Vol. 15, No. 23 - March 1, 2011

The Kohlenberg Lyceum Series resumes at 7:30 p.m. March 3 in Baldwin Auditorium with a performance of “Bus Stop” by the Montana Repertory Theatre.

In this warm and affecting hit comedy, William Inge examines some of the many faces of love. As down-home characters interact in a street corner restaurant during the course of a hilariously turbulent night, extraordinary qualities are revealed in seemingly ordinary people. Frustration, tears and laughter result as characters are forced to confront their own motivation. Romance blossoms and love banishes loneliness.


Tickets are free for students, faculty and staff. Students may pick up their tickets at the Student Activities Board Office in the Student Union Building. Faculty and staff may acquire their tickets at the information desk in the Student Union Building.

General admission tickets for the event cost $7 for all ages and are available at the Truman Cashier’s Window in McClain Hall or downtown at Edna Campbells. For additional information, visit http://lyceum.truman.edu or contact 785.4016.

The 2011 Faculty and Staff Campaign kicked off Feb. 28 under the direction of co-chairs Royce Kallerud, professor of English, and Melody Chambers, director of admissions. The goals for this year’s campaign are $150,000 in gift support and a faculty and staff participation rate of 62 percent.

As the successful completion of Truman’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, Bright Minds Bright Futures, draws near, the outstanding support of faculty and staff is being celebrated. To date, Truman faculty and staff have committed $1.3 million of the $27.7 million received for this campaign. Any gift to the Faculty and Staff Campaign before June 30 will count towards the Bright Minds Bright Futures goal of $30 million.

Last year, 60 percent of Truman faculty and staff supported Bright Minds Bright Futures through the annual Faculty and Staff Campaign, which raised more than $142,000.

“I support Truman’s Faculty and Staff Campaign because it is essential that we work together to preserve and advance the high quality, personalized Truman Experience,” co-chair Chambers said.

Faculty and staff may designate their gifts to any of the Truman State University Foundation’s 575 accounts or may direct their gift to the Truman Fund for Excellence, the area of greatest need. Many employees find payroll deduction to be an easy and affordable means of showing support for students and the University’s mission. Employees are encouraged to “go green” and make an online gift at http://isupport.truman.edu and to explore the various options available.

Several prize packages are being offered to encourage faculty and staff support. Two reserved parking spots (one for faculty and one for staff), St. Louis Cardinals tickets and a Truman apparel package will be awarded after April 22.

For more information about the campaign, go to http://isupport.truman.edu.

Truman’s Information Technology Services (ITS) is rolling out a new system to make it easier for student organizations to maintain their websites.

Because of constant membership turnover and frequently a lack of members with web programming skills, organizations often run into technical issues with keeping their Truman-provided webspace fresh and up-to-date year after year. In response, ITS has been testing a central content management system (CMS) called Wordpress.

Wordpress provides an easy-to-use, point-and-click interface for managing sites and users. Organizations can download free templates, set-up menus or pages and posts with no special software or programming skills needed. There are also thousands of free plug-ins to easily add other features, such as photo galleries and calendars. In addition, organizations can manage their own access permissions.

Best of all, because it is accessed through a web browser, Wordpress will work from any computer, on campus or at home, with no special software or operating system required. Truman’s Wordpress is centrally managed, so groups will never have to worry about updating the software.

A number of organizations are already using Wordpress with great success.

Any interested groups can contact Todd Kuhns at todd@truman.edu.

Truman’s speech and debate team defended its title as Overall Team State Champions, winning the title for the second year in a row.
 
The 2011 Missouri Association of Forensic Activities State Championship took place Feb. 18-19 at Evangel University.

The debaters won four state champion titles, as well as numerous other awards, to earn the team second place in debate sweepstakes.

Senior Sarah Backhaus and freshman Myra Milam shared the state champion title in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the end of the final round. Backhaus also won the state champion speaking award in both Lincoln-Douglas and Parliamentary debate. Milam took the fourth place speaking award as well as the novice state champion speaking award in Lincoln-Douglas.

