Vol. 25 No. 34 - July 12, 2021

Following the approval of the Missouri legislature, Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation June 30 appropriating funds for capital improvement projects throughout the state, including $4.6 million for the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center.

Since 2015, Truman has been working to convert the former elementary school into an interprofessional center designed to provide in-depth, interdisciplinary assessment and intervention for children with autism or suspected autism, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders.

“By establishing the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center we are providing a crucial resource for the residents of northeast Missouri, while also saving a treasured historic building,” said University President Sue Thomas. “We are tremendously grateful for the bipartisan support the project has received, and for the unwavering commitment of Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin as she championed the creation of the center. Representatives Danny Busick and Greg Sharpe also played key roles in moving the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center along, and Gov. Parson’s leadership on the state budget was essential in making this much-anticipated resource a reality.”

When completed, the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center will be staffed with licensed professionals and provide a variety of services. It will also offer opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in academic programs at Truman and A.T. Still University to gain real-world experience in their fields.

“This project is a true community effort, and we are honored to be taking the lead on it,” Thomas said. “With the continued support of Adair County SB 40, area health care partners, our faculty and staff, A.T. Still University, elected officials and the local community, we will provide an invaluable resource of which we will all be proud.”

Originally built in 1935, the Greenwood School served elementary students in Kirksville for more than six decades. Truman bought the building in 1999 when the Kirksville School District built a new elementary school, and the property has primarily been used as a storage facility since that time.

Completion of the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center will cost $7.9 million. In total, Truman has received $6.8 from the Missouri legislature, along with a $1.1 million grant from the Sunderland Foundation of Kansas City.

More information about the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center, including a timeline, funding history and information on how to support the project, can be found at greenwood.truman.edu.

As Truman prepares for the new academic year, it is important to maintain the same sense of community that existed last year.

Truman navigated the 2020-21 school year without any COVID-related stoppages because of proper planning and so many people working together. The pandemic may be nearing its end, but it is not over yet. To ensure another successful school year, everyone must continue to work together to make well-informed individual and group decisions.

The current plan reflects work from the previous school year, as well as input from faculty, staff and students addressing the multitude of factors that must be considered to return to campus. The University will continue to consult local health officials, professional organizations and the plans of other universities.

Additional details regarding the Fall 2021 Campus Plan can be found online at truman.edu/coronavirus.

Monday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tuesday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Wednesday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thursday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday
Closed

Saturday
Closed

Sunday
Closed

Virtual Sessions
July 13
5:30-6:30 p.m.

July 27
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Aug. 10
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 
On-Campus Sessions
Sept. 7
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sept. 21
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Oct. 5
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Oct. 19
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Nov. 2
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16
5:30-6:30 p.m.

The new Blackboard tool, Ally, is now available for faculty to enable in courses on a volunteer basis. The University-wide rollout will take place later this year. Faculty that would like to take advantage of this opportunity should contact the Learning Technologies Team to get started. While Ally does have built-in tutorials, the Learning Technologies Team is creating documentation for common fixes and will be available to answer any questions.

Faculty are encouraged to take a look at Ally since it allows them to create more accessible content for students to succeed. It provides a green/yellow/red “speedometer” that instructors can use to gauge which content can be edited to become more accessible for students. Ally also provides guidance by suggesting how to fix content that has been flagged as needing improvement. Ally automatically generates alternative formats for content, such as MP3 text-to-speech, e-reader supported files and Beeline files, which help readers keep track of their place in text. For more information contact the Learning Technologies Team.

Men’s fraternity recruitment will take place Sept. 9-17. It will begin with an informational assembly featuring the various fraternities on campus. Each chapter will host events throughout the week for potential members to attend.

Sign-up is available at greeklife.truman.edu/go-greek. For more information, visit ifc.truman.edu. Follow the Interfraternity Council on Facebook or Instagram. Questions regarding fraternity recruitment can be directed to ifc@truman.edu.

Truman Food Pantry will be open this summer for all current students, even if they are not enrolled in summer classes. Students can submit a request here to select food and schedule a time for pick up at the SERVE Center located in Student Union Building 1106. This service will be offered continuously throughout the summer months. Food is provided by the Pantry for Adair County in partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, and from generous donations from the Truman community.

 
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