Vol. 18 No. 32 - May 19, 2014

Truman State University announces the appointment of Dr. Susan L. Thomas as executive vice president for academic affairs, effective July 21, 2014.

Thomas was selected for the position after a national search. She currently serves as associate provost for academic planning and program development at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.


“Dr. Thomas brings a wealth of experience, both academically and administratively, and she will be a valuable asset to Truman,” President Troy D. Paino said. “Her views on education fit nicely with our mission, as she is dedicated to providing the best educational experiences possible to ensure students’ intellectual, personal and professional growth.”

Thomas’ educational background includes a Ph.D. and two master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She earned her Ph.D. in social psychology in 1988, after obtaining her M.B.A. in administrative management and a Master of Arts in social psychology in 1987 and 1986 respectively. Thomas graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.  

“I am so honored and thrilled to be joining the Truman community,” Thomas said. “I look forward to working with the exceptional faculty, staff, administration and students in the pursuit of academic excellence to achieve the University’s commitment to the highest goals of a liberal arts and sciences education.”

Thomas has worked at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville since 1991. In addition to her most recent position there, she has also served as the assistant provost for planning, and she is a tenured member of the psychology faculty. Prior to her arrival in Edwardsville, Thomas was an assistant professor of psychology at Central College in Iowa, and conducted post-doctoral research through Brown University-Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island.

Jeremy Byers, instructor in military science, received the 2014 "Educator of the Year" award at the annual Accolades of Academics banquet, which took place April 23 in the Student Union Building.

Byers teaches leadership courses for Truman’s ROTC program. He was chosen for this award based on his dedication to encouraging students to become leaders in and outside of the military science department, support from countless students and colleagues, and his devotion to converting the radar station north of Kirksville into a space that benefits both the Military Science Department and the University at large.

In addition to Byers, finalists for this award included Katherine Jackson, Jerrold Hirsch, Donald Krause, Beverly Peters and Debra Cartwright.

Carolyn Cox, professor of Health Science, was awarded the "Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year" award.

Cox has mentored countless students on a variety of projects, many of which have a positive effect on the Kirksville community. Her students’ research has been published nationally and students have presented at national conferences. In addition, Cox’s students regularly write grants and are awarded competitive funding to complete their projects.

Other finalists for the "Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year" include Sal Costa, David Conner, Carol Marshall and Stephen Hudman.

Professors honored at the Accolades of Academics banquet were all nominated by students and were awarded by a student-driven committee. Members from Student Government, the Pershing Society and Phi Kappa Phi serve on the "Educator of the Year" committee. Students have the opportunity to nominate instructors for these awards each year at senate.truman.edu.

Thanks to alumnus Charles Tharp, attendees were able to take a step back in history when a time capsule enclosed in the 1954 Science Hall cornerstone was opened during a ceremony on campus May 5.

Tharp, who had owned a local landfill, grabbed the cornerstone when portions of the Science Hall building, now known as Magruder Hall, were demolished to make room for renovations and additional construction in the early 2000s. It sat in his yard for the last decade and this past spring when he was cleaning vines from the stone he noticed the weather had eroded some mortar from the back, revealing the time capsule. Tharp, contacted his friend and former professor, Dr. Max Bell, who had been on campus when the Aug. 5, 1954 Cornerstone dedication took place. Bell, a professor emeritus of botany who divides his time between Florida, Kirksville and Alaska, agreed to help Tharp with the opening of the time capsule.

Also assisting with the reveal was Dr. Jack Magruder, president emeritus of Truman. Magruder was a sophomore chemistry major at the time of the 1954 dedication. As the cornerstone was originally dedicated by the Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Jon Broyles, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri, spoke about the history of the Masons and their role in building construction.

Buried in the time capsule were copies of the school newspaper, course schedules, student handbooks, alumni magazines and a copy of the Aug. 5, 1954 dedication speech delivered by Phil Donnelly, Missouri’s governor at the time.

Thanks to Tharp’s willingness to donate the cornerstone and the time capsule back to the University, the contents are available for review in the special collections gallery located on the third floor of Pickler Memorial Library. The cornerstone will be placed close to its original location on the north side of Magruder Hall. Photos from the unveiling can be found here.

May 19-23
11 a.m.-2 p.m.

May 24-26
Closed

May 27-30
11 a.m.-2 p.m.

May 31- June 1
Closed

Through a generous gift from Lloyd and Lois Elmore, a trust has been established to make scholarships of approximately $1,000 per semester (depending on need) available annually. Scholarship recipients must be active in a Southern Baptist Church or in a Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ). The scholarship recipients must attend Truman State University. Lloyd and Lois (Trower) Elmore operated a family farm in the Gibbs, Mo., community for 50 years before moving to La Plata, Mo., in 1968. Lloyd was a member of the Christian Church in Gibbs and La Plata. Lois was the daughter of a Baptist minister and attended the Southern Baptist Church in La Plata. She was also a member of the Loyal Bereans Class of the La Plata Christian Church. The Elmore’s established the trust fund to provide an educational opportunity for students in the northeast Missouri area who are actively involved in their church. Eligibility criteria: high school graduate from northeast Missouri; current Missouri resident; active involvement in a Southern Baptist Church or Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ); financial need; and acceptance to Truman State University. Selection criteria: completed application form; evidence of financial need; proof of acceptance to Truman State University; written letter of recommendation from the local clergy; and receipt of all the above by the application deadline, May 30. Renewal criteria: student must maintain a 2.50 grade point average; complete at least 24 credit hours in previous 12 months; evidence of continued active involvement in a Southern Baptist or Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ); and maximum renewal of three times. To apply, click here.

The Missouri Greece Study Abroad 2015 program is offering five $1,000 scholarships for students who wish to study abroad in Greece for the spring 2015 semester. For more information, contact the Center for International Education at ciea@truman.edu or visit the Study Abroad Office in Kirk Building 114. Deadline to apply is for the spring 2015 semester is Oct. 10.