Vol. 29 No. 6 - September 23, 2024

Truman Theatre’s first production of the year, “The Real Inspector Hound,” will run Sept. 26-29 in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish.

A play within a play, “The Real Inspector Hound” is cheeky spoof on the works of Agatha Christie. It features theatre critics Moon and Birdboot as they watch a ludicrous set up of a whodunit murder mystery. Through a comedic whirlwind, the two feuding theater critics comment on the show and get tangled up in the chaos themselves.

Written by Tom Stoppard, “The Real Inspector Hound” premiered in London in 1968. Truman’s production is under the direction of faculty member Randall Bame.  

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26-28, and 2 p.m. Sept. 29, in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at boxoffice.truman.edu or at the theatre prior to each performance. For more information, contact boxoffice@truman.edu.

The popular TruPlus transfer program that allows Truman students the opportunity to receive a scholarship for a 50% discount on tuition is now available for out-of-state students.

Last year, Truman piloted TruPlus, which gives Missouri students with an associate’s degree an incentive to earn a bachelor’s degree at the University. For the 2024-25 academic year, in-state students who have earned their associate’s degree are eligible for half-off tuition on 12-17 credit hours for an annual savings of more than $4,000.

“Cost can be one of the biggest barriers to education,” said Allison Schweizer, director of admission. “TruPlus gives students another path to a bachelor’s degree, and it makes their education more affordable.”

TruPlus is particularly beneficial for high school students utilizing Missouri’s A+ Scholarship Program. Now, students hailing from states with similar programs can stay home to take advantage of free or reduced community college tuition while Truman remains an option for them to earn a bachelor’s degree when they are ready.  

Another advantage to TruPlus is access to academic advising to ensure students are taking the courses that will be beneficial when they transfer. TruPlus students can be automatically admitted to Truman when they apply as long as they meet certain GPA requirements.

“TruPlus streamlines the process for students and helps them take advantage of every academic and economic option they have when pursing their education,” said Schweizer.

Students who participate in TruPlus are still eligible for a number of Truman’s foundation scholarships, which could also make the overall cost of their education more affordable.

The TruPlus option is open to any student with an associate’s degree. There are no requirements related to when the degree was earned or the institution that granted it. For more information about TruPlus and other transfers options available at Truman, visit transfer.truman.edu, email transfer@truman.edu or call 660.785.4114 to talk with an admission counselor.

The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium will participate in a global short-film festival that will allow attendees to vote for their favorite picture.

Manhattan Short 2024 will run simultaneously across the world for a one-week period. The planetarium is one of more than 500 locations around the world to participate in the screenings. The 10 films range in running time from five to 22 minutes. There will be four opportunities to watch, with the planetarium hosting screenings at 7 p.m. Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5. There is no cost to attend the festival.

All 10 films will be screened at every showing, and attendees will be allowed to vote for Best Film and Best Actor. By virtue of their selection by Manhattan Short, each film is automatically Oscar-qualified.

The finalists hail from nine countries with films from Australia, The Netherlands, Italy, France, Croatia, Ireland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom alongside two films from the United States.

“The Talent”
United Kingdom
On the set of a luxury car commercial, an overlooked assistant seizes his chance to get noticed by the star in this lyrical meditation on masculinity, desire and becoming.

“I’m Not a Robot”
The Netherlands
A woman repeatedly fails a computer security test. Suddenly, her humanity is called into question.

“Mother”
Ukraine
At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Katya decides to leave her hometown and take her mother. But mother is getting her nails done.

“Dovecote”
Italy
A small boat navigates the canals of Venice, Italy, only to stop at a women’s prison where an inmate is poised to rediscover freedom.

“Pathological”
United States
A pathological liar wakes up one day to discover her lies have become true.

“Alarms”
France
Pierre is diligently overseeing the completion of the tumultuous construction site under his responsibility, ensuring progress doesn’t come at the cost of safety.

“Favourites”
Australia
Two parents face an impossible choice when their family camping trip goes terribly wrong.

“The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent”
Croatia, Bulgaria, France
Bosnia, 1993: Paramilitary forces stop a train in an ethnic cleansing operation. Only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them. A true story and winner of the 2024 Palme D’Or at Cannes.

