Vol. 28 No. 12 - November 6, 2023

An information session focused on Truman’s online Master of Science in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling will take place at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Del and Norma Robison Planetarium and via Zoom.

Students in this graduate program will gain knowledge of efficient data collection and interpretation techniques. They will also develop the skills needed to communicate the data through evocative and easy to understand visuals. A tech-related undergraduate degree is not required to pursue this program, all majors are welcome.

During this info session, Omar Gasmann, a current graduate student, will share insights about his experience in the data science program and career opportunities. Hyun-Joo Kim, professor of statistics, interim chair of computer science and program director of data science, will discuss the data science program and help students decide if it is the right fit for them. Stephanie Wilson, graduate admissions counselor, will provide information regarding the graduate admission process.

Students interested in attending can register here. Snacks will be available for those that attend in person.

Students who want to live on campus during the 2024-25 academic year can start planning where they and their friends might like to reside.

The housing portal is now open for students interested in living on campus during the 2024-25 academic year. Residence Life is offering new options for next year, including expanded pet housing and more deluxe doubles in some residence halls at the same price as a regular double room, as well as more single-occupancy availability.

In former triple occupancy rooms in Blanton-Nason-Brewer Hall, which were rarely in demand, students will now have the option to secure a deluxe double room for the same price as a standard double. For upper-class students, Campbell Apartments will also offer single-occupancy options for the first time.

“Returning students living on campus have more options than a first-year student because returning students self-select their room earlier,” said Jamie Van Boxel, director of Residence Life. “Returning students can group up with their friends to take over a section of a residence hall or a group of apartments in Campbell. Returning students also have the opportunity to live in larger rooms or in an on-campus apartment with more space with a roommate of their choosing.”

On-campus housing will be available in Missouri Hall, Ryle Hall, West Campus Suites, Blanton-Nason-Brewer Hall and Campbell Apartments. Due to the Dobson Hall parking lot being utilized as a construction staging area, that hall will not be available. As a result, additional options will be available in West Campus Suites and, if needed, Missouri Hall.

“From a community building standpoint, this will allow us to offer a better student experience,” Van Boxel said. “Having more students in some of our more in-demand locations and room types will give students more opportunities to meet one another, make friends and have access to a full range of services.”

Pet housing will still be offered for the 2024-25 academic in the south wing of Blanton-Nason-Brewer Hall. The demand for pet-friendly housing has increased every year since the option was first offered in 2021. More information about pet-friendly housing can be found online.

Students planning to live on campus are encouraged to submit their housing application as soon as possible. Room self-selection begins Feb. 15 for returning students and April 3 for new incoming students. More information regarding the room self-selection timeline can be found online here. Questions about the housing process can be directed to Residence Life at 660.785.4227 or reslife@truman.edu.

At this event, Amy Norgard, a scholar on the receptions of ancient literature in contemporary media, will discuss the mythological underpinnings of the Percy Jackson franchise. The cast and crew of “The Lightning Thief,” led by student dramaturgs Jonah Husgen and Parker Shinn, will perform a scene from the production and lead a discussion about staging mythology in the show.

This event is jointly sponsored by the Theatre Department and the Classics Program.

On the day of his visit, Yonk will stop by the Economic Analysis of Social and Policy Issues course (ECON 345) at 4:30 p.m. to discuss Elinor Ostrom’s work for which she won the Nobel prize in economics. This event is open to the public and all are invited to come.

Tabling at the SUB
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Nov. 7
Student Union Building
Come pick up some swag, learn more about first-generation initiatives at Truman and celebrate First-Gen Pride.

National First-Generation College Celebration Dinner
6 p.m.
Nov. 8
Student Union Building Down Under
There will be food, a speaker and giveaways. RSVP here to help plan for food and dietary restrictions.

“Lighting Your Way as First-Gen”
6 p.m.
Nov. 9
Fountain
As the winter chill embraces our campus, we invite you to gather at the University Fountain for an evening of celebration, hot cocoa and s’mores. The theme celebrates the resilience and determination of first-generation college students who are lighting a path to success.

The Anthropology Club is co-sponsoring an event with Dr. John Smelcer, one of the last native speakers of the Ahtna tribe in Alaska, at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium.

