Vol. 18 No. 1 - Aug. 22 2013

Features

  • Campus Icon Gets Upgrade

    Cupola Removal.jpg
    Construction crews remove the cupola from Kirk Memorial earlier this summer. The cupola had to be replaced because it could not be made water tight and some of the wood had rotted. The new cupola, which was created to look like the original, is constructed primarily of aluminum, and includes insulation and roofing material to protect the dome structure. The cupola has been a symbol of Truman for years, and in 1996 its weather vane was welded in place to forever point northeast in honor of the University’s previous name. In keeping with that tradition, the new weather vane on the new cupola, installed Aug. 15, was also welded in place to point northeast. To view a gallery of the cupola, click here. As work continues, more photos will be added.
  • Truman Receives NSF Grant for Math and Computer Science

    A recently awarded grant from the National Science Foundation for Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will allow Truman to assist approximately 37 students in math and computer science classes.

    The NSF S-STEM grant will provide academic support in the form of personal tutoring, guest speakers, field trips and discussion panels, as well as career placement support through Truman’s ties with regional industry partners.

    Fifteen of the scholarships will be designated for freshmen, while the remaining 22 will be reserved for upperclassmen.

    Dana Vazzana, Bob Matthews, Alan Garvey, Jason Shaw, Jon Beck and Eric Howard are responsible for securing the $587,144 grant and overseeing its implementation at Truman. 
  • US Bank Makes Donation to Foundation

    US Bank Donation.jpg
    US Bank representatives Wayne Blackman, market president-Kirksville, and David Guidry, branch manager, present a $1,000 check to Mark Gambaiana, vice president for Institutional Advancement. The grant in support of the Truman Fund for Excellence brings US Bank’s cumulative gift support of Truman to $41,135. These gifts have come from outright grants from US Bank and employee matching gifts. Pictured, left to right: Blackman, Guidry and Gambaiana.
  • Book Drive to Benefit Missouri Public Library

    UPDATE: Due to an overwhelming response from the Truman community, this drive has received more books than are currently needed and donations are no longer being accepted. Thank you to all those who have made donations.

    A
    story on National Public Radio has sparked a Truman professor to action and to a partnership with Pickler Memorial Library.

    Chad Montgomery, assistant professor of biology, was inspired by the NPR story of Oregon County Library in Myrtle, Mo., which is attempting to revamp and include more modern books. After deciding to send books from his personal library to aid in their efforts, Montgomery has begun to seek out other books from all genres.

    Pickler Memorial Library is helping in the Oregon County Library book drive by sponsoring collection boxes throughout campus. Collection boxes will be accessible Aug. 26-Sept. 8 in the Magruder Hall Cyber Café and outside the department office in Violette Hall 2100. There will also be a collection box in the library the week of Aug. 22-Sept. 3.

    The library will also utilize the MOBIUS interlibrary loan program to ship donated books to Missouri State University in West Plains, Mo., near Myrtle.

    Questions about the Oregon County Library book drive can be directed to Montgomery at chadmont@truman.edu or Stachia Vorhees at svorhees@truman.edu.
  • Truman's Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi Named "Honor Chapter" for 20th Consecutive Year

    Truman’s Rho Rho chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, was named an “Honor Chapter” for its outstanding activities in 2012-13, the 20th consecutive year the chapter has earned this prestigious distinction.

    Only Marquette University can boast a longer run in the nearly 94-year-history of Sigma Delta Pi: 21 consecutive years to date as an “Honor Chapter.” Also, because it earned “Honor Chapter” status for a complete triennium (2010-13), Truman was one of only nine chapters across the U.S. to be confirmed for the prestigious Octavio Paz Award in 2013, which was the fourth consecutive time Truman has earned this recognition since the award was founded in 2004. In fact, Truman and Marquette are the only two chapters to receive the Octavio Paz Award every triennium (four total) since it was first presented.  

    Lucy F. Lee, Rho Rho chapter adviser and national president of Sigma Delta Pi, has been instrumental in earning the yearly national honors.  

    Each May, nearly 600 chapters of Sigma Delta Pi nationwide are asked to submit an annual report detailing their numerous activities and projects from the academic year. Based on these reports, the National Executive Committee chooses approximately 10-15 “Honor Chapters” annually. This recognition is based upon the caliber of chapter projects that reflect the Sigma Delta Pi mission of honoring excellence in the study of the Spanish language, contributing to cultural understanding and upholding the goals of the society.

