Vol. 26 No. 23 - February 21, 2022

Truman will soon transform a campus landmark to bring together many student support services in one location.
 
With financial assistance from the state of Missouri, Truman will renovate the Kirk Building to house a new Student Success Center. The center will employ a collaborative service model in which individual student service departments do not simply co-locate and deliver their services nearby to one another; but rather, work in coordination to meet students’ needs from entry to exit. The Student Success Center will be comprised of: the Career Center; Tutoring Services; the Student Health Center; Counseling Services; Student Access and Disability Services; the Center for Academic Excellence; the Communication Lab; and the Writing Center.
 
In addition to housing the Student Success Center, the University will also use the updated facility to provide resources to the community, including workforce development outreach, rural telehealth counseling and academic outreach workshops.
 
The Sustained Knowledge of Integrated Lifelong Learning Skills (SKILLS) Center will build upon the services of the departments in the Student Success Center, making key services available to the local community. While area K-12 students would have access to tutoring and advising, adult learners might seek skills to assist with career advancement through non-credit workshops on topics such as digital literacy, computer applications and personal development.  Truman students will have the opportunity to be trained to lead and support these community learning opportunities.
 
The SKILLS Center will look to collaborate with relevant community partners including: the city of Kirksville, Adair County and other municipalities and counties in the northeast Missouri region; Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc., and other regional economic development entities; the Missouri Division of Employment Security; and regional health care and social service providers.
 
The total estimated cost for the project is approximately $21 million. State support for the project comes in the form of $10.5 million through the American Rescue Plan Act that was recommended by Gov. Mike Parson during the State of the State address in January. The University plans to pursue grant funding and private donations to help meet its required portion of the funding.
 
If funding is approved by the Missouri General Assembly, design for renovation of the building is slated to begin in August 2022 with completion projected by December 2024.
 
Constructed in 1923, Kirk Building is named in honor of John R. Kirk, an alumnus and the second-longest tenured president in University history. For generations of alumni, it is remembered as the social center of campus since it was the site of games, assemblies and events.

 
All students taking at least three credit hours toward an undergraduate degree will get an automatic $750 summer scholarship. No additional registration steps are required, and the scholarship will be directly credited to eligible students’ accounts. May graduates and new students for fall 2022 are not eligible for the scholarship, and it cannot be applied to interim courses.
 
Registration for summer classes begins March 15. Summer is a great time for students to focus their attention on a challenging class, or work on boosting their GPA for scholarship renewal or graduate school applications. It is also an opportunity to make a lot of progress toward an additional major or minor without falling behind.
 
One of the biggest advantages to taking summer classes through Truman is students know what they are getting. Courses from other institutions may not always cover the pre-requisite topics needed to be successful in subsequent Truman courses.
 
The open course list for summer is now available in TruView with a variety of options for students, including online, hybrid and in-person delivery methods. The flexibility of summer courses provides students the opportunity to have a job, take a vacation or socialize with friends back home.
 
With six separate terms throughout the summer, students have a variety of options to fit their needs. Interim classes run May 7-28. The first round of five-week courses, as well as 10-week courses, begin May 31, while the second round of five-week courses begins July 5. An eight-week session begins June 6. The August interim runs from July 30-Aug. 13. For more information visit summer.truman.edu.

The library offers a variety of online services, including digital exhibits and digital library.

The digital exhibits were created from photographs, art and artifacts from Special Collections and the E. M. Violette Museum Collections. Some exhibits focus on a single collection, while others weave together several collections to tell a story. A few of the available exhibits are “The Big Fire” and “Cabinet of Curiosities.” “The Big Fire” showcases information about the 1924 campus fire that destroyed Baldwin and Library Hall. “Cabinet of Curiosities” showcases objects that reflect the diversity of the natural and human worlds. All other exhibits can be viewed here.