Smelcer will share his favorite tribal myths with Truman students, faculty and families in the planetarium. The planetarium itself will be decorated to look like an Alaskan wilderness, complete with Northern Lights. This event is free and for Native American Heritage Month.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will host a professional clothing drive from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Student Union Building Down Under.
In partnership with the SERVE Center’s Pop-Up Pantry Nov. 9, the Truman community is invited to “shop” the professional clothing drive items. Shoppers may take what they need, but are asked to only take up to five items per person. It is also recommended to bring a reusable bag. No returns will be accepted.

Truman’s Theatre Department will perform “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 15-16 and 2 p.m. Nov. 12 in the James G. Severns Theatre.

This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.

This production features the work of student director Jack Danter. The three leading actors are Lydia Lamb as Percy, Margan Youngstrom as Annabeth, and Parker Shin as Grover. This fast-paced musical features fight choreography by Gael Jenks and dance choreography by Danter.

The show will last approximately two hours with one intermission. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at boxoffice.truman.edu. For more information, contact the Truman Theatre Box Office at 660.785.4515 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Truman will conduct a test of the emergency notification system at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 9.
 
Students, faculty and staff who have signed up to receive Truman emergency alert text notifications will get a TruAlert text and email message letting them know it is a test. Those that have not signed up for emergency text messaging can do so through TruView.
 
To sign up, log in to TruView and click on the “Truman” tab. Click the “Update Emergency Text Messaging Information” under “Update and View My Personal Information” (lower right screen). A maximum of three phones can be registered to receive texts. Confirm information in the same manner.
 
In addition to text and email messages, an emergency alert will be displayed on all Truman computer systems (Windows and Mac) where the Alertus software has been installed. This should include nearly all workstations on campus. There will also be alerts sent to digital signs in Violette Hall, Magruder Hall, Ophelia Parrish and the Health Sciences Building, to the Truman channel on the cable televisions in residence halls, and to classrooms with the Truman touch-pad control system installed.
 
The campus is also encouraged to review the emergency procedures. It is important the entire community is familiar with these procedures to understand how to respond appropriately in several emergency situations.

President Sue Thomas will host the second Coffee (and Chocolates) for the academic year from 1-2 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. The focus of this event is to provide an update on the status of the Kirk Building renovation and a preview of the soon-to-be-housed New Student Success Center and Sustained Knowledge of Integrated Lifelong Learnings Skills (SKILLS) Center. All faculty and staff are invited. An additional subject-focused coffee and two social opportunities for faculty and staff are planned for later in the semester.

The University Art Gallery is located in Ophelia Parrish 1114.  For more information visit gallery.arttruman.com.

A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) is offering Truman alumni and employees a 20% discount on all online master’s and doctorate degree programs.

These online programs afford students the opportunity to study from anywhere and join other ATSU-CGHS alumni as influential leaders in the health professions. Degree programs include master of public health, master of public health-dental emphasis, master of health sciences, master of science in kinesiology, master of health administration, master of education in health professions, doctor of health sciences, doctor of health administration, doctor of nursing practice and doctor of education in health professions.

ATSU-CGHS is a preeminent leader in online health professions education. With nearly 25 years of experience in online education, the school offers an engaging, personal education experience that is student centered. ATSU-CGHS was awarded Exemplary Program status from Quality Matters, a global organization focusing on quality assurance for online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments.

Programs feature asynchronous learning environments to provide the flexibility needed for working professionals to earn a graduate degree, while maintaining a personal touch. Students have opportunities to meet with faculty remotely, are assigned a program-specific academic advisor who is there for them throughout their academic journey, and classroom learning is designed to be applied directly into students’ day-to-day professional lives.

ATSU-CGHS enrollment representatives offer a personal approach in helping students find the right program and in completing the application process. For more information, contact an enrollment representative at 877.626.5577 or cghsonlineadmissions@atsu.edu.

The McNair Program provides academic, social and funding support to students from groups who are historically underrepresented in graduate education. Paid summer research internships, funds for graduate school visits and conferences, and academic counseling are just a few of the benefits the program has to offer. Applications are open now with an extended priority deadline of Nov. 15.

Applicants can visit the Adair House for help with applications Mondays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3-8 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Fridays  8-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Check eligibility here. For more information visit mcnair.truman.edu, email jfreese@truman.edu or follow the program on Facebook or Instagram.

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 2024-2025 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. 19. Visit reslife.truman.edu or email reslife@truman.edu for more information.

CLAS 310: Classical Antiquity on Screen taught by Amy Norgard is available to take in the spring 2024 semester.