    With its national office at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the nation’s only certifying agency for college and university honor societies.
  • Increase in New Students at Truman

    Truman begins the fall 2013 semester with an increase in new student enrollment compared to last year’s class.
     
    This past Saturday, the University welcomed to campus a new freshmen class that includes 1,330 students, an increase of nearly 4 percent compared to last year. The incoming freshmen tout an average ACT of just over 27 and high school GPA of 3.77. More than 80 percent of the students come from Missouri, with the remainder hailing from 23 additional states and 18 foreign countries. A majority of the transfer students, nearly 60 percent, come from 2-year colleges, most of which are located in Missouri.

Announcements

  • University Van Driving Classes

    This is a required class to drive Truman State University fleet full-size vans. Student drivers must also complete the Waiver of Vehicle Usage Policy form available online at police.truman.edu.

    3 p.m. • Aug. 27
    3 p.m. • Aug. 28

    Classes will take place at the General Services Building Conference Room (1st floor)

    Participants must sign up to attend and should allow 2-3 hours for the class. Class size is limited. To sign up, call 660.785.4177 or email joycecook@truman.edu.

  • Activities Fair

    1-5 p.m.
    Aug. 28
    Student Union Building.

    The Activities Fair, sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement, is a way to gather organizations on campus to distribute their information to perspective members and inspire campus involvement of individuals within these organizations in order to provide a well-rounded Truman experience. Contact the CSI at 660.785.4222 for registration information.
  • Thank You

    To all of the students, faculty and staff who volunteered at for Move-In Day and the Picnic on the Mall.

    More than 680 people signed up to volunteer during Move-In Day. In addition to the numerous individual students, faculty and staff members that donated their time, the following organizations also contributed: ROTC, Residence Hall Association, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Kappa Tau, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Newman Center, Alpha Phi Omega, Beta Omega Beta, Cardinal Key, Panhellenic Council Recruitment Team and Gamma Chis, Alpha Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Campus Christian Fellowship, Tau Lambda Sigma, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Phi Lambda Phi, True Men, Student Senate, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Zeta, Momentum, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Tag Improv, Delta Chi, Association of Black Collegians, SSEC, Sigma Kappa, KTRM, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi Delta, Alpha Sigma Gamma, MAP, Sigma Tau Gamma, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Phi Sigma Kappa, Baptist Student Union, University Swingers.

    Those volunteering their time to assist with Picnic on the Mall include: Marsha Redmon, Roger Marsh, Joan Poor, Mark Smith, Kevin Minch, Elizabeth Clark, Sally Herleth, Stacy Tucker-Potter, Neireida Morris, Nylah Evans-Watson, Chelsea Redding, Daniel McGurk, Dustin Lanter, Vicky Wehner, Jonna Hicks, Lori Shook, McKinley Murphy, William Ashcroft, Tyler Madsen, Maggie Herron, Elaine Scudder and Donna Bailey, as well as Lora Cunningham and her professional staff at Sodexo. Thank you for an exceptional, flawless event!


  • Three New Departments Formed

    As of July 1, three new departments emerged from the former Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

    The three departments are now Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science. Susan LaGrassa will serve as the chair for the Department of Mathematics, while Jon Beck will be the chair for the Department of Computer Science and Jason Shaw will serve as the chair for the Department of Statistics. Their three-year terms also began July 1.

    The central office for these departments will remain in Violette Hall 2100 and can be reached at 660.785.4547.
  • Interested in Becoming an Advisor?

    The Center for Student Involvement is looking for potential Organization Advisors for the 2013-2014 Academic Year. An advisor is a resource for students and will serve as an advocate for an organization. To find out more about advising or submit an interest form, faculty and staff can go to csi.truman.edu/advisors.asp or contact Shelby Sims, program advisor, at ssims@truman.edu.