The digital library features digitized objects from the Pickler Memorial Library Special Collections and University Archives. These objects include manuscripts, photographs, vintage sheet music and other unique items. New items and collections will be added on a continuing basis. A few of the collections available now are “Truman State University: The Early Years” and “Experiences from the Civil War.” The rest of the collections can be found here.

The film screening will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Violette Hall 1000. The Q&A will follow at 7:45 p.m. Feb. 26 via Zoom or Facebook live.
 
There are a limited number of seats in Violette Hall 1000, so those interested should arrive early. Register here to receive the Zoom link for the Q&A. Representatives from McNair, Upward Bound, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the Alumni Association will share information about involvement with their organizations prior to and after the film screening and Q&A.

Thirteen students competed earning a combined total of 19 state championships. The team also earned first in overall debate sweepstakes, overall speech sweepstakes and overall tournament sweepstakes. At this tournament, students who entered into at least five speech categories across two or more speech genres – public address, interpretation and limited preparation – were entered into a special pentathlon sweepstakes. Students who competed in at least one debate event and had eligibility in pentathlon sweepstakes were also entered into overall forensicator sweepstakes.

Placements are as follows:
Open Lincoln-Douglas Debate:

• Senior Macy Cecil was awarded as fourth place speaker.
• Sophomore Alicia Stout was the state champion and the state speaker champion.
• Sophomore Elijah Baum was a semifinalist and awarded third place speaker.

Novice Lincoln-Douglas:

• Freshman Megan Trent was the state champion and awarded second place speaker.

Open NPDA Parliamentary Debate:

• Senior Kayla Gerlt was the state speaker champion.
• Senior Jackson Elder was awarded second place.
• Sophomore Ella Schnake was awarded fourth place speaker.

Novice NPDA Parliamentary Debate:

• Freshmen Megan Trent and Caroline Spiller were the state champions. Trent was also awarded second place speaker.
• Freshman Emma Rohrbach was the state speaker champion.
• Freshman Eli Bartz was awarded sixth place speaker.

Speech:

• Elder was the state champion in extemporaneous and impromptu speaking. He also earned third place in after dinner speaking and original oratory.
• Gerlt was the state champion in duo interpretation. She placed second in dramatic interpretation and after dinner speaking, third in prose and informative speaking and fourth in extemporaneous speaking. She was awarded the top overall forensicator and placed second in pentathlon sweepstakes.
• Junior Maya Krump was the state champion in original oratory, qualifying her for the interstate oratorical national tournament in April. She was also state champion in informative speaking.
• Schnake was the state champion in dramatic interpretation, prose, duo interpretation and program oral interpretation. She placed fourth in impromptu speaking. In addition, she was awarded state champion in pentathlon sweepstakes and placed second for the overall forensicator award.
• Sophomore Megan Ford placed fourth in informative speaking and persuasion.
• Sophomore Jillian Humke placed fifth in prose and dramatic interpretation.

Any students interested in joining the Forensics Union should contact Craig Hennigan at chennigan@truman.edu or Ben Davis at bdavis@truman.edu.

Career and Graduate School Week will take place Feb. 21-25 and will include virtual expos highlighting multiple professional development opportunities for students.

To start off the festivities, the Career Center will offer a free professional photo booth by the campus photographer from 11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22.

Students will have a chance to network and ask about their 30-second commercial pitch from 6-8 p.m., as well as have their professional documents critiqued.

A personal statement workshop with Dave Lusk, associate vice president for career development, will take place from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 22.

The virtual graduate expo for those who plan to pursue graduate studies will take place from 11-3 p.m. Feb. 23. A virtual career and internship expo for those searching for internships will take place from 11-3 p.m. Feb. 24.

A diversity, equity and inclusion workshop with Saint Rice, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, will take place from 5-6 p.m. There are 40 slots available for the in-person event. RSVP on #HireTruman to receive a ticket with the location or use this link to join the livestream.

