Vol. 29 No. 26 - March 24, 2025

Left to right: Andrew Dwyer, Jack Dumler, Parker Erickson and Deeptika Karki.Four Truman business administration students were selected for first, second and third place in the Robert L. Gould Scholastic Award, earning a combined $22,500.

For more than 20 years, DST has administered the Gould Scholastic Award in honor of Robert Gould. The award recognizes outstanding students who produce academic papers on topics related to investment management strategies, theories and trends. The concept for papers this year was American investment into personal retirement plans.

First place and a $10,000 award went to Jack Dumler and Andrew Dwyer for their paper, “Opportunities and Challenges in Improving American Retirement Outcomes.”

Second place and a $7,500 award went to Parker Erickson for his paper, “Solving Preparation for Retirement in America.” Third place and a $5,000 award went to Deeptika Karki for her paper, “American Investments into Personal Retirement Plans.”

Winners were selected based on the evaluations of representatives of DST, a global provider of specialized technology, strategic advisory and operations outsourcing to the financial and health care industries.

 
Anthony Ray Hinton, who spent nearly 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit, will speak at 6 p.m. March 26 in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.
 
Hinton was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985 in Alabama. With the assistance of the Equal Justice Initiative, led by attorney Bryan Stevenson, he won his release in 2015. Since his conviction was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, Hinton has become a sought-after speaker and author of “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” which was selected for Oprah’s Book Club and is a New York Times bestseller.
 
“‘The Sun Does Shine’ is Hinton’s story from the perspective of someone who faced an unimaginable ordeal being sentenced to die for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet through it all, his message of hope, faith and justice is resounding,” said Elizabeth Wiles, director of interdisciplinary studies and chair of legal studies and pre-law programming at Truman. “It is a powerful memoir, and this event is sure to be a transformative experience for anyone from any background.”
 
Hinton may be familiar to audiences from his inclusion in Stevenson’s book “Just Mercy,” later adapted into a movie of the same name. At the time “Just Mercy” was originally published, Hinton had yet to be exonerated. “The Sun Does Shine” gives readers the firsthand account of his redemptive journey.
 
Presented as part of Truman’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series, Hinton’s presentation is free and open to the public.

Patrick Fontana (’94) will serve as Truman’s next Bentele/Mallinckrodt Executive-in-Residence.

While at Truman, Fontana became an All-American tennis player and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1994. After graduation, he played professional tennis for more than a year. He then attended Baylor University where he received a Master of Science degree in education in 1997 and was the assistant coach of the men’s tennis team. His last six hours of graduate school were an internship with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) at the Four Seasons Resort and Club where he spent three years as a tennis professional.

Fontana launched his career in financial services with Smith Barney in 2000 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a financial advisor in 2008. He later founded Fontana Financial Planning where he provides customized wealth management strategies and helps guide entrepreneurs, business owners, medical and legal professionals, real estate and other executives in pursuing financial goals they’ve set for themselves and their families. He is the host of the podcast “Cup of Bull” and the author of “Faith, Patience, Discipline: A Coach’s Game Plan for Winning at Money and Life.”

Fontana will visit Truman from March 26-27. During his time on campus, he will present a talk from 3:30-5 p.m. March 27 in Violette Hall 1000.

Truman’s Theatre Department will perform “Peter and the Starcatcher” by Rick Elice at 7:30 p.m. April 10-12 and April 16-17 with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. April 13 in the James Severns Theatre.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a magical prequel to Peter Pan that reimagines the origin of the beloved boy who never grows up. This wildly theatrical adventure follows a young orphan and his friends as they encounter pirates, a magical trunk of starstuff and a determined Starcatcher-in-training, Molly. With inventive staging and a playful spirit, this journey explores friendship, bravery and the magic of youth.

This play is directed by Jonathan Wehmeyer. Tickets are $15 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.

