Vol. 26 No. 31 - April 25, 2022

McClanahan served more than 30 years as a member of the faculty in the nursing program at Truman. She was nominated for the Allen Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching and for the William Lee O’Donnell Advising Award. A charter member of the Rho Omega Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, McClanahan received the chapter’s first award for Leadership Excellence. She was known for her passion for nursing, health care policy and for mentoring young people interested in public service.

McClanahan served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, 2007-2010, representing District 2, including the counties of Adair, Putnam and Sullivan. She was the third nurse ever elected in the Missouri General Assembly, where she served on the committees of health appropriations, higher education, agriculture policy and budget. McClanahan was appointed to represent the House on the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee, the first nurse on that committee, and was appointed by the Speaker to the Missouri SeniorRx Advisory Commission. She was recognized for her legislative work by the Missouri Chapter of American Cancer Society, Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities, the Local Public Health Association and the Missouri Nurses Association, among others.

An active member of Missouri Nurses Association, McClanahan served as president for two terms, during which she travelled throughout the state speaking to nurses and nursing students. She served in several executive board positions and chaired many committees over the years. She remains active on the advocacy committee and chairs the political action committee. She has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Association.

After her legislative service, McClanahan was selected as the executive director of Missouri Health Care for All, a statewide, non-profit with the mission of organizing and advocating in support of access to high-quality, affordable health care for all Missourians.

McClanahan received her Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing from Truman, and her Master of Science Degree in nursing from Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri-Columbia with a specialty in community mental health. She achieved doctoral candidacy in pursuit of her Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Kansas. Her presentations and publications include creative models of teaching nursing, qualitative analyses of models of health care reform and research regarding substance abuse among nurses.

Spring commencement is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 7 at Stokes Stadium. Additional details, including the inclement weather plan, can be found at truman.edu/registrar/commencement.

The student speaker will be Annie Bensyl, a graduating psychology student from Kansas City, Missouri.

In preparation for the national tournament, members of the speech team first competed virtually at the Asynchronous Championship Tournament hosted by Outspoken Culture, March 23-27. The team then advanced to nationals where 62 schools competed across the nation with more than 1,200 entries. Truman forensics had greater sweepstakes and individual placings in nationals than they have had in previous years.

Placements from the National Forensics Association Championship Tournament include:
Debate:
•    Senior Macy Cecil was an octofinalist, top 16, in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
•    Sophomore Alicia Stout was awarded fourth speaker in the nation and was an octofinalist, top 16, in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
•    Sophomore Elijah Baum was a double octofinalist, top 32, in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
•    Freshman Caroline Spiller was awarded 10th speaker in the nation and was a double octofinalist, top 32, in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
 
Speech:
•    Senior Jackson Elder was a semifinalist, top 12, in extemporaneous speaking, quarterfinalist, top 24, in after dinner speaking and octofinalist, top 48, in impromptu speaking.
•    Senior Kayla Gerlt was an octofinalist, top 48, in after dinner speaking, prose interpretation and duo interpretation.
•    Sophomore Ella Schnake was a quarterfinalist, top 24, in dramatic interpretation and impromptu speaking. She was an octofinalist, top 48, in prose interpretation, program oral interpretation and duo interpretation.  
 
Junior Maya Krump, sophomores Megan Ford, Larissa Wratney and Jillian Humke, as well as freshmen Eli Bartz and Megan Trent were also in attendance at nationals.
 
Team Awards:
•    Sixth place in Open Lincoln-Douglas Debate Sweepstakes.
•    Sixth place in Individual Events Sweepstakes: President’s Division 2.
 
Placements from the Asynchronous Championship Tournament include:
•    Senior Jackson Elder took second place in extemporaneous speaking and was a quarterfinalist, top 24, in persuasion.
•    Senior Kayla Gerlt took third place in after dinner speaking and was a quarterfinalist, top 24, in prose interpretation and dramatic interpretation.
•    Junior Maya Krump was a quarterfinalist, top 24, in persuasion.
•    Sophomore Ella Schnake was a semifinalist, top 12, in prose interpretation and dramatic interpretation, as well as an impromptu speaking quarterfinalist, top 24.
•    Sophomore Jillian Humke was a quarterfinalist, top 24, in after dinner speaking.
 
Also in attendance were sophomores Megan Ford and Larissa Wratney.
 
Team Awards:
•    Second overall sweepstakes in Lake Division
•    Sixth overall sweepstakes in Open Ocean Division
 
Any students interested in joining the Forensics Union should contact Craig Hennigan at chennigan@truman.edu or Ben Davis at bdavis@truman.edu.

