Vol. 25 No. 34 - July 12, 2021

Features

  • Autism Center at Truman to Receive $4.6 Million from State

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    Truman is slated to receive financial support to help convert the former Greenwood Elementary School into an interprofessional autism center.

    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.
  • University Announces Guidelines for Fall Semester

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    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.

    Based on collected data and guidelines from the CDC, the campus mask mandate ended July 6. In a survey conducted from June 14-21, more than 89% of students and 97% of faculty and staff who responded indicated they are currently vaccinated, with additional individuals indicating they will be by start of semester. The high vaccination rates significantly reduce the probability of a significant COVID-19 outbreak on campus. With being fully vaccinated, most students and employees on campus will not be required to wear masks or socially distance.

    This fall, vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly advised to wear masks when indoors or attending a crowded outdoor event. Individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are more comfortable wearing a mask are encouraged to do so. Anyone electing to wear a mask should not be asked about their vaccination status or medical conditions.

    Individuals will not be required to provide proof of vaccination in order to not wear masks or participate in routine campus activities. The University expects all members of campus community to practice personal integrity. This includes being honest about one’s own vaccination status and respecting the privacy of others’ health information.

    Truman has and will continue to consider the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (COVID-19): Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education and Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence: College and University Recommendations. The University will continue to prepare for multiple scenarios and will be ready to make any necessary adjustments should the need arise.

    Additional details regarding the Fall 2021 Campus Plan can be found online at truman.edu/coronavirus.
  • Truman Named a Best Buy in Fiske Guide to Colleges

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    Truman is one of 10 public schools chosen in the “Fiske Guide to Colleges” Best Buys of 2022.

    For 38 years, the “Fiske Guide to Colleges” has chosen a select group of schools based on academic quality and affordability for its best buy list. The 2022 guide includes 20 schools – 10 public and 10 private – it deems as best buys. These are schools that, in the judgement of the editors, offer “outstanding educational value as determined by academic quality in relation to the net cost of attendance.”

    Truman has been included in the “Fiske Guide to Colleges” for seven consecutive years and 13 times total.

    This year’s list includes colleges and universities throughout the United States, with Truman being the only school from Missouri to be selected.

    “Fiske Guide to Colleges” Best Buys of 2022

    Public
    Arizona State University
    University of Florida
    University of Iowa
    New College of Florida
    University of North Carolina Asheville
    Purdue University
    SUNY–Purchase College
    University of Texas at Austin
    Truman State University
    University of Washington

    Private
    Centre College
    The Cooper Union
    Drew University
    Lawrence College
    Oglethorpe University
    Olin College of Engineering
    Rice University
    Vanderbilt University
    Warren Wilson College
    Xavier University of Louisiana

Announcements

  • SAB Accepting Talent Show Auditions

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    This fall semester, SAB will host TruTalent, a talent show for Truman students. The event gives students the opportunity to showcase their unique talents. A 3-5 minute video can be submitted as an audition by emailing it to Kaycee Little at kll5665@truman.edu. An email will be sent with further information after video audition is received. The deadline for audition tapes is 6 p.m. Aug. 20.
  • Summer Hours at the Rec

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    For the full schedule of summer fitness classes visit recreation.truman.edu.

    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
  • Learn About Graduate Programs at Info Sessions

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    Information sessions about graduate programs will take place both virtually and on campus. Registration for each session can be found here and closes at 5 p.m. the day prior to the event. The location for on campus is still to be determined. Master’s programs offered are accountancy, athletic training, communication disorders, education, English, leadership, music, counseling (online), data science and analytic storytelling (online) and gifted education (online). For more information, contact Liz McLain, assistant director of admission-graduate and transfer.

    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.
  • New Blackboard Tool Now Available for Faculty

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    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.
  • Fraternity Rush Set to Begin Sept. 9

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    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.
  • Food Packs Available for Students During Summer

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    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.

Scholarship Opportunities

  • Nationally Competitive Scholarships and Fellowships

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    Each year Truman nominates students for national fellowship opportunities who have shown outstanding academic performance and exceptional service accomplishments. The application process is very rigorous and highly competitive, but the University provides support as students prepare for and then apply to these prestigious scholarships.
     
    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