Vol. 18 No. 16 - Jan. 13, 2014

Through the support of Truman’s education alumni and a generous estate gift, the James and Margaret Mudd Teacher Recognition Scholarship provides ongoing recognition of excellence in education.

This month, graduating seniors have the opportunity to recognize a high school educator/counselor whom they feel made a positive impact on their academic growth. The chosen teacher/counselor will then receive an invitation to be formally recognized and participate in Truman’s spring commencement. To further acknowledge the recipient, a $1,000 scholarship in their honor will be awarded to an incoming Truman student from the teacher’s/counselor’s high school.

Since its origin as a normal school in 1867, Truman has been committed to providing a strong teacher education program. Over the years more than 8,000 teachers have received preparation from the University, and the program is deeply rooted in the University’s history.

Graduating seniors will receive an email this month with nomination process instructions. The nomination deadline will be Feb. 7. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Teacher Recognition Scholarship fund may do so by contacting the Truman State University Office of Advancement at 660.785.4133.

Effective Jan. 1, the office formerly known as the Truman Institute became the Institute for Academic Outreach (IAO). At the same time, Kevin Minch, director of the Truman Institute and professor of communication, assumed the title of associate vice president for academic affairs.

These changes were implemented to clarify the responsibilities of the office for external as well as internal audiences, and to better reflect the current scope of its portfolio.

The Truman Institute name was fitting, and sufficiently broad when the office was created in 2009. However, the name resulted in confusion when talking to potential partners off campus. The new label is more in keeping with language used to describe offices across the country that manage continuing education, extension efforts and lifelong learning programs.  

“The new name better reflects the range of projects we’re currently working on,” Minch said. “We are now managing multiple summer programs—both international and domestic—summer and interim sessions, conferences and events, professional development programming, online instruction, early enrollment programs and some limited aspects of graduate education.”

In a day where search engines play such an important role in marketing and recruitment, “Truman Institute,” Minch said, hasn’t provided sufficient specificity to point users to the right resources on campus.

The Institute will retain the moniker “Truman Institute Summer Academies” as the umbrella title for its growing portfolio of summer programs for youth to maintain continuity with existing marketing. The Institute will also maintain its existing web domain at institute.truman.edu.

Departments doing business with the Institute, or referring to its activities in campus communication, should switch to the new labels. Questions about the name change may be directed to 660.785.5384 or kminch@truman.edu.

In an effort to continually improve the learning experience at Truman, Information Technology Services (ITS) recently converted Baldwin Hall 156 into the University’s newest “smart” classroom.

Smart classrooms incorporate multiple technologies, which allow instructors to engage their students more fully with the material presented in class. Common features in C-Level (smart) classrooms include: a SMART or other interactive whiteboard; a podium outfitted with instructional technology tools; and a lecture capture system.

Due to its large size and need for renovation, Baldwin Hall 156 was selected to receive technology upgrades. Last summer, Physical Plant employees cleared the room, built new walls to cover exposed pipes, installed more sustainable and economic lighting, created new walkways and lowered the ceiling for better aesthetics and acoustics. Following that, the ITS Classroom Technology Support Team worked with a Kansas City-based business to outfit the space with various cutting-edge features.

A variety of disciplines took advantage of the room during the fall semester, including classes in nursing, English and Spanish. The room will be used for several classes in the spring semester, including writing and language classes, as well as classes in nursing.

The ITS team is continually looking for ways to make classrooms better for students and instructors. The inspiration for Baldwin Hall 156 came when Diane Richmond, director of Learning Technologies, attended a conference showcasing a new learning studio on the campus of St. Louis University. At Truman, Richmond and the ITS team work with faculty and the academic administration to identify classrooms that should be targeted for renovation or specialty upgrades. In addition, surveys of faculty and students are regularly conducted to evaluate the best ways the ITS team can meet their classroom needs.

With the addition of Baldwin Hall 156, Truman now has a total of 15 smart classrooms on campus, including two more rooms in Baldwin Hall, two each in Barnett Hall, Ophelia Parrish and the Health Sciences Building, one each in Magruder Hall and Pickler Memorial Library and four in Violette Hall.   

For more information about Truman’s smart classrooms, visit learningtechnologies.truman.edu/classrooms.

Fred D. Gray, the civil rights attorney for Rosa Parks, will present a free public lecture entitled “Bus Ride to Justice,” followed by a question and answer session, at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 in Baldwin Auditorium.

Gray came to prominence working with Martin Luther King Jr., E.D. Nixon and Rosa Parks during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. In addition to other notable cases, he also represented plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.  