In addition to the awards below, Genna Tlustos was elected vice president of the MCMA and David Price, Truman Media Network faculty advisor, was selected Adviser of the Year.

Missouri College Media Association award winners:
First Place
•    Sports Colum – Steven Findley Jr., “Why we should care about sports”
•    Sports Page Design – Ryan Pivoney, April 15, 2021
•    Video – Josie Wagner and Anas Alhassani, “Off-Limits - Kirk Gym”

Second Place
•    Sports Column – Steven Findley Jr., “Thanksgiving Day for a sports fanatic”
•    Information Graphic – Rachel Becker, “Local opinions on the app”
•    Photo Page Design – Rachel Becker, “Sing Your Heart Out”
•    Editorial/Op-Ed Page Design – Elisabeth Shirk, Feb. 11, 2021
•    Website – Truman Media Network Staff

Third Place
•    Editorial Writing – Editorial Board, “Use Yik Yak Wisely”
•    Entertainment Review – Joey Dougherty, “‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ is an important, impactful exploration of Black history”
•    News Photography – Anakin Bush, “Truman workers protest for higher wages”
•    Photo Page Design – Anakin Bush, “All roads lead home”
•    Story Illustration – Staff, “Kanye Donda”
•    Sports Page Design – Steven Findley Jr. and Rachel Becker, Oct. 28, 2021
•    Sweepstakes – Staff
•    Best Overall Newspaper – Staff, V112N8, V113N4, V113N5

Honorable Mention
•    Feature Writing – Rachel Becker and Genevieve Tlustos, “Delta Omicron Mu: A bond that can’t be broken, even after 40 years; Truman Alumni From Across The Country Reunite”
•    In-Depth News Reporting – Staff, “Truman to finish JED program,” Jan. 21 and “JED Program leads to change at Truman,” Feb. 25
•    Column – Elisabeth Shirk, “Local elections affect Truman students too”
•    Video – Katie Varner, “You Belong Here, All Are Welcome Here”
•    Multimedia Package – Truman Media Network, “LGBTQ Center”

Missouri Broadcast Educators Association award winners:
First Place
•    Audio Play-by-Play – Steven Findley Jr. and Andrew Holder, “Truman Football vs Lindenwood”
•    Audio Show Promo – Annie Bensyl, “Football Show Promo”
•    Multimedia Convergent (MMJ) Journalism – TMN Staff, Anas Alhassani, Rachel Becker and Genevieve Tlustos, “LGBTQ Center”
•    Multimedia Website – TMN staff and Daniel Harper

Second Place
•    Audio Podcasts – Ryan Pivoney, “Dry Ink S2E22”
•    Audio Station Promo – Emma Gottfried, “Open Your Ears”

Taught by associate professor David Charles Goyette, each student directs a different one-act play from some of the best playwrights from around the country as a final assignment. The plays have to be published within the last 80 years, between 10-30 minutes in length and without heavy science, costume, light or sound effects.

These final productions represent a synthesis of numerous concepts explored in the course of the semester. Students explored composition and picturization techniques, scene analysis, how to develop a directorial approach and methods on how to work with actors.

The play direction course is required of all theatre majors in order to graduate. Admission is free for the one act plays. For more information, contact Goyette at dcgoyette@truman.edu.

April 28
“Ringtone”
By Bruce Kane
Directed by Tatianna Ray
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
Two society ladies catch up and discuss business while their inner selves push for their true desires.

April 29
“Rumple Schmumple”
By Megan Gogerty
Directed by Avery Brownell
Rumplestiltskin is surprised when the queen is actually eager to give up her infant child.

“A Famed Life”
By James Hanson
Directed by Bonnie Jeune
A washed-up actor goes to great and dramatic lengths to keep her maid from leaving for a new job.

“Breakfast And Bed”
By Amy Fox
Directed by Jacob Baxley
Lex wakes up hungover on the couch in her lover’s apartment and wonders where they have gone.

A closing reception will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. April 29 with refreshments provided. The exhibition features the work of five art students: Gabrielle Kuster, Lee Gardunia, Shania Montúfar, Stephen Poindexter Orozco and ZuZu Smugala. They are working in a variety of media including painting, photography and ceramics. A majority of these students are completing either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art.

The bodies of work on display are the culmination of a semester of labor. This event is free and open to the public.

The English and Linguistics Virtual Senior Capstone Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 25.

The keynote address, “Grad School in the Time of COVID: Archiving, Teaching and Learning in Community,” will be delivered by alumna Elva Moreno del Rio (’20), a research assistant at the Walt Whitman Archive at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The keynote is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and can be accessed here.

