Vol. 27 No. 30 - May 3, 2023

Nearly all Truman network services are back online and available after a recent cyberattack.

On the morning of Friday, April 21, Truman ITS found evidence of what appeared to be virus on the University network. In an effort to mitigate potential spread, all Truman-issued Windows-based devices and services were powered down and remained inactive, along with the campus network, while ITS responded to the incident. During this time, the University also engaged a firm of outside experts, resulting in a cybersecurity resource dispatched to be onsite throughout the week to help resolve the issue.

ITS promptly alerted law enforcement at the time of the incident and it was verified as a form of malware. ITS worked with agents from FBI field offices in Kirksville, Kansas City and St. Louis, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, on possible solutions.

On Monday, April 24, ITS conducted preliminary assessments of most primary campus workstations at risk for this particular form of malware and began installing a security patch. By Tuesday, April 25, some network services were brought back online. Additional services were restored throughout the week, culminating with the resumption of email service, Friday, April 28.

“Some new technology was at our disposal thanks to our outside partner,” said Donna Liss, chief information officer. “There was a lot of collaboration across University departments and with our external partners to bring this to as quick of a resolution as possible, and we will continue to stay vigilant.”

The exact point of origin for the malware, and how it accessed the Truman network, is still under investigation. While this appears to be a ransomware attack, the University did not make a payment. Specific details about the incident, including the steps Truman took to minimize its effects and the cybersecurity experts the University consulted, will not be disclosed so as not to share potentially valuable information with criminals.

This incident is part of a rash of recent attacks directed at colleges and universities in the U.S. At least 44 colleges or universities, and 45 U.S. school districts, were hit with ransomware attacks in 2022. Since January 2023 there have been 27 confirmed ransomware attacks in higher education.

“While this attack resulted in a major disruption with only two weeks left in the semester, I am enormously impressed and grateful for how our campus responded,” said University President Sue Thomas. “The patience, creativity, resilience and care shown by our faculty, staff and students is remarkable, as is the extraordinary effort of ITS to get our systems operative within a week. What ITS accomplished in such a short time is absolutely amazing.”

At this time, it is not believed any of Truman’s enterprise systems with personally identifiable information were accessed. The University is still assessing what personally identifiable information, if any, may have been accessible in other parts of the network. While there is currently no evidence personally identifiable information was taken, out of an abundance of caution, Truman will provide the opportunity to enroll in identity theft protection free of charge. Information on how to enroll will be provided in the near future.

ITS has prepared a website with tech tips specific to this event that can be accessed at wp-internal.truman.edu/its/updates.

Truman is working with education partners in an effort to be at the forefront of an emerging career field and put students on a path to employment in one of the fastest growing sectors in the country.

The Data Science Pathway Initiative is designed to inspire students to consider a career in data science. The program is funded through MoExcels, an initiative of Governor Mike Parson, and managed by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Truman is using the Data Science Pathway Initiative to promote the University’s various degree and certificate options in the field and to encourage exploration of data science for students of all ages. In addition to traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, the University has avenues for working adults and individuals who already have a degree to supplement their education and increase their earning potential.

A key ally in connecting individuals with careers in data science is Moberly Area Community College. Truman President Sue Thomas and MACC President Jeff Lashley signed a memorandum of understanding April 25 celebrating the schools’ formal partnership in the Data Science Pathway Initiative. Truman and MACC faculty have worked for several months to align their curricula to help MACC students prepare for eventual bachelor’s level study in data science and to jointly promote the career path to their students. MACC benefits by having a wider array of opportunities to present to students while enrolling students who wish to take advantage of their A+ scholarships. Truman benefits by introducing the career path to more prospective students, including the many students in MACC’s dual credit courses in high schools throughout the region.

“Data is an integral component of every industry, and understanding how to work with data will continue to be a more and more valuable skill in the years to come,” said Kevin Minch, associate provost. “By making it easier for more Missourians to get into the field, we are setting them up for personal success, as well as meeting the needs of the future job market.”

Data science professionals are responsible for taking large volumes of information and interpreting them to be used in actionable ways by businesses and organizations. Through a multitiered approach, Truman and partner schools are training participants in data collection and analysis, as well as on techniques to effectively communicate its insights and use data to solve important problems.