Listed below are several of the major national fellowships and their websites. More information about these fellowships is available at truman.edu/majors-programs/more-learning-opportunities/fellowships.


Fellowships For Study in the United States
(campus nomination required)

Carnegie Endowment
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to graduating seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. Applicants must be nominated by the Truman State University nominating official. This fellowship is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Eleven to 13 students will be hired to work at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, D.C., on a full-time basis for a period of one year. Application deadline is Nov. 17, 2025.

Goldwater Scholarship
for undergraduates only
Awarded to sophomore or junior math or science majors who have one or two full years of undergraduate study remaining. Each scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board. To be eligible, a student must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be a United States citizen and demonstrate a potential for and commitment to a career in research in mathematics or natural sciences. Deadline to declare intent to apply is Oct. 27, 2025.

Harry S. Truman Scholarship
for undergraduates only
Awarded to outstanding junior students who intend to pursue careers in public service. Each Harry S. Truman Scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $30,000 over a period of up to four years (i.e., one year of college and three years of graduate school). To be eligible, a student must have selected an undergraduate field of study that will permit admission to a graduate program leading to a career in public service. Campus deadline is Nov. 17, 2025.

Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation
for undergraduates only
The Morris K. Udall Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers related to environmental public policy and to encourage outstanding Native American and Alaska native students to pursue careers related to health care and tribal public policy. Requirements include sophomore or junior standing with at least a 3.0 GPA and ranking in the top quarter of a student’s class. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,000, and expenses for a Udall Scholars Orientation. Deadline for applications is Jan. 5, 2026.


Fellowships for Experiences Abroad
(campus nomination required)

British Marshall Scholarship
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to exceptional seniors or recent graduates who wish to study for two years in a British university. It is meant to further the education of young people of distinguished intellect and character who can be expected to make a significant contribution to society. To be eligible, applicants must have a 3.7 GPA, be a United States citizen and earn a bachelor’s degree before the scholarship takes effect. Applications must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025.

Fulbright Grant
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to seniors and graduate students. Grants range from a full grant – which covers one year of tuition, books and maintenance in one foreign country – to a variety of partial grants, which cover transportation costs only and/or supplement the applicant’s own personal funds. Teaching assistantships in English in selected countries are also available under the Fulbright program. To be eligible for any of the Fulbright grants, an applicant must be a United States citizen at the time of application and hold a bachelor’s degree by the beginning date of the grant. Creative and performing artists are not required to have a bachelor’s degree, but must have four years of relevant training or study. All applicants are required to have sufficient proficiency in the language of the host country to carry out their proposed study or research. Applications must be completed by Sept. 1, 2025.

Fulbright Grant: U.K. Summer Institute Award
for undergraduates
Awarded to freshman or sophomore students from all areas of study with a high level of academic achievement. Each program offers students full immersion in the study of British academia and culture. Students will partake in cultural events, research, collaboration and presentation at one of nine summer institutes. The award will cover the majority of all costs incurred, including flights to and from the U.K., university fees, and room and board at the hosting U.K. university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who reside anywhere except the U.K., be at least 18 years old and have completed no more than two years of university study. Applications must be completed by Jan. 5, 2026.

Mitchell Scholarship
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to seniors or recent graduates who wish to pursue graduate study or research in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Mitchell Scholarships provide tuition and housing, as well as living and travel stipends. Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree before taking up the award. Applications must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025.

Boren Scholarship and Fellowship
for undergraduates and graduates
NOTE: The graduate fellowship does not require campus nomination.
Designed to provide U.S. undergraduates and graduates with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of the nation. Boren Scholarships/Fellowships are designed to support students who will make a commitment to federal service. All recipients incur a requirement to enter into an agreement, in order of priority, to work for an agency of the federal government with national security responsibilities or to work in the field of higher education in the area of study for which the scholarship was awarded. Maximum awards are $10,000 for a semester and $20,000 for a full year of study abroad. Campus deadline for scholarships (undergraduate) is Jan. 1, 2026. Campus deadline for fellowships (graduate) is Dec. 29, 2025.