This class will study film, TV and video games set in/around the ancient Mediterranean. Particular attention will be paid to how different forms of screen media influence each other and work together to communicate different notions of the ancient past to modern audiences. Class time may be spent in Truman’s Esports gaming facility playing ancient world video games. Students will be able to access the Esports center outside of class to log hours for gaming homework.

This class counts for the arts and humanities perspective and the aesthetic area of the film studies minor. Contact anorgard@truman.edu with any questions.

Truman’s speech and debate team attended an Online Asynchronous Tournament (OATS) and competed in person at the Missouri Mule at the University of Central Missouri and the UNT DeMouget Debate Tournament.

In late September, speech team members competed in OATS. Senior Megan Ford competed in communication analysis and received seventh place. Sophomore Alexis Peterson also competed in communication analysis and received third place. Peterson was also the tournament champion in after dinner speaking. Sophomore Briggs Maynor competed in both informative speaking and poetry interpretation. Maynor received third place in poetry and fourth place in informative speaking. Freshman Bryna Norman received fifth place in program oral interpretation. In individual sweepstakes Peterson placed fourth and Maynor placed fifth. In the overall sweepstakes Truman received fourth place. New qualifications to the National Forensic Association (NFA) include Maynor in informative speaking and poetry, Peterson in communication analysis and Norman in program oral interpretation.

The first weekend of October, the entire forensics team attended the Missouri Mule hosted by the University of Central Missouri. Peterson took third place and Norman took fifth place in after dinner speaking. In communication analysis, Megan Ford received third place and Peterson was the tournament champion. In dramatic interpretation Maynor received sixth place and sophomore Jessie Philips received third place. Seniors Jillian Humke and Ella Schnake were the tournament champions in duo interpretation. In impromptu speaking Humke finished as a semifinalist, Peterson finished in third place and Schnake was the tournament champion. In informative speaking Maynor received fifth place and Ford received third place. Ford also competed in persuasive speaking and received sixth place. In program oral interpretation Norman received second place and Philips received fourth place. In prose interpretation Maynor received sixth place, Peterson received third place, Schnake received second place and Ford was the tournament champion.

Each debater that attended advanced to elimination brackets. In combined junior varsity and varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate, freshmen Jesse Fields and Payten Luaders finished in octafinals (top 16), and sophomore Aiden Bressawitz and senior Elijah Baum finished in quarterfinals (top 8). Senior Eli Bartz finished as a semifinalist and third speaker. Senior Alicia Stout was the tournament champion in Lincoln-Douglas and was fourth speaker. In the novice Lincoln-Douglas freshman Ben Croat finished as a semifinalist and sixth speaker, and freshman Frankie Schuman was the tournament runner-up and second speaker. In both individual events and overall sweepstakes Truman placed second place.

Debaters also competed virtually at the UNT DeMouget Debate Tournament. In the open division Baum finished as an octafinalist and seventh speaker, Stout finished as a quarterfinalist and sixth speaker, and Bartz finished as a semifinalist. In the novice division Croat was placed as seventh speaker and Frankie Schuman finished as a semifinalist and third speaker.

Any alumni interested in judging or students interested in joining the Forensics Union should contact Ben Davis, director of forensics, at bdavis@truman.edu.

Nine Truman clarinet students traveled to Kansas City to compete in state-wide competitions during the 2023 Missouri Music Teachers Association Conference, hosted this year by UMKC, Nov. 2-3. They each performed three contrasting solos for a judge in competition against students from other universities around the state. All nine Truman students received awards, including first place in every category.

MTNA Young Artist Woodwind Competition
Jennifer Jones, winner
Autumn Heath, alternate

MMTA Upper Division College Woodwinds
Brett Barger, winner
Ajdin Krdzalic, honorable mention

MMTA Lower Division College Woodwinds
Lily Schmitt, winner
Colton Kniffen, honorable mention

MMTA Graduate Division College Woodwinds
Yongzhuo Zhu, winner
Irene Pehanich, alternate
Harper Golden, honorable mention

Recipients must be enrolled full-time during the term of the scholarship to receive the full amount. Applications can be submitted and revised at any time prior to the Nov. 27 deadline. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Scholarships, Financial Aid & Loans then Foundation Scholarship Application.  Students will be notified of scholarship awards Jan. 5.

These scholarships are available thanks to the private gifts of alumni and friends of the University.