The week will end with a career talk with immigration lawyer Micaela (Miha) Britt from 3-4 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. There are only 40 tickets available for the in-person presentation so RSVP on #HireTruman is required to receive a ticket.

Students can sign up for this expo by going to hiretruman.truman.edu. For questions regarding event times or details, visit career.truman.edu or email the Career Center at ucc3@truman.edu. These events will be accessed from #HireTruman.

The Office of Student Research is accepting TruScholars proposals for research and creative scholarship conducted during the eight-week summer term, June 6-July 29.

During the program, students should devote full-time effort to their project and faculty mentors should be continuously available for consultation and collaboration. Grant applications may request up to a maximum value of $5,750, including a $3,500 max student stipend and $1,750 max mentor stipend.

Complete guidelines for the TruScholars applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due Feb. 23. Questions can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

Carden is a professor of economics and medical properties trust fellow at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a co-editor of the Southern Economic Journal and a fellow with numerous research, education and outreach institutions. He is also the author of “Leave Me Alone and I’ll Make You Rich: How the Bourgeois Deal Enriched the World” with co-author Deirdre Nansen McCloskey.

In his presentation Carden will discuss how free markets work well when they are allowed to work. He will consider the economic causes and consequences of oppression and interference with the institutions of exchange.

Truman’s fourth annual Three-Minute Thesis Competition will take place at 10 a.m. Feb. 26 in Violette Hall 1010, providing students an opportunity to highlight their graduate-level research.

For the competition, participants will create a single slide that conveys their study. They will then have three minutes to discuss their research and its importance. Any original graduate research qualifies. It can be a scientific study, a discussion on a student’s creative writing adventure or musical composition. Current graduate students cannot submit research completed as an undergraduate.

Students will create a three-minute presentation following the guidelines set forth by Queensland University. They will also need an introductory slide that will include their name, title of presentation, faculty member and department. The single research slide appears right after, and as soon as the student starts speaking, the timer begins.  

The first-place prize is $75, with second place earning $50. The winner of the competition will attend the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools annual competition.  

After registering, students will need to upload a presentation slide by 12 p.m. Feb. 25. The slide should adhere to the guidelines found on the MAGS website. For more information, contact Julia Edgar, associate professor of communication disorders at jedgar@truman.edu.

Clients who come to VITA should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earnings statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available. VITA services will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return.

Students can schedule an appointment here. Truman staff and Kirksville residents can schedule by calling 660.785.6064.

Appointments are required. Walk-ins will be turned away. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

“Breakfast And Bed”
By Amy Fox
Directed by Jacob Baxley
Two characters: two females presenting or non-binary
Eloise: late 30s, nonchalant and hospitable, yet weirdly curious about Lex.
Lex: mid 20s, confused and trying to figure out what’s going on.
Lex wakes up hungover on the couch in her lover’s apartment and wonders where they have gone.

“Rumple Schmumple”
By Megan Gogerty
Directed by Avery Brownell
Two characters: one female presenting and one male presenting/gender neutral
Queen: a queen and recent mother
Rumplestiltskin: a funny-looking little man
Rumplestiltskin is surprised when the queen is actually eager to give up her infant child.

“Ringtone”
By Bruce Kane
Directed by Tatianna Ray
Two characters: one female presenting, one male presenting
Karen: thirty, attractive.
Len: mid-thirties, nice-looking.
An insecure and highly dramatic struggling actress gets a lesson in life and love when she asks a stranger to answer her phone to intercede with an ex-boyfriend.

“Overtones”
By Alice Gerstenburg
Directed by Me Crouch
Four characters: four female presenting
Harriet: a cultured woman
Hetty: her primitive self
Margaret: a cultured woman
Maggie: her primitive self
Two society ladies catch up and discuss business while their inner selves push for their true desires.

“The Pain in The Poetry”
By Glenn Alterman
Directed by Bonnie Jeune
Two characters: one female presenting, one gender neutral
Sheriden: a bit timid, but has an inner passion and power. A playwright.
Pamela: Sheridans wife. Somewhat controlling but ultimately cares for Sheriden. A poet.
Revelations about a disconnected couple’s private (writing) lives alter their relationship.

