Vol. 25 No. 28 - April 12, 2021

The Truman campus now has 24 new trees thanks to a Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant.

TRIM grants offer cost-share funding for government agencies, schools and nonprofit groups to manage, improve or conserve trees on public lands. The Missouri Department of Conservation awarded Truman $10,000 last year specifically for the removal, pruning and planting of trees on campus based on the plan set forth in its application.

Native trees including Serviceberry, Hornbeam and Baldcypress can now be found along the east side of Missouri, Dobson and Blanton-Nason-Brewer halls, as well as near Randolph Apartments.

After being a completely virtual event last year due to the pandemic, the Student Research Conference will return April 22 in a hybrid format.

Asynchronous virtual oral, poster, performance art and studio art presentations, as well as a limited number of face-to-face oral presentations, will be facilitated. Undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines were invited to present their scholarly or creative work.

Dr. Kalynda C. Smith, assistant professor of psychology at North Carolina A&T State University, will be the plenary speaker. Her current teaching load is primarily social psychology and cultural psychology courses. She is also a Co-PI of several STEM education NSF-funded projects focused on the academic achievement of students of color, especially as it pertains to pursuing research and graduate training. These interdisciplinary projects include faculty from education, engineering, mathematics, political science, social work and sociology and are cross-institutional. Smith’s duties include quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyses, interpretation and publication. She is primarily interested in how identity impacts the achievement outcomes of students of color including, but not limited to, racial identity, gender identity and academic identity.

Smith’s presentation, “The Exploration of Identity Intersectionality of Black Female STEM Undergraduates attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU),” will take place at 12 p.m. April 22 via Zoom.

Additional information for the Student Research Conference, including abstracts, a schedule of events and access to virtual presentations, can be found online at osr.truman.edu/src2021. Questions about the program for the conference can be directed to the Office of Student Research via email at osr@truman.edu.

The latest theatre production, “After the Blast,” will stream online at 7:30 p.m. April 14-17.

In the play, humans retreated deep underground generations ago after environmental disasters and nuclear war. Nature is now simulated through brain-implanted chips, and fertility is regulated to keep the surviving population in balance. Anna and Oliver want to have a baby, and their options are running out. To lift Anna’s spirits, Oliver brings a helper robot into their home, and Anna finds the helper to be more human than she ever expected.

“After the Blast” is a play by Zoe Kazan based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Truman’s production is under the direction of Dana Smith.

This production includes discussion of death, destruction, apocalyptic events, depression, suicide ideation, ableist comments and forced termination of a pregnancy. It is suitable for audience members 13 years and older.

Run time is approximately 115 minutes with a five-minute intermission.

Digital admission is $6 plus a $2 ticket fee. Tickets can be purchased at boxoffice.truman.edu. Contact the Truman Theatre Box Office for more info at boxoffice@truman.edu.

The Truman Media Network tied for second in the number of awards announced at the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association meeting, March 26.

“It is exciting that some of our students were honored by MBEA,” said Don Krause, chair, Truman Media board. “These awards recognize the dedication of our students in producing strong content.”

Thirteen Missouri schools competed in 29 categories. College of the Ozarks took home 10 awards, followed by Truman and Missouri State with eight. Other schools earning awards were Southeast Missouri State University with seven, along with Evangel University, Missouri Valley College and Northwest Missouri State University Student Media with six each.

Truman students won awards in five of the categories.

Rachel Becker, Trevor Grandin and Ryan Pivoney
Audio > News Story
Second Place, “Truman Students March for Breonna Taylor”

Annie Bensyl
Audio > PSA
First Place, “Go Vote”

Annie Bensyl
Audio > Special Programs & Podcasts
Third Place (tie), “Conversation About Race”

Trevor Grandin
Audio > Special Programs & Podcasts
Third Place (tie), “Pageturner Ep. 2 - Dr. Laura Fielden-Rechav”

Lesley Hauck
Audio > Station Promo
Second Place, “Vibe Check”

Connor Shelton
Audio > Station Promo
Third Place, “We Didn’t Start the Liner”

Sam Tillman
Audio > PSA
Second Place, “COVID Testing”

Truman Media Network
Multimedia > Website
Second Place

Abby Sanders and Shelby Feltrop took first and second place, respectively, in Truman’s Three-Minute Thesis Competition.

Sponsored by Truman’s Graduate Council, the competition highlights original graduate-level research, including a master’s thesis. Currently enrolled master’s students at Truman are eligible to participate, and the competition cultivates their academic, presentation and research communication skills by challenging them to explain the significance of their research projects to a general audience in three minutes or less.

Feltrop, a Master of Athletic Training student, presented “Bullying: The Ugly Side of Athletic Training.” She earned a $50 gift card.

Sanders, a Master of Arts in Education student, presented “The Effect of Community Building on Students’ Emotions.” She earned a $75 gift card and her presentation was submitted to the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools for the next round of competition.

