Vol. 28 No. 29 - April 15, 2024

The 2024 Student Research Conference will take place April 18 as a hybrid event.

This conference is an annual opportunity for students to present the research they have conducted under the guidance of Truman faculty. Undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines were invited to present their scholarly or creative work. A full conference program and all presentation abstracts can be found online at src.truman.edu. The abstracts can be electronically browsed and extensively searched.

Face-to-face oral presentations will take place in the Student Union Building and Magruder Hall. A list of presentations that are scheduled for each session can be found in the conference schedule.

More information about the conference can be found here or by emailing osr@truman.edu.

Marco Ilardi will speak at 12 p.m. April 25 in the Doug & Diane Villhard Innovation Lab located in the Pickler Memorial Library, as part of the TRU-Entrepreneur Speaker Series.

Ilardi has been a managing partner at V2 Ventures for the past six years. He has officially funded, built and sold a total of eight companies in the digital publishing, advertising technology and marketing technology industries. Ilardi is renowned for nurturing enduring relationships and fostering innovative talent. His pivotal role in launching, growing and selling successful digital marketing companies showcases his visionary insight, unwavering dedication and passionate commitment to innovation.

Proficient in digital strategy, mobile advertising, performance-based marketing, audience development and product development, Ilardi’s impressive background also includes being the former president at Adknowledge and senior vice president at FOX Interactive Media. His dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and driving innovation firmly establishes him as a prominent industry leader.

Alex Peterson and Ella Schnake of the Truman Speech Team competed in the American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in early April and finished 17th in the open division.

They competed against 58 of the top teams and hundreds of the most talented competitors in the nation. Despite only having two members representing the team, Truman Speech outperformed teams such as Northwestern University, Seton Hall and South Dakota State University. Truman Forensics has not attended the NST in more than 15 years, making this outing a special addition to the team’s history.

A double-major in political science/international relations and sociology, Schnake made it to the semifinal rounds in extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking and prose interpretation, placing among the top 12 in the nation in each event. She was also a quarterfinalist (top 24) in both communication analysis and dramatic interpretation.

Schnake was also acknowledged as a member of the AFA All-American team, a prestigious honor recognizing students for their strong dedication to and high achievements in forensics, service responsibilities and academics. She has maintained a 4.0 throughout her career at Truman, was the president of Delta Zelta sorority on campus, is an advocate for Missouri children and family services, served on the University Board of Governors, is a leader on the speech team and has an extensive record of success in forensics speech and debate. Some of Schnake’s most noteworthy accomplishments include earning first place in the pentathlon category at the Missouri state tournament the past three years, being named the top forensicator in Missouri the past two years, third place in dramatic interpretation and sixth place in duo at the 2023 Pi Kappa Delta national tournament, among multiple other state championship titles and national outround performances.

Peterson, a double-major in criminal justice and social issue advocacy, earned their spot in the quarterfinals for both after-dinner speaking and impromptu. Due to AFA’s more rigorous competition, getting to any outround at the tournament is a great accomplishment, and making it to two outrounds as a sophomore is extremely rare.

Previously in March, members of the debate team competed online at the third annual Grand Prix Lincoln-Douglas (LD) nationals warmup tournament, hosted by Western Kentucky University. The debate team earned a collective third place finish out of 19 schools.

At the Grand Prix, seniors Alicia Stout and Elijah Baum were recognized as members of the All-American team, highlighting their robust achievements in academics and debate throughout their respective undergraduate careers. Stout has also maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her career, and Baum has maintained above a 3.5.

Some of Stout’s most prominent accomplishments include the second place national runner-up and sixth place speaker in LD at the 2023 Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament. As a sophomore, she was a double-octofinalist (top 32) and fourth place speaker at NFA nationals in 2022. Baum has consistently placed in outrounds at the MAFA state tournament throughout his entire time on the debate team, making it to the quarterfinal round (top eight) in both his junior and senior years.

Baum earned his spot as an octofinalist (top 12) and open 10th place speaker at the tournament, and Stout made it to the semifinal round (top four) and was first place speaker in the open/varsity division.

Freshman Ben Croat was the tournament champion and first place speaker in the novice division at the tournament. Croat also received an Emerging Debater of the Year award for his outstanding record of competitive success throughout his first year as a collegiate debater.

Freshman Payten Luaders placed as the 10th speaker in the junior varsity division.

Stout, Baum, Croat and senior Eli Bartz were all recognized as National Debate Scholars at the tournament for their impressive academic records and high achievements in debate.