“Winning the state championship as a freshman is more than I ever could have hoped for,” Milam said. “I go to every tournament just hoping to learn more and to try to improve my skills [in debate], but making it to the final round with Sarah was truly an honor.”

Senior Dylan Clark took home a second place speaking award in Parliamentary debate. Clark and Backhaus advanced to quarterfinals in Lincoln-Douglas and also advanced to the quarterfinals of Parliamentary debate along with Milam and sophomore Jessica Petrie.

The individual events competitors won 16 awards—including two state champion titles—to earn the team third place in individual events sweepstakes. Petrie won the state championship in both extemporaneous speaking and informative speaking. She also took fourth place in oratory and sixth place in impromptu speaking.

Junior Andrew Grojean won second place in impromptu speaking and sixth place in oratory. Freshman A.J. Taula brought home second place in poetry interpretation, as well as third place in dramatic interpretation and the top novice award in both categories.

The freshman team of Taula and Arielle Long-Seabra took fourth place and the top novice award in dramatic duo. Long-Seabra also took fifth in prose interpretation, while freshman Sara Perkins took sixth place in extemporaneous speaking. 

“We are by no means the largest team—there are other programs in the state that have more debaters and speech competitors,” Kristi Scholten, director of forensics, said. “However, we proved this weekend that we have the most concentrated talent as well as a large number of promising first-year competitors.”

The team is now preparing for the National Championship Tournament in April. 

For questions about the team, contact Scholten at kscholten@truman.edu.

The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission is now accepting applications for the 2011 U.K. Summer Institutes.

Participants in these programs will get the opportunity to experience an exciting academic program at a highly regarded United Kingdom university; explore the culture, heritage and history of the United Kingdom; and develop their academic ability by improving presentation, research and communication skills.

Three summer programs are available for U.S. students in 2011: Fulbright Commission Newcastle University Summer Institute; the Fulbright Commission Roehampton University London Summer Institute; and the Fulbright Commission Wales Summer Institute.

The Summer Institute will cover the majority of participant costs. This includes round-trip airfare, tuition and fees at the University, accommodation and social program, subsistence and visa processing.

To qualify, applicants need to be a U.S. citizen and possess a U.S. passport; be at least 18 years old; have a high level of academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (confirmed by academic marks, awards and references); have completed no more than two years of university study; be mature, responsible, independent and open-minded; be willing and able to fully participate in an academically intensive program that includes attending all sessions, completing all assignments, contributing to classroom discussions and supporting student ambassador style work as required; have had little or no study or travel experience in the United Kingdom or elsewhere outside of the United States; be able to participate in the program in its entirety, and; expect to return to the United States and continue their undergraduate education. The program is open to students in all courses of study.

For more information and application forms, visit http://fulbright.co.uk/fulbright-awards/for-us-citizens/summer-institutes. The application deadline is April 15.

For specific questions, contact Laura McCaffrey, special programs coordinator at the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission, at laura@fulbright.co.uk or 44.0.20.7498.4017.

Truman is one of the nation’s 50 “Best Value” public colleges and universities according to The Princeton Review, which teamed with USA Today to present its list, “The Princeton Review Best Value Colleges for 2011.” Truman is the only Missouri public university listed.

The list features 100 schools in all—50 public and 50 private colleges and universities—and was released Feb. 22.

The Princeton Review chose the schools on its “Best Value Colleges for 2011” list based on criteria covering academics, cost of attendance and financial aid. The methodology examined more than 30 factors using data from the company’s surveys of administrators and students at 650 colleges with strong academic programs. Most of the data came from surveys conducted from Fall 2009 through Fall 2010; all cost and financial aid data came from Fall 2010 surveys.

USA Today’s site features a database that allows users to view in-depth details about the schools, including Truman, by clicking on an interactive map to explore criteria including cost of attendance and financial aid data, enrollment size, location and an analysis of why each school was chosen as a “Best Value” college.