The full conference schedule can be found here, as well as the Zoom links for the panels.

The University will celebrate and honor spring graduates at 2 p.m. May 7 in Stokes Stadium. Several volunteers are needed to help pass out programs and direct people to the disability and available seating.  

Volunteers are asked to arrive at the stadium by 12:40 p.m. for directions prior to the doors opening at 1 p.m. Shortly after commencement begins, volunteers are free to leave or stay for the ceremony.
 
Anyone willing to volunteer or anyone with questions about volunteering, can contact Nancy Asher at nasher@truman.edu or Kaytee Wood at kwood@truman.edu, or call 660.785.4145. For those who volunteer, more detailed information will be sent closer to the actual date.

The School of Business’s next virtual guest talk will take place at 10:30 a.m. April 28 via Zoom. Katie Ferrigno, director of social strategy at Ogilvy, will present on the topic “Digital Marketing & Analytics.”

Based in New York City, Ogilvy is part of a British advertising, marketing and public relations agency. It was founded in 1850 by Edmund Mather as a London-based agency and is now part of the WPP Group, one of the largest advertising and public relations companies in the world. The agencies experts in public relations, growth and innovation, advertising, health and experience work fluidly across 131 offices in 93 countries.

The College Republicans will sponsor Lt. Col. Allen West of the Texas State Guard for a presentation at 6 p.m. April 27 in the Baldwin Hall Little Theater. West is a veteran of the United States Army, former chair of the Texas Republican Party and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 22nd District. His talk, “You’re Not a Victim: Reject CRT’s Victim Mentality,” will explore a wide range of current socio-political topics, including CRT and American exceptionalism. The event is free and open to the public.

The Student Health Center, operated through a partnership between the University and Complete Family Medicine, will continue to remain open throughout the summer. The Student Health Center will continue to provide in-person services to students living on or off campus. Complete Family Medicine also runs the Urgent Care in Kirksville, and the Student Health Center offers all of the same services, with the exception of radiology.

The SHC will be closed for patients during the May interim, but will have students there to answer the phones and email. The rest of the summer the SHC will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. To schedule an appointment, call 660.785.4182 or email studenthealth@cfmcares.com.

More information can be found at truman.cfmcares.com.

UCS will be open all summer from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday. To schedule an appointment, call 660.785.4104 or email ucs@cfmcares.com.

A full list of counseling resources, apps and information about UCS can be found at truman.cfmcares.com.

• Joseph Baldwin Academy (June 8-July 3 and/or July 6-31)
• JBA Junior (July 11-15)
• ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy (June 9-18)

The Institute for Academic Outreach is seeking applications for each academy for programs ranging from one to three weeks during June and July. Stipends vary based in the length of the program and nature of the work.

To be eligible as a preceptor, applicants must be a Truman student or a May 2022 graduate, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and not be enrolled in summer classes while working in the program. Individuals hired for these programs will also be required to complete a criminal background check, pre-academy trainings and pre-academy orientations.
 
Applications are currently being accepted and will continue until the positions are filled. Information about each available position can be accessed at tiacademies.truman.edu/employment or by emailing Michelle Wilson at mwwilson@truman.edu.

Truman’s Upward Bound program is currently accepting applications for summer employment. Influence equity in and access to higher education by joining the Upward Bound team in helping area high school students prepare for college. Interested applicants can access application materials here.

Summer students will be housed in West Campus Suites. For preferred eligibility for summer housing, students must either:

•    Be enrolled in a summer course, and in good financial standing with the University AND/OR
•    Be enrolled in a fall course as a continuing student, and in good financial standing with the University.

Students who plan to stay on campus this summer but do not have a fall 2022 housing assignment will need to move out July 31. Students staying in summer housing in August will be moved to their fall 2022 housing assignment on Aug. 8-9.

Summer housing registration is available here. To secure housing, students should sign up online no later than May 2. Visit truman.edu/residence-life for more information.

A group of Ronald E. McNair program scholars and student sponsored by the Sociology and Anthropology Department attended the annual Midwest Sociological Society conference in Chicago, Illinois, April 12-16. The group included Kate Teku, Lauri Klump, Quin Quintana, Ryan Freese, Samantha Pratt, Serena Taylor, Hailey Elder, Shania Montufar and Jeremy Freese.

The scholars attended plenary sessions from leading sociologists, attended a variety of presentation sessions and explored Chicago during their trip. Montufar and her mentor, Dr. Silvia Pedraza of the University of Michigan, presented a paper titled “Finding One’s Place in America: Latinx Family Heritage, Gender and Generations.” The paper is currently being considered for publication.

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.