  • SAB Applications Now Available

    Student Activities Board fall membership applications will be available starting Aug. 22 in the SAB Office, located in the lower level of the Student Union Building, and online at sab.truman.edu. Driven and creative students who are passionate about what happens at Truman are encouraged to apply. Applications can be turned into the Center for Student Involvement, located in the HUB, until 5 p.m. Sept. 10. Those selected for interviews must be available Sept. 13 and Sept. 14. Any questions can be forwarded to John Riti, SAB president, at jjr1468@truman.edu, or stop by the SAB Office weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • New Student Welcome

    5-7 p.m.
    Sept. 5
    Downtown Kirksville

    The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Merchants Committee and Kirksville businesses are inviting all Truman, A.T. Still University and Moberly Area Community College students downtown for a Kirksville welcome. Businesses, churches and organizations will have tables set up on the courthouse lawn offering coupons, product samples and more. There will be live entertainment and free food with a Truman ID. Contact the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce at 660.665.3766 for more information.
  • Retirement Reception: Vera Piper

    3-5 p.m.
    Sept. 13
    Student Union Building Activities Room


    RSVPs are preferred by Sept. 10 and can be made through the Office of Advancement by phone at 800.452.6678 or 660.785.4133, or by email at alumnievents@truman.edu. For more information, contact Brad Chambers at 660.785.4133.  

  • Family Day

    If you have an event scheduled on campus for Family Day, Sept. 21, please email heidi@truman.edu so the event can be added to the Family Day schedule. The current schedule is available at truman.edu/familyday.
  • Mark Your Calendar: Kohlenberg Lyceum Series

    2013-2014 Schedule

    Sept. 14
    Step Afrika!

    Nov. 7
    Liverpool Legends Beatles Tribute Band

    Dec. 7
    Kansas City Chorale Holiday Concert

    Feb. 10
    Othello
    American Shakespeare Company

    March 22
    A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    Minnesota Ballet

    Details on each event will be available soon at lyceum.truman.edu.
  • Outreach Coordinator Position Available

    The Northeast Coalition for Roadway Safety is seeking to add an outreach coordinator the west/north area, including but not limited to, Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Macon, Schuyler and Scotland counties. This individual will assist with outreach and educational opportunities that support the coalition goals (ex. visit schools for Battle of the Belt, attend safety events, etc.), and must be professional and have excellent interpersonal skills. The individual is compensated by the coalition for their time when participating in events. For more information, call Marisa Christy-Kerns at 660.385.8257.
  • Fulbright Opportunity in South Korea

    Starting in the 2014-2015 program year, Korea will offer 10 Fulbright Korean Studies Graduate Degree Grants that will fund candidates in master’s degree programs in Korea. The award will provide full tuition support and will be renewable for all grantees that maintain satisfactory academic standards. Candidates must apply to and gain admission to a Korean University. Applicants must pursue a graduate degree in Korean Studies or focus their program on Korea in some way (for example, international economics with a focus on Korea or political science with a focus on the Korean peninsula). The full description of the grant is available on the Fulbright website at www.us.fulbrightonline.org/countries/selectedcountry/66. For more information, contact Maria Di Stefano at mdistefa@truman.edu.
  • Next Issue

    The next issue of the Truman Today will be available online Sept. 3.

Notables

  • Notables

    Professor of foreign language Tom Capuano’s “Nine Technical Treatises for the Practical Professions in Spain: Electronic Texts and Concordances of Selected Texts on Agriculture, Sericulture, Commerce, and Medicine, 1400-1777,” was published in May by the Hispanic Seminary of Medieval Studies in New York. Since the late 1980s, thanks to Truman’s generous support for undergraduate research and its institutional and scholarship student worker program, Capuano has been able to mentor numerous students in the techniques of transcription of medieval and early modern manuscripts and printed texts for the Dictionary of the Old Spanish Language project sponsored by the Hispanic Society of America in New York. The transcriptions these students helped prepare, while intended primarily as a source of specialized vocabulary for the Dictionary project, represent relatively rare and unstudied texts on diverse practical arts (commerce, medicine, horticulture, etc.) dating from as early as 1400. The texts featured in this collection are:

    1) Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad’s (“Ibn Wafid,” flourished 11th century) Compendio o Suma de agricultura, in MS 10.206 of the Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid; the preliminary transcription was done by research assistant Daniel Stites (‘99);

    2) Aritmética práctica, a collection of excerpts from the Liber abaci by Fibonacci, transcribed with an introduction by Raymond Feilner (’06);

    3) Tratado contra toda pestilencia & ayre corrupto preseruatiuo y en parte curatiuo attributed to Alonso Espina;

    4) Libro de medecina llamado Macer (Andrés de Burgos, 15270); preliminary transcription by research assistant John Becker (‘05);

