Vol. 27 No. 13 - November 14, 2022

 
Truman will celebrate Tag Day, Nov. 15.

The goal of Tag Day is to show appreciation to donors who have given back to the University, as well as to raise awareness of how they impact day-to-day life at Truman. Hundreds of items around campus will be marked with special purple tags highlighting the fact those items were made possible by a gift.

Donors have a measurable impact in tangible ways, including the dance statue, the bell wall, the Joseph Baldwin memorial statue and many other items across campus. As well as tangible items, donors also provide support through scholarships and student learning experiences.

Hot chocolate will be provided from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the plaza with an opportunity to sign a thank you for donors.

 
In the most recent installment of “Tea Time with Sue,” University President Sue Thomas welcomed Curran Prendergast, director of bands and associate professor of music.
 
Prendergast, currently in his ninth year at Truman, guides all aspects of the band and graduate instrumental conducting programs. He conducts Wind Symphony I and II, and directs the Statemen Marching Band. During their conversation, Prendergast touched on the excitement of conducting and the significance of the “Shenandoah” to so many band alumni.
 
The entire podcast conversation can be found on the Truman Spotify channel. Follow Truman on social media for video excerpts from “Tea Time with Sue.” The complete video is also posted on the Truman YouTube channel.

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. New episodes will be announced in the Truman Today as they become available. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

Students may request to have an immediate family member who is a Truman emeritus faculty or staff, current full-time faculty or current full-time staff present their diploma at the Dec. 17 commencement ceremony.

Family member, for purposes of the diploma presentation, means grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, spouse, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, step-son, step-daughter, step-grandson, step-granddaughter of the presenting Truman faculty, staff, emeritus faculty or emeritus staff.

In order to request the presentation contact Kaytee Wood in the Registrar’s Office at kwood@truman.edu no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 1 and provide the following information:

Candidate’s Information:
•    Degree Candidate’s name
•    Candidate’s pronoun(s)
•    Candidate’s degree (BA, BFA, BM, BS, BSN, MA, MAc, MAE, MAT, MS) and program name (example: BS in Accounting)
•    Candidate’s email address
•    Candidate’s phone number

Presenter’s Information:
•    Presenter’s name
•    Presenter’s Truman employment title/position
•    Presenter’s email address
•    Presenter’s phone number

Family presenters are expected to be dressed in full academic regalia. If the presenter does not own these items, a cap and gown may be purchased through the University Bookstore.

The next Global Issues Colloquium event, “Music Education in China,” will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 in Baldwin Hall 114.

Xin Gao, professor of saxophone and music theory, will present on the role of music in the educational system of China. In his talk he will reveal some of the critical elements of Chinese education, the roles of music within the education system and the place of Western music within that system.

The event is free and open to the public.

A new crop will soon be popping up at the University Farm.

Bob Johnson, assistant professor of agricultural science, recently applied for and received a specialty crop block grant from the USDA. The two-year award of more than $17,000 will help establish a mushroom cultivation yard at the farm.

“Mushrooms are fun to grow, and we currently have no mushroom production at the farm, so this will be a start,” Johnson said. “They are also a potential income generator for northeast Missouri farms because they can turn unusable land on the edge of pastures into potential profit.”

Once a functional mushroom yard is established, Truman will host workshops for local farmers, ranchers and anyone interested in starting their own production. Johnson predicts the University Farm will produce a variety of mushroom species, including Stropharia, oyster, shitake and lion’s mane mushrooms.

In addition to workshop attendees, the campus and local school district will see an immediate benefit to the farm’s new crop. Johnson estimates the program could produce hundreds of pounds of mushrooms each year, and much of the yield will be shared with Sodexo for use in the campus dining halls. The Kirksville School District will also be able to incorporate techniques from the farm into its garden curriculum at Ray Miller Elementary School in an effort to build awareness of Missouri specialty crops.

Parts of the University Farm will be prepped for production later this semester, and local workshops are expected to began in early 2024 after a functioning yard has been established.

Due to work on a transformer by Centennial Hall, the Student Recreation Center and the Student Union Building will have a delayed opening at 9 a.m. with Einstein’s opening at 10 a.m. Nov. 15.

Truman’s chapter of Psi Chi is hosting a Psychology Graduate School Exposition from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. There will be representatives from various psychology graduate programs hosting tables to discuss their programs. Refreshments will be provided. This event is open to all students.

Union & Involvement Services is hiring a homecoming coordinator for 2023.

This position will start as soon as possible and will continue into the 2023-2024 school year. Students graduating in the spring of 2023 will not be considered due to the inability to complete job responsibilities. Review of applications will begin Nov. 29. In addition to completing the application on TruPositions, resumes must also be emailed to homecoming@truman.edu.

Applicants who have submitted completed applications with all required materials will be contacted for interviews after review of applications. Applicants who do not submit all materials will not be considered to have completed their application and will not be considered for an interview.

Not all candidates will be interviewed. Preference will be given to candidates that fulfill all requirements stated in position description. By submitting an application, U&I Services is allowed to verify academic record.