Jesse has a passion for education as a bridge to opportunity, and she is passionate about supporting underserved populations in STEM, technology and business. This semester, Jesse presented to the Bulldog Student Investment Fund. She talked openly about the challenges of balanced career and work and having to shift gears and priorities. She will give a presentation to members of the School of Business from 3:30-5 p.m. April 14 on Zoom.

The Department of Music will present the second of three Spring Percussion Ensemble Concerts at 7:30 p.m. April 12 from the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. It can be livestreamed here. Concert Percussion Ensemble I, directed by Michael Bump, professor of music, along with the Graduate Percussion Quartet will present a varied and eclectic program of percussion music. Featured in the program will be senior percussion major Emma Kanerva, recipient of the 2020 Michael Hooley Memorial Percussion Award, and graduate student Josh Buettner on solo field drum.

The University will celebrate and honor spring graduates May 7-8. Several volunteers are needed to help take tickets, pass out programs and direct people to the marked seating areas at the May Commencement Ceremonies.

Truman will be conducting seven ceremonies in order to provide socially distant, in-person experiences for graduates and their two guests. Volunteers can pick which ceremonies they would like to attend. All ceremonies will take place in Pershing Arena so they can be livestreamed for those who are not able to attend in-person.  

The Registrar’s Office is trying to create three “Commencement Teams” based on the grouping of ceremonies instead of trying to staff individual ceremonies. The commencement teams are broken into a Friday team, a Saturday early team and a Saturday late team with the divisions as follows:

Friday team – The 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. ceremonies

Saturday early team – The 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. ceremonies

Saturday late team – The 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ceremonies
 
Anyone willing to serve on any of the commencement teams, or anyone with questions about volunteering, can contact Nancy Asher at nasher@truman.edu or Anna Ruiz Esparza at annare@truman.edu, or call extension 660.785.4143. For those who volunteer, more detailed information will be sent closer to the actual date.

As a part of Earth Week, Student Government and the Center for International Students will host a screening of “Human Flow” and a discussion on climate change driven migration from 6-9 p.m. April 15 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms and on Zoom.

Zoom
Meeting ID: 795 0860 2209

The show is free of charge and the doors will open at 6:45 p.m. There is limited seating for first arrivals. Masks and social distancing will be required. KTRM Studios, formerly TMN Television, is a student-operated television station that operates under the Truman Media Network.

Lavender Graduation will occur from 4-6 p.m. May 2 in the Baldwin Hall Little Theatre. This event will celebrate LGBTQ+ undergraduates and graduates of spring, summer or fall 2021 classes. Friends, family, faculty, staff and allies are welcome to attend in support of the graduates. Attendance is free. For more information, and to RSVP by April 16, visit diversity.truman.edu/lavgrad.

Alpha Phi Omega will host a cornhole tournament from 1-5 p.m. April 18 on the quad. All of the proceeds will go to St. Baldrick’s, an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. COVID protocols will be observed. Hand sanitizer will be available and all of the materials will be sanitized between each team. Click here to register.

Joey Hubbard, assistant professor of biology, will be the presenter at the final Faculty Forum of the 2020-21 school year. Hubbard’s talk, “Understanding the causes & consequences of plumage color variation in North American barn swallows,” will take place at 7 p.m. April 21 on Zoom. All are welcome to attend.

Presentation abstract:

In North American barn swallows, Hirundo rusticate erythrogaster, ventral coloration is the target of sexual selection such that males with darker plumage experience higher reproductive success. Cross-fostering experiments demonstrate that plumage color, while heritable, is also impacted by environmental conditions during early development (i.e, while nestlings are still in the nest). Given its role as a sexually selected trait, we are investigating information that might be conveyed by this coloration. Specifically, my students and I are examining the role of nest temperature during both the incubation and brooding period on color development as well as hatching success and nestling survival.

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 and sciences, the Forum is a showcase of Truman faculty’s many creative and intellectual pursuits. The Forum offers a variety of formats – public lectures, classroom-style symposia, performances, and gallery exhibitions – to best suit different fields of study as well as different individuals.

Women in Chemistry will host a screening of the documentary “Picture a Scientist” that portrays several female scientists and their experiences. Sign up here.

Preparation courses are non-credit bearing and are offered at a range of lengths, at a variety of times and dates, and various points throughout the year. Students who register at least 10 business days in advance of the course can secure discounts of between $50-$100 per course. Courses are priced to be competitive with other national providers.

For high school students, preparation courses for the ACT and SAT are also available.

For detailed descriptions of the available courses, and for more information on how to enroll, visit examprep.truman.edu.

Antonio Scuderi, professor of Italian, has been invited by Northwestern University Press to contribute a book blurb for “The Theater of Narration” by Juliet Guzzetta.

Cameron Massieon, history, has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship and a place on the Robert and Cecelia McGaughy Black Archives Diversity and Inclusion Internship at the St. Joseph Museums. The 125-hour internship will be on-site in St. Joseph, Mo., in the summer of 2021. The internship provides hands-on experience in exhibit design, interpretive programming, special events, collections and archives management, and museum administration. This internship opportunity is made possible through the support of Danielle McGaughy, in honor of her grandparents, and the Missouri Humanities Council.