During the April 25 signing ceremony, Truman also hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for its new Data Science Teaching Lab in Violette Hall.

“This new Data Science Teaching Lab and our expanded cloud computing resources will give our students a real edge,” said Scott Alberts, professor and chair of Truman’s Statistics Department. “Building on Truman’s excellent backbone of quality teaching and student support, and working with MACC and our other partners, we can prepare students across our data science pipeline, giving them endless experiences and opportunities working with real-world big data. We have current students working in genomics, text recognition, geographic information systems, astronomy, insurance, marketing and pharmaceuticals who will all benefit from these expanded capabilities.”

As Truman has created and invested in its data science programs in recent years, the University is also taking a long-term approach to secure future students. The Data Science Pathways Initiative includes K-12 outreach efforts to inspire students to consider the field as early as the third grade. A team of high school and Truman faculty worked together to develop a series of lesson plans and activities for teachers to incorporate data science concepts into their classes. These have since been presented at a series of workshops in St. Louis, Kansas City and Kirksville. Classroom posters, career brochures and other learning materials have been developed and distributed widely throughout the state.

“This project gets students as early as elementary school thinking about the concept of data and related careers so that when they are in high school and college they can pursue relevant coursework,” said Jeanne Harding, director of Truman’s Institute for Academic Outreach. “Data scientists are strategic problem solvers. Anyone with an inquisitive nature and critical thinking skills can be successful in the field, and there are a number of ways they can get started.”

For more information about all of the data science options available through Truman and its partner organizations, visit data.truman.edu or contact gradinfo@truman.edu.

Truman alumnus Dr. Andrew Dykens, associate professor of family and community medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, will provide the address during commencement ceremonies, May 13.

As a core member of the UIC’s Center for Global Health, Dykens supports its mission to reduce health disparities and improve the health of populations and individuals around the world. In addition to his work as a medical doctor and professor, Dykens is a National Institutes of Health funded researcher whose interests include developing scalable cervical cancer control and prevention programs in low- and middle-income countries. He currently serves as the director of the Global Health Equity Implementation Research Network at UIC’s Center for Global Health.

Dykens is the founding director of the Capacity Strengthening Platform at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health, a global initiative that aims to facilitate institutional partnerships focused on strengthening health care training capacity by connecting local resources to meet community needs.

A desire for global wellness has long been a passion for Dykens. After graduating magna cum laude from Truman with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1997, he spent two years with the Peace Corps serving as a community health and sanitation volunteer in the West African country of Mauritania.   

Dykens graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 2004. While completing a family medicine residency at the University of Illinois Chicago, he also earned a master’s degree in public health.

During his time at Truman, Dykens was a member of the wrestling team. He also was actively involved in Blue Key Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.

Dykens and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Sevilla and Eliana. In addition to spending time with his family and friends, he enjoys traveling, playing volleyball and singing with his girls. He also is competitive in the initial and final 100 meters of an occasional triathlon.

Commencement is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 13 at Stokes Stadium. Additional details can be found online at truman.edu/registrar/commencement.

The annual Academic Honor Awards recognizes outstanding students who have dedicated time, energy and talent to their academic achievements. This year’s ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. May 12 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art    
Karl Eduard Ramberg

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art: Design    
Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art: Studio Art    
Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Classics    
Elana K’Lisa Sanders-Braxton

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Creative Writing    
Outstanding Undergraduate Student in English    
Abbigail Renee Bendle

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in French    
Madelyn Paige Meinhardt

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Linguistics
Malia Gail Johnson

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music: General    
Hannah Huddleston

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music: Pre-Certification    
Miranda Ruth Lee

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music: with Emphasis Groups    
Lucas Shroyer

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Spanish    
Amanda Grace Smith

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Theatre    
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Kelly

Outstanding Graduate Student in English    
Jenna Lynn Manzelli

Outstanding Graduate Student in Music    
Jessica Maria Alvarado Brenes

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Accounting    
Jackson Todd Sefrit

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Finance    
Shannon Marie Wortmann

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: International Business
Amanda Grace Smith