All of the debaters competing at the Grand Prix are currently political science and international relations majors at Truman.

“Seeing these students do so well in both school and forensics is so inspiring, and I’m lucky to work with such motivated and talented students,” said Ben Davis, director of forensics.

The team has one remaining tournament left this year, the National Forensic Association (NFA) national tournament, hosted at Central Michigan University. The team leaves April 16 for the week-long competition that will conclude their season.  

Students interested in joining the Forensics Union should contact Davis at bdavis@truman.edu or visit forensics.truman.edu/joinus.

Truman Media Network students attended the Missouri College Media Association and Missouri College Broadcast Educators joint conference, April 6.

TMN took home a total of 35 awards with multiple first and second place awards. The Index placed second for Best Overall Newspaper in division two and second for Multimedia Website. The MCMA and MBEA conference joined with the National Scholastic Press Association and Journalism Educators Association’s convention. NSPA and JEA host a national journalism convention for high schoolers every fall and spring.

The convention offers sessions to its attendees with topics from journalism ethics to page design. Lillie Morisaki, managing editor of The Index, attended the conference for the first time this year. She said she most enjoyed a session about the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case.

“I am an English major, so my only interaction with journalism is through working with The Index,” Morisaki said. “The conference was a great experience to hear experts talk about how I can grow in my knowledge of journalism.”

First Place
•    Editorial Writing – Sydney Ellison, Lillie Morisaki, Grace Potter, Genevieve Tlustos
•    Feature Page – Sydney Ellison, Genevieve Tlustos
•    In-Depth News Reporting – Genevieve Tlustos, Gracie Doolin
•    Nonpolitical/Entertainment Cartoon – Heather Beard
•    Sports Column – Michael Lakey
•    Multimedia Website – Staff
•    Show Promo – Mark Fisher, Lauren Frazier
•    Special Programs – Ali Werner

Second Place
•    Sweepstakes – Staff
•    Best Overall Newspaper – Staff
•    Column – Mara Callhan
•    Information Graphic – Heather Beard
•    Investigative Reporting – Sydney Ellison, Grace Potter
•    News Writing – Genevieve Tlustos
•    Page One Design – Maddie Morris, Sydney Ellison
•    Story Illustration – Maddie Morris
•    Station Promo – Mark Fisher, Charlie Phillips

Third Place
•    Column – Quinn Sloan
•    Editorial/Op-Ed Page – Sydney Ellison
•    Information Graphic – Sydney Ellison
•    Page One Design – Sydney Ellison, Rahul Chaudhari
•    Sports Page – Lillie Morisaki
•    Air Check – Libby Marcus
•    Station Promo – Mark Fisher, Quinn Sloan, Madison Backes
•    Station Promo – Abby Richmond

Honorable Mention
•    Editorial Writing – Geneveive Tlustos, Sydney Ellison, Sami Harris, Lillie Morisaki
•    Entertainment Review – Joseph Doughtery
•    Entertainment Review – Liza Catlin
•    Photo Page – Geneveive Tlustos, Rahul Chaudhari
•    Sports Page – Lillie Morisaki
•    Sports Writing – Michael Lakey
•    Air Check – Toby Parker
•    Air Check – Taylor Baldwin
•    Podcast – Leighya McNeely

James Carter will discuss his distinguished career in political public service during a presentation at 7 p.m. April 25 in Violette Hall 1010 as part of the Economic Speakers Series.

Carter has been active in political public service since graduating from the University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, followed in 1993 by a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University. He has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations in the capacities of: The National Economic Council; deputy assistant secretary for economic policy in the U.S. Treasury; deputy undersecretary for international affairs and senior advisor to the secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor; chief economist and senior tax advisor in the U.S. Senate Budget Committee; and director for the Center of American Prosperity. He currently serves as a senior fellow for the America First Policy Institute.

During his presentation, Carter will speak on networking lessons learned through a lifetime career in public service working across the aisle with both political parties. He has served on the Board of Directors of BIPAC, a bipartisan organization working to improve the political climate in America, and on the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter. He has taught “Politics and Public Policy” at George Washington University and “The Practice and Politics of U.S. Tax Policy” at Johns Hopkins University. Carter is also a member of the Business-Government Relations Council and founder and proprietor of Concerned Economists. He has authored more than 200 publications in national newspapers such as Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Politico, among others.