The Truman Public Relations Office is accepting résumés for the Fall 2011 internship position. Interns can receive course credit and a stipend.

Communication majors are encouraged to apply with special consideration given to candidates with knowledge of AP style, experience in desktop publishing and familiarity with InDesign or similar software.

To apply, send two writing samples, a résumé and two on-campus references to the Public Relations Office in McClain Hall 101.
 
For more information, contact Heidi Templeton at heidi@truman.edu.

Bus will leave at 9 a.m. March 5 from the Department of Public Safety.

Shuttle costs $10 and money is due no later than March 3.

To make reservations, contact Joyce Mullins at joycecook@truman.edu or 785.4177.
        
Return: Bus will pick up students at approximately 8 p.m. March 13 in La Plata at the Amtrak station and return to the Department of Public Safety Building.

Applications are available at the Funds Allotment Council office on the lower level of the Student Union Building or can be found at http://fac.truman.edu.

Applications to apply for funding for Fall 2011 are due March 14.

Nominate students, organizations and advisers online at http://csi.truman.edu or pick up packets in the Center for Student Involvement Office in the Student Union Building. Nominations are due by 8 p.m. March 9.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provide scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Applications are now available for Fall 2011 and academic year 2011-12 with a program start date between August and November.

The online application is available at http://iie.org/en/programs/freeman-asia.
Deadline to apply is April 1.

Book Signing/Reading/Discussion
Authors:
Huping Ling
Jerrold Hirsch
2 p.m.
March 16
Student Union Building Down Under
Both authors will discuss their recent publications and answer questions about the writing experience.

Books for Spring 2011
Books for this semester, will only be available until mid-term break.

Summer and Fall 2011 Book Orders
Due by April 1
Place orders online at http://truman.bkstore.com, via e-mail at bkstrumanst@bncollege.com or by phone at 785.4211.

Truman State University Foundation Scholarship applications are now available. More than $275,000 will be awarded to current Truman students for the 2011-2012 academic year. Applications are available online and are due by midnight March 10. To learn more, go to http://truman.edu and click on Student Life/Money/Foundation Scholarships or visit https://secure.truman.edu/isupport-s.

The Missouri Insurance Education Foundation will award scholarships to students attending Missouri colleges or universities in a program that could lead to positions in the insurance industry in Missouri. The $2,500 C. Lawrence Leggett Scholarship will be awarded to a junior or senior Missouri resident majoring in insurance or a related area of study in a Missouri college or university. In addition to the Leggett Scholarship, the foundation has established an additional scholarship available in the amount of $2,000. Application forms are available online at http://mief.org and are due by March 31.

Alpha Delta Kappa, Sigma Chapter of Burlington, Iowa, is offering one $1,000 scholarship to Des Moines County undergraduates who will be majoring in education. The applicant must show qualities of leadership, demonstrate success in academics and be involved in extra curricular and/or community activities. While financial need will be considered, it will not necessarily be the primary qualification. For further information, stop by Truman’s Financial Aid Office, McClain Hall 103. Applications are due by April 3.

The Jack J. Isgur Foundation is accepting applications from students enrolled in the field of education in the humanities, such as literature, fine arts, music, art, poetry and dance. The Foundation awards scholarships to students studying at colleges and universities who indicate an interest in teaching courses in the above-described areas in school districts located in the state of Missouri, preferably rural school districts. The scholarship is available to those at the junior and senior levels, as well as graduate students. For further information or a scholarship application, stop by the Financial Aid Office, McClain Hall 103 or call 785.4130. Deadline for submission is May 1.

Are you interested in interning for the U.S. Department of Defense, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, Coast Guard or other selected government agencies? Then the Summer Competitive Government Program might be for you!
 
This highly competitive program especially encourages applications from students from business, mathematics, computer science, statistics and pre-engineering. The internship can be done for up to 11 hours of credit; the program and housing fees are covered through a stipend from the sponsoring agency.