The School of Business is now accepting applications for the spring 2023 position of communication intern.

The intern will assist with the production of the annual magazine, Pedigree. The position will require four hours per week for the spring 2023 semester. Applicants should have a strong background in writing and editing. Business and communication majors are encouraged to apply, with special consideration given to candidates with knowledge of Associated Press Style.

To apply, send a resume, an advising transcript, two writing samples and contact information for two on-campus references to the School of Business, 2400 Violette Hall, no later than Dec. 1. For questions about the internship, contact Becky Pike at bpike@truman.edu.

Truman’s Upward Bound program is currently accepting applications for spring 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 students can access application materials here.

Dr. Phillip W. Magness, an economic historian specializing in the “long” 19th century United States and general macroeconomic trends, will give a lecture at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Violette Hall 1010.

Magness’ broad research extends to the economic history of the United States and includes historical tariff policy, the federal income tax and the relationship between taxation and wealth inequality. He also researches the economic dimensions of higher education and the history of economic thought.

For his talk at Truman, Magness will present his work surrounding the New York Times’ 1619 Project. Magness is a leading expert on Black colonization during the Civil War era and studies the political economy of slavery in the Atlantic world, particularly its relationship to public policy. As the author of “The 1619 Project: A Critique,” he will evaluate the merits and problems with the project’s narrative.

Magness has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas and a Master of Public Policy and a Ph.D. from George Mason University. He specializes in policy history and has taught at Berry College, George Mason University and American University. He currently directs research at the American Institute for Economic Research.

Installation of the virtual anatomy tables began in the summer and continued into the fall. They will begin in-class use in the coming weeks.

Health Science capstone students Jemma Walker and Logan Woodruff are inviting students and faculty to participate in their capstone project. They will host informational seminars at 5 p.m. Nov. 15 and Nov. 17 in Violette Hall. The seminar on Nov. 15 will cover relationships and relationship health within the LGBTQIA+ community and will take place in Violette Hall 1428. The seminar on Nov. 17 will encapsulate sexual health within the LGBTQIA+ community and will take place in Violette Hall 1010. For questions, contact Walker at nlw4731@truman.edu and Woodruff at ldw3552@truman.edu.

Applications are now being accepted for summer internships at the following locations in Missouri:

•    Independence: Harry Truman Presidential Library (full-time, 9 credits)
•    Kansas City: National World War I Museum (part-time, 4 credits)
•    Kirksville: Judicial Archives Project (part-time, 4 credits)
•    Olathe, KS: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop-Farm (part-time, 4 credits)
•    St. Joseph: St. Joseph Museums (part-time, 4 credits)
•    St. Louis: Field House Museum (part-time, 4 credits), Missouri History Museum (part-time, 4 credits), Mercantile Library (part-time, 4 credits)
•    Springfield: MSU Special Collections and Archive (part-time, 4 credits)

The summer internships are open to all Truman students and are especially relevant for those considering careers in archives, museums and teaching. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until all positions are filled. Email jasonmcd@truman.edu to find out what the internships entail and how to apply.

Throughout the remainder of the fall semester, people will be able to join Roberta Donahue, professor of health science, for Fresh Start Fridays. This TruSolutions initiative seeks to offer accessible yoga and stretching activities to promote a balanced culture of wellness and academic focus. The sessions will occur from 2:30-3:30 p.m. every Friday in Pickler Memorial Library 308. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat: a limited number of mats will be available for those without one. For questions, contact Donahue at rdonahue@truman.edu.

The Office of Admission is looking for orientation leaders to welcome and introduce all first-year students and their families to Truman during summer orientations. Orientation allows students to enroll in classes, discuss transitional issues with current students and staff and begin to make friends at Truman.

Applications are due Dec. 14. Applications and full job description can be found at truman.edu/ol. Contact Michaela Elsbernd, orientation leader coordinator, with any questions.

Paint the way through the landscapes of Morocco, engage in preservation work with large mammals in South Africa or take Spanish to the next level in Spain. These three May interim and summer 2023 faculty-led study abroad adventures are now open for application. Substantial partial scholarships are available. Apply now for consideration.

Residence Life is looking for students who will create welcoming environments, develop connections with students and foster a learning-centered community to apply as student advisors for the 2023-2024 school year. Student advisors will have their room and meal fees fully covered.

Anyone enrolled in classes, has lived on campus for at least one semester once employed and maintained a 2.75 GPA, is qualified to apply. The application is open now until Jan. 20. Visit reslife.truman.edu or email reslife@truman.edu for more information.

Junior and senior students could win up to $250 from Truman, and $10,000 nationally, through the Robert L. Gould Scholastic Award competition.

SS&C, a financial technology company, sponsors the annual Robert L. Gould Scholastic Award to recognize outstanding university students who produce academic papers on topics related to investment management strategies, theories and trends.