For nearly a decade, Carter was vice president of government affairs at Emerson, a diversified global manufacturing and technology company based in St. Louis. In addition to managing Emerson’s global, federal and state government affairs, his lobbying portfolio included tax policy, international trade and management of the company’s political action committee.

Since his time at the University Carter has continued to give back to his alma mater, helping more than 20 Truman students serve in internships in Washington, D.C. He is a 2014 recipient of Johns Hopkins University’s “Excellence in Teaching” award, and he appeared in season three of “House of Cards,” playing a U.S. senator.

Carter’s presentation is sponsored by the Department of Economics. It is free and open to the public.

Truman’s Giving Week will take place from 8 a.m. April 22 to 5 p.m. April 26.

In celebration of National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, Truman’s Giving Week gives beautiful bulldogs the chance to come together to make a difference for Truman students by giving back. Matching funds are available for the following campaigns thanks to the generosity of lead donors.

Bertha Thomas Legacy Scholarship
The Bertha Thomas Legacy Scholarship was established in 2023 to honor Thomas for her substantial contributions to students, campus and the Kirksville community. Thomas spent the majority of her career as the assistant dean of Multicultural Affairs where she helped create safe spaces and support systems for all students, especially those from historically underrepresented groups. Gifts to the Bertha Thomas Legacy Scholarship will be matched 1:1 up to $3,000 through the generosity of Floyd Simpson III (’02).

Embedded Tutoring Program
The Embedded Tutoring program places a tutor in select classrooms to assist student learning. Classes with embedded tutors have increased overall GPA and students self-report higher grades. Gifts to the Center for Academic Excellent Embedded Tutoring program will be matched 1:1 up to $3,000 through the generosity of an anonymous sponsor.
Farm-to-Table Initiative
Farm-to-Table is a collaboration with the University Farm to bring healthy, fresh, organic produce and goods directly from the nearby land to the dining hall tables. The Farm-to-Table Initiative also provides educational opportunities for students, allowing them to learn about supply chains and the importance of eating locally and in-season. The first $4,300 donated to the Farm-to-Table Initiative will receive a 1:1 match thanks to the generosity of Cindy Spiker (’93) and Michele Hoyne (’90).

Forensics
Students in the Truman Forensics Union compete in both in-person and virtual events. Gifts to the Forensics Fund will be matched 1:1 up to $10,000 through the generosity of Nishant Bhajaria (’03) and an anonymous alumni couple. At the same time, $5,000 are eligible for a 1:1 match from the start, and an additional $5,000 in matching funds are available if 50 individuals donate to the Forensics Fund during Giving Week.

Gregg Nesbitt Football Scholarship
Gregg Nesbitt spent 40 years coaching and 14 seasons as Truman’s head football coach. This scholarship honors his retirement and his many years of service to the University. Nesbitt is succeeded in his role by his son, Kellen Nesbitt, who served as assistant head coach since 2010. Gifts to the Greg Nesbitt Football Scholarship will be matched 1:1 up to $10,000 through the generosity of McLeod Express, LLC which is owned by Mac McLeod (’85).

Health and Exercise Sciences Experiential Fund
The HES Experiential Fund will allow students to travel to present research, attend conferences and deepen connections with Truman alumni and health and exercise sciences faculty. The fund is designed to provide multi-purpose support for students to participate in experiences that will expand their understanding of their academic field and their future careers. Gifts to the HES Experiential Fund will be matched 1:1 up to $12,500 through the generosity of Calaneet Balas (’97).

In celebration of the impact of Truman donors, members of the Foundation Board are offering a 2:1 match to a Foundation fund of choice.

More information about the featured campaigns is available online and will be shared on the Truman Alumni Facebook page. Donors who give $70 or more in the month of April are also eligible to receive an exclusive Truman-branded puzzle.

Pickler Memorial Library is launching the new FOLIO platform May 22. FOLIO will be a fresh foundation on which the library can build new and innovative services.

Work is already underway to move MOBIUS and Pickler Memorial Library to the FOLIO library platform. As part of the migration, MOBIUS will temporarily suspend requesting through the MOBIUS catalog and on-site borrowing at other MOBIUS libraries, April 18. Requesting will be re-enabled May 22 when the new catalog launches.

Starting May 7, online access to library accounts will be unavailable until the new system is in place. Reading history will not migrate to FOLIO and must be printed before May 7 in order to keep it.

For more information about the migration, visit the library’s website. Any additional questions can be directed to the Library Service Desk at 660.785.4533 or one of the research and instruction librarians.