In lieu of an honorarium from Truman, Gray requested a $10,000 donation be made to the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center. Ekklesia Campus Ministry has coordinated the effort to help raise those funds. They have received assistance from the Funds Allotment Council, Student Senate, the Communication Department, the School of Social and Cultural Studies, Multicultural Affairs Diversity Grant, the President’s Office and numerous private donations. For more information on how you can help raise additional funds by eating at Ruby Tuesday on Jan. 20, contact Barry Poyner at bpoyner@truman.edu.

Study Abroad Scholarship applications for 2014 are now available through the Truman State University Foundation.

Applications are online and due by midnight of Jan. 23. To apply, log in to TruView, go to the Student Tab, Student Finances, Foundation Scholarship Applications.

Available scholarships include the Holman Family and Rigdon Family study abroad scholarships. These larger study abroad scholarships are designated for students with financial need. To access the application, students must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

Applications for the majority of Foundation scholarships, including smaller study abroad scholarships, will be available in February for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The School of Business at Truman has maintained its business accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business programs. Today, there are 687 business schools in approximately 50 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation.

The Truman School of Business enrolls 840 undergraduate students in three degree programs—Bachelor of Science in accounting, Bachelor of Science in business administration and Bachelor of Arts in business administration. The School has 42 students enrolled in the Master of Accountancy program. The faculty and staff in the School of Business leverage the University’s liberal arts mission to graduate students who are articulate communicators, good team players, effective problems solvers and ethically-grounded decision makers.

“The hard work and dedication of the School’s faculty and staff create an outstanding learning environment for our talented students. They model collegiality and professionalism for our students on a daily basis,” said Debra Kerby, dean of the School of Business. “The extension of AACSB accreditation recognizes the School’s efforts to provide an exceptional learning experience for students and to develop a professional workforce for Missouri and the larger Midwest region.”

To learn more about the School of Business, visit business.truman.edu, or to learn more about AACSB International accreditation, visit aacsb.edu/accreditation.

Bill VanPatten of Michigan State University will present “What Everyone Should Know About Second Language Acquisition (And Some Comments on Implications for Language Teaching)” at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. VanPatten is internationally known for his work in second language acquisition (SLA) and second language instruction, especially for the relationship between theory and practice.

At Michigan State he is a professor of Spanish and second language studies, the director of language instruction and an affiliate faculty member of the cognitive science program.

This presentation is sponsored by the School of Arts and Letters, the Classical and Modern Languages Department and the Department of English and Linguistics.

Are you driven, creative, and passionate about what happens here at Truman? If so, the Student Activities Board (SAB) is taking new members and would love to meet you!

Spring membership applications will be available starting Jan. 13 in the SAB Office (lower level SUB) or online at sab.truman.edu. Applications can be turned into the Center for Student Involvement (located in the HUB) until 5 p.m. Jan. 28. Those selected for interviews must be available Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

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.

This year the Student Recreation Center has teamed up with Live Healthy America and Hy-Vee to host a 10-week wellness challenge for students, faculty and staff. More information about the 10-week challenge, as well as other special programs sponsored by the Student Recreation Center, can be found at recreation.truman.edu/trufit.asp. Information about Hy-Vee’s events can be found here.

Truman and the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA), a non-profit fitness professional association, are co-sponsoring two nationally recognized workshops.

Group Exercise Certification
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Feb. 22
Potential and current fitness instructors will learn basic academic and practical application of teaching group exercise. No college, science or teaching background is required. Workshop registration includes a full-day review, written exam and two-year certification.
Workshop fee: $299
Earlybird fee if registered before Jan. 23: $249

Re-Boot Camp
8 a.m-1 p.m.
Feb. 23
Come experience this exciting and newly revamped boot camp workshop that combines power, function, agility, speed, cardio and high intensity interval training. Indoor or outdoor, equipment or no equipment, this class covers it all, including a variety of ways to structure workouts to keep them fresh and keep clients guessing.
Workshop fee: $109

To register, call 800.237.6242 or go online to netafit.org. The NETA Group Exercise Instructor workshop and certification will take place at the Student Recreation Center. For questions, email mwalton@truman.edu or call 660.785.7739.

Robert B. Graber, professor emeritus of anthropology, served as guest editor for a special issue, devoted to liberal education, of the higher education journal On the Horizon. It can be found online at emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=1074-8121&volume=22&issue=1&PHPSESSID=lrc4qvhkiqg0t272phhorsij36.  