The initial deadline for applications is March 11. For more information, contact Diane Johnson, liaison, Truman in Washington Program, at djohnson@truman.edu.
 

Activity: Volleyball
League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Mar. 1
Captains’ Meeting: Mar. 2
Play Begins: Mar. 14
 
Activity: Outdoor Soccer
League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Mar. 1
Captains’ Meeting: Mar. 2
Play Begins: Mar. 14
 
Activity: NCAA March Madness BB
League: Open
Division: Open
Deadline: Mar. 14
Captains’ Meeting: NA
Play Begins: Mar. 15
 
Activity: Closest to the Pin
League: Men's/Women's
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Mar. 29
Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
Play Begins: Apr. 3
 
Activity: Swim Meet
League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Apr. 5
Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
Play Begins: Apr. 7
 
Activity: Ultimate Frisbee
League: Co-Rec
Division: Open
Deadline: Apr. 12
Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
Play Begins: Apr. 16-17
 
Activity: Punt Pass & Kick
League: Men's/Women's
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Apr. 19
Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
Play Begins: Apr. 20
 
Activity: Track Meet
League: Men's/Women's/Co-Rec
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: Apr. 19
Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
Play Begins: Apr. 21
 
Activity: T-shirt Design Contest
League: Men's/Women's
Division: Open
Deadline: Apr. 29
Captains’ Meeting: E-mail
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. Captains’ Meetings will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the SRC Conference Room.
*All racquetball matches will be played at the A.T. Still Thompson Campus Center.

Jane Monson, digital projects librarian, had her article, “What to Expect When You’re Digitizing” published in the Jan./Feb. 2011 issue of Computers in Libraries.

Todd Phillips, director of the Student Success Center, presented a pre-conference institute for the National Association for Developmental Education at their national convention in Washington, D.C., Feb. 23-26. Phillips’ workshop focused on political advocacy for learning assistance and developmental education.

Taner Edis, associate professor of physics, was a panelist at the session on “The Challenge of Teaching Evolution in the Islamic World” at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting Feb. 18.

The Physics Colloquium continues at 4:30 p.m. March 2 in Magruder Hall 1096 with “Gamma-Ray Bursts: Cosmic nano-physics at work” by Mikhail Medvedev from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas.

The English Graduate Organization will host “A Night of Graduate Readings” at 7 p.m. March 2 at the University Club located at 516 E. Patterson. Matt Felzke, Tracey Hurt, Kasey Perkins and Franklin Cline will read their creative work.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) will meet at 4:30 p.m. March 4 at the University Club House, located at 516 E. Patterson. Contact Marc Becker at marc@truman.edu or or call 785.6036 for more information.

The Quincy Symphony Orchestra and the Jane Hartman Trio will perform “Century of Classics” at 7:30 p.m. March 5 at the Quincy Jr. High School Morrison Theater in Quincy, Ill. Admission is free for faculty, staff and students with a Truman ID.

The Sue Shear Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for the 2011 event. The academy will take place at the University of Missouri-St. Louis from May 22-27. The event focuses on producing strong female leaders with a passion for public policy. More information and the application can be found at http://registrar.truman.edu/other/shear.asp. Application packets are due to Julie Lochbaum’s office, Violette Hall 2352, by March 18. Contact Amanda Williams at alw2824@truman.edu for more information.

The Truman Institute is now accepting applications to earn the Managerial Foundations Certificate during an eight-week course in April and May. This certificate prepares participants to deal with increased global competitiveness while they manage resources and people more effectively. Anyone interested in enrolling may contact the Truman Institute at 785.5384, visit the Truman Institute website at http://institute.truman.edu or e-mail the Institute at jmorton@truman.edu. Submit applications for the April special session no later than March 28.

Missouri Hall Senate will host an Art Gala from 4:30-7 p.m. April 14 in the Missouri Hall Chariton Room. The Senate will purchase three pieces for $100 each. Entries must be 2-D and easily hangable. More information and the submission form can be found at http://missouri.truman.edu.