“Room Taken”
Ireland
A homeless man moves in with a blind woman who doesn’t know he’s there. A strange bond develops.

“Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
United States
In this period comedy, the sudden appearance of a blood stain stops a marriage proposal mid-sentence.

Truman has again been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest Region by U.S. News & World Report.

The University earned multiple recognitions in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, including another year as the No. 1 public school in the Midwest Region. Among both public and private institutions, Truman was No. 5 overall for the Midwest Region. Notably, Truman was the only Missouri public school to be included in the top 60 spots.

“These rankings are additional validation of the power and value of a Truman education and recognize that through our distinctive curriculum and exceptionally dedicated and caring faculty and staff, Truman students are well-prepared to achieve success,” said University President Susan L. Thomas.

Truman faculty members’ commitment to students helped the University improve in another noteworthy category. Always a fixture in the Undergraduate Teaching Programs list, Truman improved seven spots to tie for the No. 3 position this year. This subcategory, compiled from peer assessment, highlights schools that emphasize providing high-quality instruction to undergraduates. Of the 13 institutions to make this ranking, Truman was the lone public school to be included.

“Our faculty members epitomize a teacher-scholar approach,” Thomas said. “They are highly motivated to share their expertise and knowledge to empower their students. Whether it is serving as a research mentor, advising a student organization or helping arrange an internship opportunity, Truman faculty members put students at the center of what they do, and they go above and beyond to make sure all students reach their full potential.”

As usual, the University fared well on a number of supplemental tabs included in this year’s Best Colleges rankings. Coming in at No. 11 on the list of Best Value Schools for the Midwest Region, Truman was the only Missouri public institution included in the top 40 spots. This ranking was determined by examining key indicators such as: academic quality; the percentage of full-time students receiving need-based scholarships or grants; and the average discount from a school’s sticker price for full-time undergraduates receiving the average need-based grant.

U.S. News & World Report also recognized Truman on its list of Top Performers on Social Mobility, and four of the University’s academic programs – business, computer science, nursing and psychology – again earned inclusion on rankings of their respective disciplines. The entire Best Colleges rankings can be found online at usnews.com/best-colleges.

 
Grammy Award winners Third Coast Percussion will kick off the Kohlenberg Lyceum season with a performance at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.  
 
For nearly 20 years, this Chicago-based quartet has created exciting and unexpected performances that constantly redefine the classical music experience. Whether the artists are speaking from the stage about a new piece of music, inviting concertgoers to play along with a piece or providing an educational performance, the ensemble is known for making a direct connection with the audience. In addition to working with musicians from a wide range of backgrounds, the ensemble has joined with dancers, sound engineers and even architects on creative projects.
 
Third Coast Percussion’s recordings include 19 feature albums, as well as appearances on 14 additional releases. In 2017 the ensemble won the Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for their recording of Steve Reich’s works for percussion. They made history as the first percussion ensemble to win the revered music award in the classical genre. Third Coast Percussion has since received five additional Grammy nominations as performers, and in 2021 they received their first nomination as composers. Their latest nomination, the 2023 album “Between Breaths,” was in contention for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. In just the last 10 years, the ensemble has amassed more than five million listeners and more than 10 million streams on Spotify.
 
Tickets for Third Coast Percussion are free and will be available starting Sept. 10, and can be picked up on campus at any of three convenient locations: the Union and Involvement Office in the Student Union Building; the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 205; or the Admissions Office in the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center. Tickets are also available off campus at the Kirksville Arts Association in downtown Kirksville. Any remaining tickets will be available the day of the event beginning 30 minutes before each performance.  
 
The four members of Third Coast Percussion – Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin and David Skidmore – are also accomplished teachers, and make active participation by students the cornerstone of their educational offerings. The quartet originally met while studying percussion music at Northwestern. Members have degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Rutgers University, the New England Conservatory and the Yale School of Music.
 
As part of their visit to Truman, members of Third Coast Percussion will conduct a free masterclass at 8 p.m. Sept. 23 in Baldwin Auditorium. Open to all members of the community, the masterclass presentation should be of particular interest to area music students.  
 