Kim Murphy, purchasing agent in the Business Office, recently earned recognition from the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) for receiving the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) credential. Murphy was among 249 professionals who successfully completed the CPPB examination in October. Established in 1964, this prestigious certification is an outstanding honor for individuals employed in the public procurement profession and is an asset to their specific division of governmental administration. To date, 9,574 procurement professionals have achieved this accomplished status. To become certified as a CPPB, candidates must demonstrate through an application process that they meet specific requisites established by the UPPCC; including formal education, procurement related coursework/training, public procurement experience and functional management experience. A comprehensive written examination is required to confirm the candidate’s mastery of the body of knowledge for public procurement professionals. The CPPB certification recognizes only those professionals who have fulfilled these prescribed standards of competency in public procurement.

McKenzie Tate received the Outstanding Future Professional of the Year Award in Health Science at the MOAHPERD (Missouri Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Banquet in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Nov. 16. The award honors future professionals in the state and focuses attention on the work they have accomplished. It also provides an incentive for future professionals in Missouri colleges and universities to continue to strive for excellence in their professional preparation. Each university selects one outstanding future professional from each degree program. Qualifications for this award include an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher, professional involvement and evidence of leadership.

Truman’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students has been designated honorable mention, and named a Distinguished SPS Chapter. The designation is based on an assessment of the depth and breadth of SPS activities conducted by the chapter and presented in its chapter report in such areas as: physics research; public science outreach; physics tutoring programs; hosting and representation at physics meetings; providing social interaction for chapter members; and participation in SPS regional and national level programs. Based on the activity and level of student engagement, Truman’s chapter is among the top 20 percent of all 772 chapters.

Twenty-five Truman students traveled to Chicago, Ill., to participate in the 2013 American Model United Nations Conference, Nov. 23-26. Students portrayed Venezuela and the Syrian Arab Republic in this large conference, which consists of more than 1,500 participants from 93 universities. The students prepared for the event during the semester in a course taught by Meg Edwards, temporary assistant professor of political science. Truman was recognized with an Outstanding Delegation Award for Venezuela’s General Assembly Plenary Committee, as portrayed by George Allan Jr. and Paul Davis.

“Pioneer Programmer: Jean Jennings Bartik and the Computer that Changed the World,” a recent publication by the Truman State University Press, was featured on the front page of the Dec. 9 issue of the Kansas City Star.

Amnesty International will present Sister Helen Prejean, author of the New York Times Best Seller “Dead Man Walking” at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 in Baldwin Auditorium. She will discuss life, death and social justice as she shares her thoughts and experiences about her journey to abolishing the death penalty.

Parabole, a student-run one-act drama incorporating art, music and mime to tell the developing religious story of love and humanity, will be performed at 7 p.m. Jan. 17, 19 and 20 in the Student Union Building Down Under. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on, but some will be provided. This year marks the third annual production, sponsored by the Independent Performance and Art Coalition.

The Pre MMEA Concert-Concert Percussion Ensemble I will take place at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

The Career Center will sponsor a Peace Corps presentation at 3 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room C.

A public reception for “Apocalyptic: Artwork, poetry and thought about the end,” will take place at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 in the University Art Gallery. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome.

Guest artist Pius Cheung will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. The concert will feature traditional and contemporary solo works for marimba. Admission is free. Co-sponsored by the School of Arts & Letters, Department of Music Artist Series and the Center for Multicultural Affairs.

Guest artist Josh Quinlan will lead his jazz quartet in concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

The IAA Foundation will award 74 scholarships to students majoring in agriculture, agri-business or a related field, as well as many scholarships open to any major. These scholarships are for Illinois residents. More information can be found at iaafoundation.org. Application deadline is Feb. 1.

Applications for Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarships are now available at hy-vee.com under company info. Forty $1,000 scholarships will be given out to high school seniors and an additional 40 scholarships worth $1,000 will be given to college students for the 2014-2015 academic year. These scholarships are limited to employees of Hy-Vee (student employees or parents who are employed by Hy-Vee). For more information on qualifications and how to apply, go to hy-vee.com. Applications must be postmarked on or before Feb. 10.

Marketing EDGE is offering nine different marketing scholarships for the 2014 academic year. For more information or to apply, visit marketingedge.org/students/marketing-scholarships. Deadline for application is May 9.

The Rural Students Scholarship Essay Contest is now available to all high school seniors and full-time college students in the U.S. with a 3.0 grade point average. Sponsored by Blaze Wifi, this scholarship worth $500 is designed to promote digital literacy and higher education in underdeveloped and potentially at-risk rural areas of the U.S. Full scholarship guidelines are available at blazewifi.com/scholarship. Deadline to apply is May 30.