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Management    
Kaelene Ann Leppanen

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Marketing    
Noelle Jean Hogrebe

Outstanding Graduate Student in Accounting    
Emily Isabell Imhoff

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Anthropology    
Ariana Rose Gerard

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Communication Studies    
Madison Paige Post

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Journalism    
Sarah Elizabeth Keenan

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Public Communication    
Lukas Cyrus Francis Pierce

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Economics    
Caroline Grace Wright

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in History    
Kyle Daniel Farrell

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Justice Systems    
Murray Russell Pringle

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Military Science - General George C. Marshall ROTC Award    
Benjamin Lyle Tracy

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Philosophy    
Padraic Christopher Riordan

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Political Science & International Relations    
Yasmine Ghenima

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology    
Nguyen Hoang Duy Le

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology    
Claire Mackenna-Lynne Parson

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Religion    
Ross Cromer Lohman

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Sociology    
Hannah Noelle Kirchner

Outstanding Graduate Student in Leadership    
Ryan L. Miller

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agricultural Science
Iva Lynn Welbourne

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology    
Taylor Renae Bradshaw

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biology    
Cassadi Monroe Forman

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Chemistry    
Samantha Ann Webster

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Computer Science    
Evelyn Schmidt

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Mathematics    
Nicholas Rackers

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Physics    
Murtuza Sarwat Taqi

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Statistics    
Meredith Grace Bayer

Outstanding Graduate Student in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling    
Mark Richard Benmuvhar

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication Disorders    
Taylor Nicole Bringer

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Exercise Science    
Sydney Marie Young

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Health Science    
Allison Kate Oligschlaeger

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Nursing    
Maria Christine Kloeppel

Outstanding Graduate Student in Athletic Training    
Breanna Dawn McNellis

Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Disorders    
Carissa Riney

Outstanding Graduate Student in Elementary Education     
Jay Austin Charles Graham

Outstanding Graduate Student in K-12 Education    
Miranda Leigh Forbes

Outstanding Graduate Student in Secondary Education    
Catherine Tyler Timson

Outstanding Graduate Student in Special Education    
Hannah Elise Barnes

The awards ceremony for the 2023 Leadership Recognition Program took place April 18 in the Student Union Building.

Union & Involvement Services Awards
Athletic Leadership Award
Sydney Mattas

New Student Leader Award
Brooke Wagner

TLC Pass it Along Award
Hannah Branch

Outstanding Student Worker Award
Star Alexander
Kevin Zossoungbo
Sarah Simmons

Senior Leadership Award
Esther Lee
Tenzin Tamang
Kaitlyn Ratliff

Student Excellence Award
Garrett Harding
Elizabeth Musco
Star Alexander

Outstanding Organization Leader of the Year
Fatomata Coulibaly
Tyler Wagner
Payton Petty
Hunter King

E.M. Violette Outstanding Advisor Award
Victoria Mayer
Hayden Wilsey

Outstanding Innovative Program
SAB Drag Show 2023

Outstanding Cultural Awareness Program
African Fair

Outstanding Overall Program
SAB Drag Show 2023

Outstanding New Organization Award
Out-In-STEM

Outstanding Organization Award
African Students Association
Association of Black Collegians

Center for Diversity & Inclusion
Outstanding Advocate Award
Brayden Schoening

Bertha Thomas Outstanding Faculty/Staff Advocate Award
Justine Olson

Department of Residence Life
Outstanding Residence Leader Award
Krishna Chebolu

SERVE Center
Outstanding Student Volunteer Award
Kayla Shilly

Outstanding Organization Award
Beta Beta Beta

Outstanding Service Organization Award
Tau Lambda Sigma

Omicron Delta Kappa
Student Hall of Fame
Fatoumata M. Coulibaly

Faculty Hall of Fame
Victoria Mayer

Fraternity Sorority Life Awards
Academic Excellence
Sigma Kappa
Delta Chi

Sisterhood/Brotherhood of the Year
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Chi

Excellence in Risk Management
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Delta Chi

Outstanding Community Relations
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Delta Chi