For more information about the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, visit lyceum.truman.edu or contact the Advancement Office at 660.785.4133.

Foster physical and intellectual wellness with a line dancing session facilitated by Melody Jennings from 12-1 p.m. Sept. 24 in Pershing Building 225. RSVP here.

University Counseling Services will host a weekly group session to assist students with anxiety.

Starting Sept. 26, sessions will take place at 1 p.m. and last 60 to 90 minutes depending on the group size. Cost for group counseling is less than individual counseling. A sliding scale can be applied to help reduce the cost.

For more information visit the UCS, call 660.785.4014 or email UCS@cfmcares.com.

University Counseling Services is operated through a partnership with Complete Family Medicine, a service of Hannibal Regional Health System.

Family Day is a University tradition that welcomes parents, siblings and other family members to Kirksville for a weekend of special on-campus activities, as well as the annual Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival.

The weekend will kick off Sept. 27 with a marching band performance at 4:30 p.m. on the quad. At 7:30 p.m. visiting family members can choose from the theatre production of “The Real Inspector Hound” in the James G. Severns Theatre or a concert performed by the jazz ensemble in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.

The annual Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28 in downtown Kirksville. Exhibitors and food vendors will be located throughout the festival area, which begins at Franklin Steet in front of the Sue Ross Arts Center and extends north to the courthouse and around the square. Artists and crafters come from throughout the Midwest and showcase a wide variety of work including ceramics, jewelry, photography, woodworking, candle making and more.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. there will be a welcome tent set up on the quad where families can receive a free mug and purchase $5 Truman spirit shirts. Younger siblings can get free Future Bulldog t-shirts and tie-dye them at a booth from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the quad while supplies last. Free temporary tattoos will also be available as well. Pickler Memorial Library will host an open house from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for a chance to tour the library and view a variety of historical items in the Special Collections Department. Solar telescopes will also be available for use from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the quad.

Residents and families are invited to create custom door decs and make goodie bags from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the BNB courtyard. Ryle Hall will host a tailgate from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Ryle courtyard. Snow cones and friendship bracelets will be available from 12-2 p.m. in the Missouri Hall lobby. Football will face Wayne State at 1 p.m. at Stokes Stadium. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the gate or online here.

Men’s and women’s swimming will compete at 1 p.m. in the Pershing Natatorium. From 2-6 p.m. families can make origami wolfs and take a picture in the provided photobooth in the BNB courtyard. Various planetarium shows will take place at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium.

In the evening, the Cantoria Family Day concert will take place at 6 p.m. in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall, while comedian Gina Brillon, with Charles McBee as opener, will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. in Baldwin Hall Auditorium. A second showing of “The Real Inspector Hound” will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the James G. Severns Theatre. The Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Events continue Sept. 29 with an afternoon showing of “The Real Inspector Hound” at 2 p.m. in the James G. Severns Theatre. Wind Symphony I and II will also be performing at that time in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.

The schedule will continue to be updated. Visit truman.edu/parents-families/family-day for more information.

Becky Dowil (’04)
Talley Sue Hohlfeld (’82)
Robert Kelchen (’07)
Chuck Woods (’86)
Stephanie Altic (’12,’13)
Adam Antor (’14)
Dan Bellavia (’12)    
Maggie Bennett-Brown (’13)    
Angela Crawford (’08)    
Christy Crouse (’17)    
Mitch Etter (’14)    
Kate Gallen (’08)    
Jon Gill (’09,’11,’12)
Sarah Grace (’13)    
Remi Hampton (’17)    
Gordon Harrison (’08)    
Brian Jacob (’15,’17)    
Jerry Jones (’08)
Marissa LaRose (’08)    
Tuong-Minh Ly-Le (’11)    
Danielle Madsen (’10,’12)    
Maurice Mathis (’09)
Cody Lee Pey (’20)        
Pediatric palliative care social worker, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

Allison Schlobohm (’07)        
Jonathan Terry (’05)    
Evie Townley (’17)
Sarah Vincent (’14)    
Haley Wrisinger (’16)
Recipients of both awards will be featured in events and classroom activities Sept. 27-28. Additional information on these events coming soon.