Rhodes Scholarship
for undergraduates only
Awarded to exceptional seniors who wish to pursue two or three years of study at Oxford University. The Rhodes Scholarship covers all tuition costs and provides a maintenance allowance. To be eligible a senior must be under 24 years of age, be a citizen of the United States and complete a bachelor’s degree before Oct. 1. There are only 32 scholarships assigned to the United States and applicants must have proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard, integrity of character, interest in and respect for their fellow human beings, the ability to lead and the energy to use their talents to the fullest. The last of these qualities is usually, though not exclusively, demonstrated by participation and success in sports. Rhodes Scholarship applications must be completed by Sept. 1, 2025. Read about Truman’s first Rhodes Scholarship recipient, Andrew McCall, who provides helpful advice for Rhodes Scholar applicants.


Other Fellowships
(no campus nomination required)

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
for college graduates and graduate students
A highly competitive national program that provides college and graduate school graduates the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C., with one of more than two dozen participating public-interest organizations focusing on international security issues. The program is offered twice yearly, in the spring and fall. It lasts from six to nine months and provides a salary, health insurance and travel costs to Washington.

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
for undergraduates and graduates
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a foreign service career with the U.S. Department of State. The programs provide academic and professional preparation for outstanding candidates to enter the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service, representing America’s interests abroad.

Amgen Scholars Program
for undergraduates only
The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on summer research experience at some of the world’s leading institutions.

Ford Diversity Fellowships Program
for seniors and graduates only
Through its fellowship programs, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
for graduates only
The GRFP is a prestigious, nationally competitive fellowship offered by the National Science Foundation that provides three years of financial support for beginning graduate study leading to a research-based degree in the STEM disciplines.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship
for undergraduates and graduates
Awarded to students of exceptional academic achievement and scholarly promise for whom advanced study at Cambridge would be particularly appropriate. Successful applicants will have the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach to defining and solving problems. Awarded only to students who gain admission to Cambridge through the regular procedures. Covers the full cost of study at Cambridge for a single person. Applications should be completed by Sept. 12, 2025.

Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows
for undergraduates
The Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows offers rising college juniors opportunities in leadership development programs inspired by the life and legacy of George Washington and today’s foremost leaders. This residential summer fellowship is designed to create the next generation of the nation’s top leaders.

John Lewis Fellowship
for undergraduates
The John Lewis Fellowship honors U.S. Representative John Lewis, an icon of the Civil Rights Movement. The program explores the history of the Civil Rights Movement, diversity and minority rights in the United States, with a particular focus on Atlanta. Key areas of inquiry include race and racism, immigration, national identity, Native American issues and the relationship between civil rights and human rights. The fellowship will also discuss contemporary racial and diversity issues.

Humanity in Action Fellowship
for undergraduates
The Humanity in Action Fellowship brings together international groups of college students and recent graduates to explore national histories of injustice and resistance as they affect different minority groups today.

Fund for Education Abroad
for undergraduates
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) addresses the need for an independent study abroad scholarship provider. FEA is expanding access to study abroad by raising awareness of its benefits to the individual and value to the collective, and by granting scholarships of up to $10,000.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
for undergraduates
The Gilman International Scholarship Program is a Congressionally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is administered by the Institute of International Education. The Gilman Scholarship Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students of high financial need participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program or international internship eligible. Students studying a critical need language could be eligible to receive a grant of up to $8,000. The Gilman Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting U.S. undergraduates who might otherwise not consider these unique and valuable opportunities due to financial constraints.

