Vol. 26 No. 34 - June 13, 2022

Truman has released the names of students who graduated during spring commencement ceremonies, May 7.

The names of the graduates can be found online at truman.edu/honors/spring-2022-graduation-list. Students who graduated with honors will have that distinction noted by their names. Cum laude recognizes those who earned a grade point average between 3.50-3.74. Magna cum laude is for graduates with a grade point average between 3.75-3.89. Summa cum laude honors graduates with a grade point average above 3.9.

Master’s degree recipients will have that distinction noted by their names.

Senior Abigail Bidwell was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission as the only commissioner in northern Missouri.

The Missouri Community Service Commission is appointed by the governor and administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Its mission is to strengthen Missouri communities through volunteerism and service. It is housed within the Harry S. Truman Building in Jefferson City and oversees the AmeriCorps programs in Missouri.

Service has always been a big part of Bidwell’s life, so when an old mentor and Girl Scout troop leader reached out to her about this position she jumped at the opportunity.

“I grew up doing community service with my friends and family and participated in Girl Scouts while growing up,” Bidwell said. “I am a Gold Award Girl Scout and am also the vice president of philanthropic service for Sigma Kappa here at Truman, so with this position I get to continue to pursue my love and passion for service.”

National and state service were needing a contact and representative for the north part of the state which made Bidwell a key applicant. She is the designated youth commissioner, which means she is the contact for any program relating to youth and education. Her other roles as commissioner include voting on policies and funding, community outreach and representing the commission and AmeriCorps in northern Missouri. Every year the commission votes to approve or deny funding to each AmeriCorps program application. Commissioners also visit all the program sites and bridge the gap between the community, the AmeriCorps program and the state government.

“There are currently no AmeriCorp programs in this area,” Bidwell said. “I am working on helping fund grants and get programs approved to extend into our area.”

Bidwell is majoring in international education with minors in applied linguistics and women’s and gender studies. She plans to continue her education by participating in the MAE program at Truman to become certified to teach elementary and English as a second language. She is looking forward to what she will learn during her three-year term as commissioner.

The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium is hosting free shows at 5 p.m. every Saturday throughout the summer.

The “Summer of Space” series features a new, unique show every week. Topics for each show are announced on the planetarium’s social media platforms – @trumandome on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – every Monday.

For those not in Kirksville during the summer, the planetarium has created a new online series, “Dome from Home.” Every Friday, short 5- to 10-minute videos are posted on the Instagram account. Topics range from an overview of black holes to a behind the scenes tour of the dome. Followers are encouraged to submit video ideas and questions they would like to see covered in the series via social media or email at planetarium@truman.edu.

Reservations for the planetarium have resumed this summer as well. Area public schools and other outside entities can schedule custom-made shows to match curriculum. Cost to reserve an hour-long planetarium show for educational purposes is $25 per group. Those interested can fill out the reservation form.

More information about available shows can be found at planetarium.truman.edu.

Join a fraternity or sorority. Sign up at fsl.truman.edu/go-greek.

The Student Health Center has at-home COVID tests available. The Student Health Center is open throughout the summer, providing in-person services to students. Summer hours are 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.

The University Board of Governors will meet at 1 p.m. June 18 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available June 27.

David Gillette, professor of economics, recently co-authored three articles with Truman students, all of which can be found on the American Institute for Economic Research website. “All Costs Considered,” written with Caroline Wright, examines cost-benefit analysis in relation to the pandemic response. “Gun Control, States’ Rights, and Bernie Sanders,” co-authored with Lauren Frazier, discusses the complexities of gun legislation and how federal reform might not be the best approach to the issue. “The True Cost of a Hamburger,” written with Warren Barge, looks at the impacts of meat production subsidies. This summer, Barge is interning at AIER in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Gillette will serve there as a visiting research scholar for two weeks in July.