Emerging Leader
Kenze Prenger – Alpha Gamma Delta
Jake Higgs – Sigma Phi Epsilon

Living Our Values
Katie Williams – Delta Phi Epsilon
Jackson Sefrit – Delta Chi

Chapter President of the Year
Grace Daughtery – Sigma Sigma Sigma
Lukas Hudson – Delta Chi

Chapter of the Year
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Delta Chi

IFC Man of the Year
Conrad Tibesar – Beta Theta Pi

NPHC Member of the Year
Joey Jolly – Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc

Panhellenic Cady Award Winner
Maggie Munsterman – Sigma Sigma Sigma

Panhellenic Awards
Greek Spirit Award
Alpha Gamma Delta – Kenze Prenger
Alpha Sigma Alpha – Emily Pozzo
Delta Zeta – Jessie Phillips
Sigma Kappa – Melina Campbell
Sigma Sigma Sigma – Sylvia Harding

President’s Cup
Alpha Sigma Alpha

New Member GPA
Alpha Sigma Alpha

Institutional Compliance Office
Leadership in Equity Award
Sami Charleville

Verona S. and David Nichols Award
Kaidince Edwards
Clara Stribling

Forensics earned 16th in the nation out of 423 teams in attendance at the National Forensic Association (NFA) championship tournament that took place at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

The team had 14 students qualify for the tournament and competed in a total of 42 entries, one of the largest entries in recent Truman forensics history. In preparation for NFA, members of the debate team also competed at the fifth annual Grand Prix, a double-elimination round debate tournament.

In debate:

•    Junior Alicia Stout was a double octofinalist (top 20) in Lincoln-Douglas debate at NFA. At the Grand Prix, she was selected to the inaugural NFA-LD All-American Team. She was voted third best in the country by the NFA-LD Coaches Association based on her regular season performance and earned summa cum laude distinction for her 4.0 GPA.

•    Junior Elijah Baum earned eighth place speaker at the Grand Prix, and was also selected as an Academic All-American magna cum laude for his debate prowess and having above a 3.5 GPA.

•    Out of 21 debate teams competing at NFA, the debaters earned eighth place in the nation.

The speech team also performed well at NFA:

•    Freshman Jessie Philips was an octofinalist in poetry (top 48).

•    Freshman Briggs Maynor was an octofinalist in poetry and in duo interpretation with junior Ella Schnake.

•    Freshman Alex Peterson was a quarterfinalist in communication analysis (top 24).

•    Schanke was an octofinalist in poetry and in duo with Briggs, a quarterfinalist in dramatic interpretation, and made it to the semifinal round in prose interpretation (top 12).

•    The speech team placed sixth in the nation in the President’s I Division for medium- to large-entry teams.

Also in attendance at NFA were senior Maya Krump, juniors Megan Ford and Jillian Humke, sophomore Eli Bartz, and freshmen Anna Hans, Aiden Breesawitz and Brynna Seim.

 
Several organizations came together to create a new enjoyable outdoor space on an underutilized portion of campus along Bear Creek.
 
To kick off Earth Week on April 15, a number of organizations worked along the creek southwest of West Campus Suites to the pedestrian bridge between the Student Recreation Center and Centennial Hall. These volunteer groups, along with the help from the Missouri Department of Conservation, cleared and cut brush, collected litter and removed leaves from the area. This was done to create two newly cleared spaces that were outfitted with seating, new native plants and fresh landscaping.
 
One hundred native plants and two cut wood benches were donated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Funding from the sustainability fee allowed for the purchase of large boulders, and student volunteers helped make this project a complete success. The hope is this new seating area will be utilized by students and the public for many years to come.
 
Organizations with members who participated in the project include ECO, Blue Key, TruOutdoors, College Dems, Student Climate Union and Tri-Beta. Jessie Coleman, the Sustainability Office intern, helped organize the student groups in attendance. Truman Grounds also provided some tools and gloves, in addition to removing the brush piles once the project was completed.
 
The main goal of this project was to include student organizations. This project expanded on the idea of “Adopt-A-Highway or Street” used by MoDOT and Kirksville. The groups that participated in the clean-up portion have already agreed to the commitment of assisting with maintaining this area, which is open for the entire campus community to use.