U.S. Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria
The U.S. Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria provides U.S. college and university graduates with opportunities to work at secondary schools throughout Austria as teaching assistants.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)
The Freeman Foundation’s generous support for the relaunch of Freeman-ASIA builds on prior grants to IIE that funded more than 4,500 American undergraduates in Asia from 2001 to 2014. The newly available awards will advance the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad, a five-year initiative aiming to double the number of U.S. students abroad by the end of the decade, by mobilizing resources and commitments across the higher education, philanthropy and corporate sectors.

Schwarzman Scholars
Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China’s role in global trends. Students will live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, where all classes are taught in English. Students will pursue master’s degrees in one of three disciplines: public policy, economics and business, or international studies. Applications must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025.

For Mindful Monday, encouraging notes will be placed around campus and “Bulldog Love” video partnered with TruShot Photography will be available to watch on Student Government Instagram.

Tuesday Treats will feature mini tacos at 12 p.m. in the Student Union Building, while supplies last. SAB’s Origami Grooves and Paper Moves event will take place from 1-4 p.m. on the quad with a rain location of Student Union Building Activities Room.

Wellness Wednesday features root beer floats from 12-3 p.m. on the quad and yoga with Jack from 7-8 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center. The first five participants at yoga will receive a coffee voucher.

Thursday Thrills includes a party on the quad from 12-3:30 p.m. with music, snacks, yard games and “pie-a-professor.”

Mega Purple Friday is in collaboration with National Something on a Stick Day. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Kirk Memorial students will be able to dip various yummy items on a stick into a chocolate or cheese fountain. Spike and President Sue Thomas will make special guest appearances.

Follow Student Government on Instagram for more information.

Kelly Mahaffy (‘18) will visit campus March 24-25 to share with students how the knowledge and skills she gained at Truman prepared her to craft a unique interdisciplinary career pathway.

Mahaffy is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in developmental psychology at the University of Connecticut. She studies the neurobiology and neurochemistry of fluent and dysfluent reading comprehension with a focus on better understanding of which neural mechanisms support reading comprehension development. Through work at the University of Connecticut and the Yale Child Studies Center, Mahaffy has developed expertise in early literacy, the neurobiology, neurochemistry and behavioral profiles of students with dyslexia, dyslexia intervention and response, and community partnerships between educational neuroscientists and schools. She is currently working on her dissertation which will clarify if adolescent readers of differing reading comprehension profiles are sensitive to the complex statistics of written language and leverage this information to support reading comprehension.

During her time on campus, she will speak to students in several courses including ED 593 Psychological Foundations of Education, ED 621G Psychology of Reading, ENG 216 New Majors Seminar, ENG 375 Career Seminar, and ENG 602G: Cognitive Literary Theory. Her public talk, “More than the Sum of its Parts: A journey from Reader to Researcher,” will take place at 7 p.m. March 25 in Ophelia Parrish 2210.

Mahaffy credits her unique, interdisciplinary perspective to her time in the English, education, and child studies and cognitive science programs at Truman.

The first-ever Tru Crime Day, sponsored by Interdisciplinary Studies and Criminal Justice Studies, will take place on campus March 26.

Open to the campus and Kirksville communities, Tru Crime Day offers visitors a multidisciplinary exploration of crime and criminal justice. Through engaging panels, workshops, discussions and activities, attendees will uncover the science behind investigations, explore real-life cases and examine the social, legal and psychological dimensions of crime. Some of the events will be of particular interest for current and prospective students.

“True crime is a popular genre with people of all ages, especially Gen Z,” said Elizabeth Wiles, assistant professor of criminal justice studies and chair of legal studies and pre-law programming at Truman. “This is not just for criminal justice or pre-law students, it’s for anyone teenaged or older interested in learning more about true crime from an interdisciplinary perspective.”

Registration is not required for most events, but it is encouraged. Events marked with an asterisk require registration. To register for Tru Crime Day, visit truman.edu/events/tru-crime-day.