    5) Agricultura de jardines by Gregorio de los Rios; the 1645 edition (Madrid: Carlos Sánchez) transcribed and corrected by Anthony Baldwin (’12);

    6) The 1777 edition of the same text (Agricultura de jardines) by Amanda Kleifoth (’00) with corrections by Kelly (Schute) Ponte (‘10);

    7) Discursos del pan, y del vino del niño Jesus by Diego Gutiérrez de Salinas; summarized in 1605 as the Sumario; transcribed by Noelle Striplin (’91);

    8) Despertador, a 16th century treatise on the fertility of Spanish soil; preliminary transcription by Stephanie Noll (‘01);

    9) Arte nuevo de criar seda, transcribed by Jeremy Loscheider (‘00) with corrections by Anthony Baldwin (’12).

    Stephanie Foré, professor of biology, and Hyun-Joo Kim, professor of statistics, published their paper “A conceptual model of the Amblyomma americanum life cycle in northeast Missouri,” with their formal MathBio students Drake Bouzek and Jenni Bevell, in The Journal of Vector Ecology.
     
    Stephanie Foré, professor of biology
    , and Hyun-Joo Kim, professor of statistics, published their paper “Modeling the influence of Peromyscus leucopus body mass, sex, and habitat on immature Demacentor variabilis burden,” with their formal MathBio student Tad Dallas, in The Journal of Vector Ecology.

    Gregory Jones, professor of music, returned to Greece and Albania in July and August 2013 to perform as a trumpeter and conductor and present master classes in several cities. Stops on his tour included Athens and the island of Corfu in Greece along with Saranda, Berat and Tirana in Albania. On the island of Corfu, Jones was a guest for the Eleventh International Ionian Music Academy hosted by the Melos Brass Quintet of Greece. He conducted wind and brass ensembles and also performed as a trumpet soloist during the festival. He has returned to Greece several times since 1995 when he lived in Athens as a Fulbright Artist in Residence, the first time a musician received this honor.

    Hyun-Joo Kim, professor of statistics, and Stephanie Foré, professor of biology, published their paper “Model Selection Criteria for Overdispersed data and its Application to Host-parasite Relationship” in Environmental and Ecological Statistics. Joseph Cavanaugh, professor of biostatistics at the University of Iowa, and Tad Dallas, a formal MathBio student, also contributed to the paper.

    At its 49th Grand Chapter Conference in Seattle, Washington, Delta Sigma Pi recognized Truman’s Iota Nu Chapter and the Chapter Advisor. The Iota Nu Chapter won the Outstanding Service Award (2012-2013) for the Gateway Region and the South Central Province. Chapter advisor, Debi Cartwright, professor of business administration, was awarded Chapter Advisor of the Year (2012-2013) for the Gateway Region and the South Central Province.

Events and Activities

  • Upcoming Events

    InterFraternity Council (IFC) Info Night will take place from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 23 in Violette Hall 1000. Sponsored by Greek Life. For more information, call 660.785.4222.

    The Student Activities Board (SAB) will sponsor a Welcome Back comedian at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 in Baldwin Auditorium. For more information, call 660.785.4722.

    The Back to School Bash
    will start at 3 p.m. Aug. 23 on the Student Union Building Mall. There will be live music, free food, prizes and games. Sponsored by SAB, Student Senate and the Center for Student Involvement. For more information, call 660.785.4222.

    The Summer Research Symposium
    will take place from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Students involved in research, scholarship and creative projects during the summer will present. There will be a reception in the Ophelia Parrish South Atrium following the presentation. For more information, call 660.785.4410.

    The Greek Interest BBQ
    will take place from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 25 on the Mall. Students will have a chance to meet and ask questions to members of Greek Life. Free food and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 660.785.4222.

    The Student Activities Board (SAB) will sponsor hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti
    at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 in the Student Union Building HUB. For more information, call 660.785.4722.

    The Activities Fair
    will take place from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 28 in the Student Union Building. For more information, call 660.785.4222.

    InterFraternity Council (IFC) Rush Sign-ups will be conducted from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 3-6 in the Student Union Building. The IFC Rush Assembly will take place from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 6 in Violette Hall 1000. For more information, call 660.785.4222.