Delta Sigma Pi is collaborating with the Student Recreation Center to host “Yoga in the Quad” at 5 p.m. April 16 to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Tickets are $5 and can be paid via venmo @caroline-jcd. All are welcome to attend the event. Participants need to bring a yoga mat or towel for the session and come 10 minutes early to check in. Sign up here.

The students in HIST 3000/303: Ancient Gender and Sexuality, taught by Josh Nudell, are teaming up with students in CLAS 311: Ancient Medicine, taught by Amy Norgard, on a project called “The Body, Disease and Medicine in Antiquity.” This collaborative poster project showcases the intersection of viewpoints of gender and the body in the ancient Mediterranean. Poster topics will include ancient cosmetics, athletics, midwives, menstruation, gladiators and dieting, among others.

All faculty, students and staff are invited to attend. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

They will be tabling from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 15-16 in the Student Union Building and April 17 in Magruder Hall. Sleep awareness goody bags will be available.

Students can also enter for the chance to win a “bedtime basket” with various sleep items. The winner of the basket will be announced at the “Storytime with Sue” event at 7:30 p.m. April 17 in the Student Union Building Hub. Students are encouraged to bring blankets and pillows and wear their favorite pajamas. Snacks will be provided. Stickers for National Pajama Day, April 16, can be picked up in McClain Hall 202.

Truman's Theatre Department will perform “The Rocky Horror Show” at 7:30 p.m. April 19-20 in the James Severns Theatre.

This irreverent show follows Brad and Janet, a young engaged couple whose car breaks down in a storm, forcing them to seek shelter in a neighboring castle inhabited by the sensual Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his minions. Brad and Janet are introduced to Frank-N-Furter’s servants, the reclusive scientist Riff Raff, the alluring maid Magenta, and one of his most devoted sycophants, Columbia. Frank-N-Furter reveals he has been working on crafting the apex of humanity, a creation named Rocky Horror, for his own devious purposes. The castle’s resident phantoms and a narrator with a flare for the dramatic help usher the story along. Unforgettable songs, dazzling costumes and a live cast will have people dancing in their seats.

This production is intended for mature audiences 18 and up. 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.

AgSc 306: Market Gardening will be selling produce grown at the University Farm from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 16, April 23 and April 30 in front of the Student Union Building.

The Annual Juried Student Exhibition will run through April 25 in the University Art Gallery. A closing reception for the exhibitions will take place 3-4 p.m. April 18.

This year’s guest juror is artist Lorena Molina. She is currently an assistant professor of photography and digital media at the University of Houston. She’s also the founder and the director of Third Space Gallery, a community space and gallery that supports and highlights BIPOC artists in Cincinnati. Molina will give a virtual artist talk at 2 p.m. April 22.

For several years Molina has been exploring questions about identity in the margins. She views margins as a place where violence and pain happen, but also a place for resisting, dreaming and healing. Her exhibition, “This must be the place,” will be on display March 19-April 25, and includes images of still life arrangements, landscapes and portraits that represent and attempt to piece together what her identity in the margins looks like. Her exhibit seeks to show her place in the world outside of the trauma, thus creating a place that allows for joy and beauty.

All exhibitions are free and open to the public.

The Hanami Japanese Club is hosting a Sakura walk-in cafe from 3-7 p.m. April 20 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. Volunteers are needed and welcomed. Those that volunteer will receive additional free food tickets allowing them to enjoy a selection of delicious Japanese delicacies while participating in the event.

Truman’s literary magazine, Windfall, is accepting submissions of poetry, prose and art from currently enrolled students. Submissions should be sent to windfallmagazine@gmail.com.

Single ticket prices for Carmina Burana are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts and are encouraged to attend. Tickets are available now at qsoa.org.

This program supports candidates who demonstrate leadership, character and academic performance. It is open to students who started higher education right after high school, as well as adult learners who are now pursuing or returning to complete a degree. Additionally, these students have a vision, are eager to make their contribution to the world and have the work ethic to bring their dreams to fruition.

The scholarship application period runs through May 15. More information, including details on how to apply, can be found here. The scholarship amount can vary based on an applicant’s circumstances. The general range will be $2,000-$5,000 based on expected family contribution (EFC), unmet need and other factors.

Applicants must: be a Missouri resident; be an undergraduate second-, third- or fourth-year student for the 2024-25 academic year; enrolled full-time and making satisfactory academic progress; and have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher. Recommendation from an instructor, counselor, advisor, current or recent supervisor, community leader or other similarly qualified individual is required.