Vol. 25 No. 8 - October 5, 2020

Although football season has been pushed back to the spring, Truman is partaking in a virtual homecoming competition with a conference rival to help two local organizations.

The “Top Dog Challenge,” a fundraising competition with the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis, will take place Oct. 5-23. The GLVC foes will each be soliciting donations for the nonprofit organization of their choice. Truman has selected the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, as well as the Adair County Humane Society. All donations made on Truman’s behalf will go to support those organizations.

The competition will be judged on two factors: the school with the most donations, and school that raises the most money. A donate button will be available soon at homecoming.truman.edu or gifts can be made by contacting the Office of Advancement at 800.452.6678. T-shirts will be available soon, with proceeds benefiting the food bank and humane society.

Truman’s Rho Rho Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, was named an “Honor Chapter” for its outstanding activities in 2019-20.

This marks the 27th consecutive year the Truman organization has earned this prestigious distinction, which represents the longest continuous “Honor Chapter”-run in the 100-year-history of Sigma Delta Pi. Stacy Bryant, assistant professor of Spanish and Rho Rho’s chapter adviser in 2019-20, was instrumental in earning this national honor that was awarded to only 11 chapters nationwide.  

Each summer, the 627 chapters of Sigma Delta Pi nationwide are asked to submit an annual report detailing their numerous activities and projects from the academic year. Based on these reports, the National Executive Committee chooses approximately 10-15 “Honor Chapters” annually. This recognition is based upon the caliber of chapter projects that reflect the Sigma Delta Pi mission of honoring excellence in the study of the Spanish language, contributing to cultural understanding and upholding the goals of the society.

With its national office at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the nation’s only certifying agency for college and university honor societies.

A new exhibit showcasing African wax print cloth will be on display at the University Art Gallery, Oct. 6-Nov. 13.

Through an array of wax print fabrics and dresses, “Wandering Spirit: African Wax Prints” explores the historical development and contemporary social significance of African wax print cloth. This fabric’s origins lie in the global networks of European colonialism. When Dutch merchants in the 19th century created an industrial printing process to mimic Javanese batik, they found it sold well in African markets. Today African wax prints, often designed by West African artists, integrate folklore and politics into the fabric designs, and the fabric is embraced in West Africa to represent social and ethnic identity.

A curator talk on African wax print cloth, with guest Dr. Gifty Benson, will take place from 5-6 p.m. Oct. 9 via Zoom. There will also be a two-day batik workshop with the Fibers Club and Danielle Yakle, assistant professor of art, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. For more information and how to register for these events visit gallery.arttruman.com.

Visitors to the gallery are required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth and asked to maintain six-foot social distancing. Capacity for the gallery is set at 12 visitors. Faculty who would like to bring larger classes (up to 25) may do so, but need to contact hcook@truman.edu to reserve the space. Visitors will be required to provide contact information in case contact tracing is necessary.

From 7-10 p.m. Oct. 5-8, positive messages from students, employees, alumni, parents and friends of the University will be projected on the north side of the clock tower.

“Build Up Bulldogs” is a way for anyone to publicly share a positive, uplifting message. Words of encouragement can be shared by tagging @TrumanState on Facebook or by using the hashtag #BuildUpBulldogs on Instagram and Twitter. Messages can also be submitted online here.

Messages can also be found on Truman’s social media wall, available at social.truman.edu.

In their analysis of the Truman case numbers for the week of Sept. 29, the Faculty Senate COVID-19 Working Group, composed of Nancy Daley-Moore, Scott Alberts and Christine Harker, discuss the University’s success relative to the greater Kirksville community. While Truman saw a decline in the total number of active cases for the third week in a row, cases in Kirksville have been on the rise. Students and employees should continue to wear masks, avoid crowds and beware of their behavior when off campus so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Click here to view a recording of their conversation.

Click here to watch the livestream.

In conjunction with National Coming Out Day, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, SAB and Student Government are sponsoring a number of events.

Starting at 3 p.m. Oct. 7 on the quad, SAB will offer rainbow T-shirt designs. At this socially distant event, participants can make a shirt for Truman’s first special edition of Purple Friday – Rainbow Friday.

From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 9 on the quad there will be a table with stickers and where participants can share their story about coming out.

Associate Senators
Student Government continues to seek associate senators to serve on the following committees: Academic Affairs; Student Affairs; External Affairs; Environmental Affairs; Health, Wellness and Safety; Diversity; and Purple Fridays. Associate senators work exclusively with their committee to accomplish projects they are passionate about. Apply here.

Appropriations
Student Government is seeking a student-at-large to serve on the Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee allocates funds from the Activities Fee to student organizations and individuals for events and projects which serve the Truman campus as a whole. Apply here.

New Positions
Student Government has recently created several non-elected positions to represent and serve different groups on campus. Applicants are wanted for a Black student representative, a Disability Rights Advocate and a Greek student representative.

For questions about any of the above positions, contact Katie Alexander, Student Government president, at kga5644@truman.edu.

Flu vaccines for current Truman employees will be offered beginning at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 9 at a drive-thru clinic hosted jointly with A.T. Still University. The clinic will be located in the parking lot across the street from the General Services Building, on the southwest corner of Patterson and Franklin streets. Employees will enter the parking lot on Patterson Street and exit onto Franklin Street. The clinic will run until 5 p.m. or until the supply of vaccines is exhausted. The vaccine is preservative-free and quadrivalent; no high-dose vaccines will be available. Due to limited supplies, this clinic is only open to current Truman employees. More details – including a form that must be completed – will be sent out in an email to all employees prior to the event. Face coverings and a Truman ID will be required.
 
Truman students are able to receive a flu vaccination at the Student Health Center. Go to studenthealth.truman.edu or call 660.785.4182 for more information.

Drawstring packs of food are now available for Truman students experiencing food insecurity. Any student limiting their food intake due to cost is eligible to receive a pack. This semester, food packs will be slightly larger than in the past, and will offer students more food options from which to choose.

Packs can be picked up with a Truman ID at the SERVE Center located in Student Union Building 1105 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Food is provided by Pantry for Adair County in partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, and from generous donations from the Truman community.

Consultants will be available Mondays from 10-11 a.m. and from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 2-3 p.m., and Thursdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Online office hours are available on Zoom here or by entering the meeting ID: 929 2221 2142. More information is available at case.truman.edu. To make an appointment outside of the regular office hours email case@truman.edu.

Applications are now being received for summer internships at the following locations in Missouri:
 

• Independence: Harry Truman Presidential Library (full-time, 9 credits)
• Kansas City: National World War I Museum (part-time, 3 credits)
• Kirksville: Judicial Archives Project (part-time, 3 credits)
• St. Joseph: St. Joseph Museums (part-time, 3 credits)
• St. Louis: Field House Museum (part-time, 3 credits), Missouri History Museum (part-time, 3 credits), Mercantile Library (part-time, 3 credits)
• Springfield: MSU Special Collections and Archive (part-time, 3 credits)

 
The summer internships are open to all Truman students, but they are especially relevant for those considering careers in archives, museums, teaching, and law.
 
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until all positions are filled.
 
To find out what the internships entail and how to apply, direct enquiries to: Jason McDonald, Baldwin Hall 226, 660.785.7575, jasonmcd@truman.edu.