The campus community is invited to events featuring the 2024 Alumni Fellows and Echo 25 Sept. 27. Recipients of both awards were selected for personal and professional accomplishments. The following events are free and open to the public and a great opportunity to interact with this year’s impressive honorees.
 
Echo 25 Speed Advice Giving Panel
9:30 a.m.
Violette Hall 1000
 
Echo 25 Education Panel
Echo 25 recipients Jon Gill, Brian Jacob, Danielle Madsen
2:30 p.m.
Baldwin Little Theatre
 
Alumni Fellow Fire Side Chat with Chuck Woods
“A Day in the Life of a CFO and Insights from a Life Lived in One of America’s
Iconic Organizations”
3 p.m.
Violette Hall 1000
 
Echo 25 English and Creative Writing Reception with Kate Gallen and Cody Pey
3 p.m.
Baldwin Hall 256
 
Echo 25 Panel “What can you do with a degree in Languages & Linguistics” with Remi Hampton and Sarah Vincent
3:30 p.m.
McClain Hall 305
 
Alumni Fellow Seminar with Becky Dowil
“Intersections of Biology and Business”
3:30 p.m.
 
Alumni Fellow Seminar with Talley Sue Hohfeld
“Beyond the Serial Comma: Why Style Decisions Get Made, and Some Mistakes
Even Good Editors Make”
3:30 p.m.
Villhard Innovation Center
 
School of Science & Mathematics Social Hour with Alumni Fellow Becky Dowil
4:30 p.m.
Magruder Cyber Café

Starting Oct. 1, the Admissions Office will begin hosting “Transfer Tuesdays” for prospective students and their families.

During these virtual drop-in sessions hosted via Zoom, future bulldogs will have the opportunity to connect with dedicated transfer advisors and have all of their questions answers, including transferring credits, exploring scholarships and navigating the admissions process. New students will also learn about Truman’s academic programs and the resources available to support their success both inside and outside the classroom.

First place will receive $10,000, second place will receive $7,500 and third place will receive $5,000. To apply for the Gould Scholastic Award, students must be a University junior, senior or honors program student. Graduate students are not eligible to participate. Group projects are eligible, but if the group wins, the winning dollars are split equally among the members of the group.

Interested students should contact Yung-hwal Park, associate professor of business administration, at yhpark@truman.edu by Sept. 20.

 
The course, “CML 200: Taiwan Connect” (CRN: 6112), is a service-learning experience that begins in the second block of the semester. Classes will take place every Monday evening in Baldwin Hall 309, starting Oct. 14. Before Nov. 3, the class will meet from 6:30-8 p.m., and after Nov. 3, the time will change to 5:30-7 p.m. The only requirement for participation is that students must be native English speakers.
 
Students enrolled in 12-16 credit hours can take CML 200 at no additional cost. For more information or an override to enroll in this course, contact Zhijun “David” Wen, assistant professor of Chinese, at zwen@truman.edu or in McClain Hall 313.

• a US Citizen
• a resident of the state, or attending a college or university in Missouri (students may not register to vote in both your home state and Missouri)
• 17 ½ years of age to register and 18 years of age by election day registered to vote on or before Oct. 9 to vote in the Nov. 5 election

• Students may register to vote in Adair County (the county where Truman located) and vote in person at their local polling precinct on election day.
• Students may request an absentee ballot in their registered county. Registration for an absentee ballot is usually open six weeks before election day. Ballots are due back to the county clerk’s office before the election. Absentee ballots in Missouri require notary service. There are notaries on campus to assist students in the Business Office in McClain Hall and in the Department of Public Safety in the General Services Building. A picture ID is required for notary service.     
• Students may vote absentee in person in their registered county at the county clerk’s office up to 5 p.m. the night before the election. This is for voters who will not be able to vote in person at their regular precinct the day of the election.

Voters should contact the county clerk’s office in the county in which they are registered if they would like additional information regarding this year’s election. Be sure to allow plenty of time before the election to meet the voting deadlines.