The nomination form for the 2022 Leadership Recognition Program is now open.

This program is designed to honor Truman students, advisors and organizations for their dedication to their peers, campus and Kirksville community through various leadership roles during the academic year. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate exceptional student leaders, advisors, organizations and events on campus, particularly candidates whose achievements stood out after a year of constant adaptation to change.

The access link to the nomination form and packet can be found online at involvement.truman.edu/lrp. Nomination forms are due by 5 p.m. March 15. The awards ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. April 12 in the Student Union Building.

Students interested in health care can consider a career in athletic training, which encompasses injury evaluation, rehabilitation and treatment, as well as program administration. Athletic trainers work closely with medical professionals to provide overall care and treatment to a variety of physically active individuals.

Applications for the MAT program can be submitted here. Application deadline is April 1. For questions, contact Brandy Schneider at bschneider@truman.edu.

The program offers two degrees – a Master of Arts in Counseling: Mental Health Counseling and Master of Arts in Counseling: School Counseling.
 
The Master of Arts in Counseling: School Counseling program is geared toward meeting the academic, career and personal/social needs of culturally diverse students in elementary, middle and secondary schools as certified and licensed school counselors.

The Master of Arts in Counseling: Mental Health Counseling program specializes in community-based work as licensed professional counselors.
 
Cohort size is limited, and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. For priority consideration, apply here by April 1. For more information about either program visit counseling.truman.edu or email Karl Witt at karlwitt@truman.edu.

Hannah Belanger and Cade McKnight were named to the First Team in NCAA Division II District 4 after the Academic All-District teams were posted by CoSIDA, Feb. 17.

Belanger is a junior exercise science major and has a GPA of 3.65. She was named an All-American last year by the WBCA, as well as GLVC Freshman of the Year. She was named Third Team All-GLVC as a freshman and then First Team All-GLVC last season. This past season she passed 1,000 career points.

This season she is averaging 17.3 points per game, and is shooting .392 from the field. She is also shooting .303 from three-point range and .813 from the free throw line. She’s also averaging 4.7 rebounds per game and has 90 assists, as well as 15 steals and two blocks.

McKnight is a junior in athletic eligibility, but is working toward his master’s in leadership. He is the reigning GLVC Player of the Year and was named First Team All-GLVC last season. He has also been named GLVC Player of the Week twice in 2021-22, as well as GLVC Freshman of the Year in 2018-19.

This season, he is averaging career highs in 19.7 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game and also has 35 assists, eight steals and three blocks so far this season. He’s shooting .597 from the floor this season and is shooting a career high .458 from three-point range and .817 from the line.

This year Academic Affairs offered a professional development opportunity to faculty interested in gaining knowledge and experience teaching a new course to help cover curricular needs in departments. Fully Integrated Team-Teaching Grants were offered to a team of faculty serving as joint instructors of the same course, collaborating with each other and integrating their work throughout the entire course. One instructor with expertise in the course content and experience teaching the course will team-teach with an instructor who has less content knowledge and experience. As an outcome of the experience, the newly trained faculty member will teach the course independently in the near future.  
 
The five teams are listed below:
 
Shanshan Lv and Tetyana Beregovska team-teaching STAT 220, Fundamentals of Data Science, Spring 2022.

Marty Strange and Julie Lochbaum team-teaching DS 480, Disabilities Studies Capstone, Spring 2022.
 
Ruthie Halma and Jon Beck team-teaching CS 370, Software Engineering, Spring 2022.
 
Marc Becker, Kathryn Brammall and Dan Mandell team-teaching HIST 2100, Institutional History of the United States, Spring 2022.

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 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. Applications should be submitted online through Scholarship Central at moslf.org. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 660.785.4130 for more information.