    The Career Center will sponsor a Peace Corps Presentation
    from 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 5 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. A Peace Corps recruiter will show a video, talk about the program and what they look for in applicants, and answer questions. For more information, call 660.785.4353.

    The 21st Annual McNair Research Presentations
    will begin at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Schedule and abstracts can be found here. Reception with light refreshments will follow the last presentation. For more information, call 660.785.5393.

    A retirement reception for Vera Piper will take place at 3 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Student Union Building. For more information, call 660.785.4124.

    The Prospective Majors Forum in Philosophy and Religion
    will take place from 4:30-5:50 p.m. Sept. 13 in McClain Hall 209. Jennifer Jesse, chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department, will present, “Bill Blake in Babylon: A Case Study in the Liberal Arts.” For more information, call 660.785.4655.

    The Study Abroad Fair will run from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Students will be able to meet with students who have previously studied abroad, as well as faculty and sponsors from partner institutions abroad. Free snacks and refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by the CIEA. For more information, call 660.785.4215.

COVID-19 Updates

  • Upcoming Events

    Rubin Brown Info Table
    10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Aug. 26
    Violette Hall
     
    Menards Info Table
    10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Sept. 10
    Violette Hall

    BKD Info Table
    10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Sept. 10
    Violette Hall

    Farm Bureau Info Table
    10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Sept. 11
    Violette Hall
     
    RubinBrown On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 16
    Career Center
     
    WireCo WorldGroup Info Table
    Sept. 16
    Violette Hall Commons
     
    Boeing Business Systems Data Warehouse Info Table
    Sept. 16
    Violette Hall-Computer Science
     
    Art Serratelli, Immigration Attorney
    6 p.m.
    Sept. 17
    Student Union Building Conference Room (SUB 3000)
     
    Mueller Prost On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 19
    Career Center
     
    Deloitte On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 19
    Career Center
     
    KPMG On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 20
    Career Center
     
    UHY On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 23
    Career Center
     
    Novogradac and Company, LLC On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 24
    Career Center
    Grad School Prep (registration required)
     
    Ernst & Young On-Campus Interviews
    Sept. 25
    Career Center
    Grad School Prep (registration required)
     
    PWC On-Campus Interviews
    Career Center
    Sept. 26
    How to Work a Career Fair/Networking (pre-registration recommended)
     
    Career Week Kickoff/Fireside Friday
    Sept. 27
     
    Career and Grad School Week
    Sept. 30-Oct. 3

    Emerson Electric On-Campus Interviews
    Oct. 1
    Career Center
     
    Total Quality Logistics Info Table
    Oct. 1
    Violette Hall Commons
    Career Center Logo Online.jpg
  • Sweet Internship Contest

    The Career Center is hosting a photo contest open to all students participating in internships, practicums, field and/or research experiences, directed teaching experiences and the like. Submit your photo and description online at career.truman.edu/InternshipsandJobs/photocontest.asp for a chance to win a prize to be awarded in the early fall. Deadline for entry is Aug. 30.
  • Peace Corps Presentation

    The Career Center will sponsor a Peace Corps Presentation from 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 5 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room A. A Peace Corps recruiter will show a video, talk about the program and what they look for in applicants, and answer questions. For more information, call 660.785.4353.

Scholarship Opportunities

  • Scholarship Opportunities

    Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants will be awarding up to $1,000 each year to a scholarship winner. To apply, students will submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of their website at abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm.

    AES Engineers is committed to continuing its support of higher education by providing scholarships to deserving students. To be eligible the student needs to answer one of the essay questions that they will find online at aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm. A $500 scholarship will be awarded on the basis of character, as determined by evaluating the essays that are submitted. Deadline for entry is Oct. 4.

    The Streamline Refinance Scholarship for Finance and Economics is now available. Details can be found at streamlinerefinance.net/finance-economics-scholarship.html.

    U.S. Bank will award 40 scholarships of $1,000 through a random drawing process. Undergraduate students attending an eligible four-year college or university participating in the U.S. Bank No Fee Education Loan Program are eligible to apply. Further details regarding this scholarship opportunity can be found at usbank.com/scholarship.

    A-Z Printing has announced a scholarship opportunity for students in the amount of $1,000. More information about this “Impact a Life” college scholarship may be found at raffleticket.com/raffle-tickets-scholarship.html. Deadline to apply is Dec. 31.