The University will celebrate and honor spring graduates at 2 p.m. May 13 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 along with inclement weather plans.

KTRM-FM is a part of the Truman Media Network, a campus organization dedicated to serving Truman State University and the greater Kirksville area in providing quality news and entertainment to foster a sense of community on campus.

Upward Bound is a college preparatory program for income-eligible area high school students, many of whom will be the first in their families to attend college. Pay is commensurate with education and experience. Applications must be submitted through the Upward Bound website.

New changes to the flexible payment plan will help students stay on track with tuition and spread out their balance throughout each semester.
 
Under the flexible payment plan, tuition is billed in full and paid for in installments. The first 25% payment is due by the end of the first week of class. In the fall and spring, tuition is paid in four monthly installments of 25% each. Summer term billing can be addressed in two installments. The new plan has established due dates for each of the installment payments.
 
The flexible payment plan is available to all Truman students. Because changes have been made, students currently taking advantage of this payment option will need to re-enroll in the flexible payment plan, as well as those who would like to opt-in to the plan for the first time. Students who were previously removed from the flexible payment plan for unpaid balances now have the opportunity to start again with a clean slate.  
 
Signing up for the flexible payment plan is easy, and it can be completed on TruView in just a few minutes. Details on how to sign up can be found here. Students who choose not to sign up for the flexible payment plan by Aug. 25, 2023 will automatically remain on the standard plan, which requires payment in full by the end of the first week of classes.
 
Questions about the flexible payment plan can be addressed to Student Accounts at 660.785.4074, staccts@truman.edu or in person at McClain Hall 105.

Summer hours for SHC and UCS will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will begin May 30. UCS will have remote services available during May interim and summer hours across multiple states including Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Texas.

To schedule an appointment, call 660.785.4182 or email studenthealth@cfmcares.com. More information can be found at truman.cfmcares.com.

The Teacher Store is a resource center where retiring teachers can donate their classroom supplies they have collected through their careers. These materials are free and available to current undergraduate students and current graduate students, especially pre-MAE and MAE, at Truman. This store was started so that beginning teachers could use these donations instead of spending their own money on classroom supplies. The store is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays in Violette Hall 2325. For questions or donations, contact the Education Department here.

Approximately, 132 current and retired employees will be honored for their years of service and their commitment to the University with a Service Recognition Celebration, May 16. A list of the 2023 honorees can be found here.

A retirement reception for Marc Rice will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. May 5 at the Dukum Inn. During the reception a video presentation will be played. Those who wish to record a short video congratulating him as his prolific career at Truman comes to a close can upload a video to this google drive folder by May 4.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available May 8.

Three students and their advisor, Bridget Thomas, recently attended the 95th Annual Convention of Eta Sigma Phi, the national collegiate honor society for the study of classics, in Monmouth, Illinois.

Sarah Holmes, senior biochemistry and molecular biology major; Dominic Caputa, senior physics major; Charan Dyavanapalli, senior biology major; Peyton Williams, senior biology major; and Ainsley LaMore, senior biochemistry and molecular biology major, each presented a poster in the area of drug design and discovery using a variety of computational chemistry techniques. Travel to the conference was financially supported by Truman’s Chemistry Department.

Truman students Ana González, Kayla O’Hara and Katie Welter were selected to be featured in Albrecht-Kemper Museum’s Seventh Annual Undergraduate Juried Exhibition.

This exhibition was open to students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the United States during the 2022-2023 academic year. This year’s 31 exhibiting artists selected for participation come from nine universities in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. All artwork must be the original work of the submitting artist and created within a year of submission. This juried exhibition will feature a Best of Show award after all submissions have been received and reviewed by a panel of judges.
 

Aidan Ervin, graduate percussion student, placed third nationally at the 2023 Southern Illinois Young Artist Competition, March 23-25. Ervin competed with students representing such schools as the Eastman School of Music, Yale, the University of Michigan, Northwestern University and the Curtis Institute of Music. Instrumentalists were required to perform two solos of contrasting styles by different composers in a program of no longer than 15 minutes in length. Ervin is from the studio of Michael Bump, professor of music.