• As we continue to explore technology in our everyday lives, how do you see technology changing the interactions we have and the types of interactions as it relates to investing?    
• As technology is explored in everyday lives, how could gamification impact or encourage appropriate investing behaviors and what are the real or potential positive and negative consequences of using gamification in this environment?  
• Given the advancements in technology, how is or will investment advice and portfolio construction change in the next 3, 5 and 10 years?
• As a consumer of that future state, what are your expectations surrounding engagement with those financial products and the brands that manufacture them?

In addition to the national award, the University will offer cash prizes to the top three papers from Truman students. Locally, first place will earn $250, second place will receive $150 and third place will get $100. All three will be submitted to the SS&C for the national competition.

Papers should be submitted to Chuck Boughton, instructor in business administration, at boughton@truman.edu. Polished drafts are due by Dec. 9 with final paper submission due Jan. 15. Submissions should be in Word format only. Local awards will be announced after the Jan. 31 submission to the Gould judges. For more information email boughton@truman.edu.

SS&C is a global provider of investment and financial services and software for the financial services and health care industries. Named to Fortune 1,000 list as top U.S. company based on revenue, SS&C is headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut, and has 25,000+ employees in more than 100 offices in 40 countries. Some 20,000 financial services and health care organizations, from the world's largest institutions to local firms, manage and account for their investments using SS&C's products and services.

In 2018, SS&C acquired DST Systems, Inc., which was founded and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Gould was president of DST from 1984 until his death in 1987. He had a distinguished career in the financial services industry and was known for his creative and results-oriented style. Prior to joining DST, Gould was president of Fidelity’s Service Company in Boston.

Truman has received eight black chokeberry shrubs from the Project CommuniTree program through the Forest ReLeaf of Missouri free tree program. Yvette Amerman, resource forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation, picked up the shrubs for Truman, as well as others in the community. Three of the new shrubs were planted under the bridge between McClain Hall and Baldwin Hall. The other five were planted by the new storage building across from Stokes Stadium.

On Nov. 18 c-stores will close at 4 p.m., Starbucks and Einstein’s will close at 3 p.m., Main Street will close at 4 p.m., Missouri Hall will close at 1 p.m. and Ryle Hall will close at 1:30 p.m. All locations will be closed until Nov. 28.

Meal plans will be prorated during the week of Nov. 28, 21-18 meals, 18-15 meals, 15-12 meals and 12-10 meals. All locations will resume normal hours of operations Nov. 28.

ITS would like to remind faculty and staff to regularly update the software on their primary Truman machines via Ivanti. Click here for a video walk-through for a refresher on how to do that. Contact the IT Service Desk at 660.785.4544 with any further questions.

Last week, some users reported difficulty accessing Zoom meetings. This was due to the Zoom software on their machine being out of date.

The speech team attended the 75th annual L.E. Norton Memorial tournament hosted by Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where a total of 244 students were present competing in more than 639 entries.

• Freshman Briggs Maynor placed sixth in novice program oral interpretation.
• Freshman Alex Peterson placed second in novice impromptu speaking and communication analysis, fourth in novice persuasion, fifth in novice after dinner speaking and was semifinalist, top 12, in novice prose.
• Freshman Jessie Philips finished third in novice poetry.
• Junior Ella Schnake finished fifth in varsity dramatic interpretation, and was a semifinalist in varsity prose and poetry.
• Also in attendance at the Norton Tournament were juniors Megan Ford and Jillian Humke and freshmen Anna Hans and Brynna Seim.

In Bloomington-Normal, debaters competed in Lincoln-Douglas at the Redbird Debate Tournament hosted by Illinois State University. Freshman Aiden Breesawitz was an octafinalist, and junior Alicia Stout was the tournament champion, earning her place as second speaker.
Junior debater Elijah Baum and freshman Daniel Nzoiwu were also present at the Redbird.

Seven Truman music students recently competed in the 2022 Missouri Music Teachers Association Collegiate Woodwinds Competition in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, hosted by Southeast Missouri State University, Nov. 3. Each student performed three contrasting solos for a judge, who provided feedback and awarded prizes.

Truman students Bryce Lewin, Lucah McCullough, Austin Newton and Mary Wilkinson visited the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City, Missouri, Nov. 4. This field trip is part of the Judicial Archives Project internship they are completing this semester under the supervision of Mary McIntosh, local records field archivist, and Jason McDonald, assistant professor of history.
Pictured left to right: Bryce Lewin, Lucah McCullough, Mary McIntosh, Austin Newton and Mary Wilkinson in the microfilm storage room.

Two Truman students and a recent grad presented at the annual meeting of the Missouri Folklore Society, Hannibal, Nov. 5. Stephanie Aitken (’22) shared her work on sign-wars among local churches, analyzing images from online and collected while traveling. Taylor N. Libbert, master of arts candidate, applied Colin Woodard’s model of subnational cultures to map influences on Missouri folkways. Grace Marshall, history major, presented fieldwork on “Folk Card Game Traditions Among Midwestern College Students.” All three are folklore minors.