Twelve faculty members have been awarded 2021-2022 Faculty Scholarship Grants. These grants will be used to further existing scholarship/research projects or to initiate new projects. Jessica Colpoys, director of the Office of Student Research, and the members of the Office of Student Research Steering Committee reviewed the applications. Those receiving funding for the coming year are:

Marc Becker – history

In their weekly meeting, Faculty Senate COVID-19 Working Group committee members Christine Harker and Scott Alberts discussed increased vaccine availability and what it could mean for the fall semester.

Last week, Truman conducted an on-campus vaccination clinic for students and employees. Hy-Vee Pharmacy administered 365 doses, primarily the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine. In Missouri, the vaccine is now available to anyone over the age of 16. The more people who get vaccinated, the faster herd immunity can be achieved. It also could affect what in-person options Truman is able to do in the fall semester.

A recording of their conversation is available here.

A.T. Still University’s Kirksville Family Medicine will host a public COVID-19 vaccine clinic, scheduled for 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 14. The clinic will take place at ATSU’s Gutensohn Clinic, located at 800 W. Jefferson St.

ATSU Kirksville Family Medicine will provide the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at no cost and by appointment only. Anyone age 18 and older is eligible for the appointments.

Email covidvaccinesignup@atsu.edu to request a time or call 660.626.2191. A consent form and directions will be sent to those inquiring by email.

Participants will be required to follow CDC guidelines, including wearing a mask and social distancing.

This will be ATSU’s third public COVID-19 vaccine clinic event. More than 500 people received the vaccine during the April 6-7 clinics.

The Adair County Health Department will host a vaccination event at the Health Department, April 15. The Moderna vaccine will be available for anyone 18 years of age or older.

Registration can be completed here. Appointments can also be made by calling 660.730.6100 or 660.730.6200. The health department will schedule additional clinics based on the number of registrations for this clinic. Questions can be directed to 660.665.8491

As COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, many are interested in knowing whether colleagues and students have been vaccinated. This curiosity is understandable. As the University looks forward to planning in-person activities, it seems logical to inquire about others’ vaccination status out of consideration for their safety and wellbeing. However, asking for a person’s vaccination status may elicit additional information that is not pertinent and could expose individuals and the University to liability.
 
People with certain health conditions are unable to be vaccinated. In addition, those with sincerely held religious beliefs may legally refuse vaccinations. As a result, asking whether someone has been vaccinated may yield information about the person’s disability or religious views. An individual who has this protected information may be liable if it is used in a discriminatory manner. For instance, a class policy prohibiting students from participating in a particular activity unless they have been vaccinated would be discriminatory if applied to a student whose disability prevents them from being vaccinated.
 
Vaccine information, including whether or not a person has received the vaccine, is private. The best way to avoid the consequences of misusing private information is not to have it.

Questions regarding vaccine inquires can be directed to Amy Clendennen, general counsel, at 660.785.4121.

 
Listed below are several of the major national fellowships and their websites. More information about these fellowships is available at www.truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/fellowships.

For Graduate Studies
Fulbright Grants
Research grants and teaching assistantships for a year abroad

Rhodes Scholarships
Grants for two years of study at Oxford University

Marshall Scholarships
Awards for two years of study in any British university

Mitchell Scholarships
One year of graduate study or research in Ireland or Northern Ireland

Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Awards for an advanced degree or second bachelor’s degree at the University of Cambridge
 
For Undergraduate Studies
Goldwater Scholarships
Up to $7,500 annually for tuition, fees, books, room and board for science and mathematics majors

Harry S. Truman Scholarships
For senior year and post-graduate study leading to a career in public service

Udall Scholarships
For students interested in careers related to environmental issues or for Native Americans and Alaskans interested in careers related to health care and tribal public policy

Carnegie Endowment Junior Fellowships
For students interested in international affairs to work as research assistants to the Endowment’s senior associates in Washington, D.C. for a full year

Boren Scholarships
To study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests

The Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation will offer the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship, named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy.

Purdy was born in 1914 on a farm near Macon and was the first in his family to attend a four-year college. He worked in the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture before becoming the campus’s first director of scholarships and student financial aid.

The scholarship is designed to provide merit-based scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and have a need for additional resources for higher education. The scholarship amount can vary based on an applicant’s circumstances. The general range will be $1,000-$5,000 based on expected family contribution (EFC), unmet need and other factors.

Applicants must be a Missouri resident, typically a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA, a U.S. Citizen, and a sophomore, junior or senior attending a Missouri public four-year university or the State Technical College of Missouri. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2021. Applications should be submitted online through Scholarship Central at moslf.org. To access more information about this scholarship, click here, or contact the Financial Aid Office at 660.785.4130.