Tru Crime Day participants are also invited to stay on campus for a presentation by Anthony Ray Hinton. Wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985, Hinton and spent nearly 30 years on death row in Alabama. Bryan Stevenson at the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit based in Montgomery, Alabama, picked up his case, handling his defense for 16 years. Since Hinton’s conviction was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in 2015, he has become a sought-after speaker and author of the bestselling book “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.”

“This is a powerful memoir with themes of faith, hope, perseverance and justice, which should appeal to a broad audience,” Wiles said. “It is a powerful memoir, and this event is sure to be a transformative experience for anyone from any background.”

Hinton will speak at 6 p.m. March 26 in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall as part of the University’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series. His presentation is free of charge and open to the public.


Tru Crime Day Events
*Registration required

Anatomy of an Autopsy: Virtual Cadaver Lab*
Unlock the chilling secrets of the human body with Truman’s state-of-the-art virtual anatomy lab. Visitors will use virtual dissection tools to peel back layers of skin, slice open organs, saw through a skull and more. In this truly “cutting-edge” educational tool, students dig through 3D cross-sections of the cadaver to uncover crucial clues about a mysterious murder.

Voices of Justice: Conversations with Criminal Justice Professionals
Hear from dynamic panels of criminal justice professionals as they pull back the curtain on their challenging and rewarding careers. Get a firsthand look at the complex and high-stakes decisions they face every day, from courtroom drama to the chaos of crime scenes. Hear their expert perspectives and learn how each professional plays a unique role in the pursuit of justice.

Crack the Case: Mock Crime Scene Investigation*
Step into the shoes of a detective in this hands-on mock crime scene investigation. Team up with current criminal justice and forensic science students to examine a staged crime scene, collect evidence and piece together the clues. Use real investigative techniques to analyze fingerprints, track down hidden evidence and solve the mystery before time runs out.

Hometown Horrors: True Crime Writing and Podcast Workshop*
Bring your hometown’s dark tales and dastardly deeds to life in this creative writing and DIY podcast workshop. Learn how to craft gripping narratives through written words and voice. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Villhard Innovation Lab’s podcast studio in Pickler Library and experiment with the equipment.

Prison Break Escape Rooms
In this brain-bending prison break challenge, you and your team will crack codes, solve puzzles and piece together clues to break free. Beat the clock and earn some “get-out-of-jail-free” prizes that will have you feeling like a criminal mastermind.

From Script to Scream: Indie Filmmakers Spill Their Guts
Join indie horror filmmakers and Truman alumni Nick Toti and Rachel Kempf for a chilling discussion on how they craft suspense, fear and thrills in their films. As founders of DieDieBooks, an independent publisher of horror film criticism, and DieDieVideo, a low-budget horror film production company, they’ll share behind-the-scenes secrets from their work. Hear about their debut movie, “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This,” which premiered at TIFF’s Midnight Madness program and was called “horror’s hottest ticket” by Variety.

Killer Psychology with Sal Costa
Peak into the minds of serial killers with Sal Costa, the legendary Truman professor who taught the infamous “Serial Killers” course for nearly three decades. In this captivating session, Costa will unravel the psychology and history of notorious serial killers, exploring the strange behaviors and dark motives behind their crimes.

Laundered Lies & Dirty Money: Financial Crimes Exposed
Unravel the secrets of financial fraud and white-collar crime in this fascinating session. Learn the truth behind the headlines about greedy elites who exploit the system while everyday people suffer. In this twisted world of lies and corruption, forensic accountants are modern-day Robin Hoods – using their skills to expose corporate crooks and high-powered con artists, bringing them to justice.

Criminal Law, From Courtroom to Classroom
Explore real criminal law in this interactive class session with current students. Learn about the sources of law and discuss how the criminal legal system functions. Through engaging activities and discussions, gain a better understanding of how laws are made and applied in real criminal cases. This session is ideal for aspiring lawyers or anyone curious about the justice system.

Union & Involvement Services will begin accepting room lottery requests for the fall 2025 semester from 8 a.m. March 27 to 5 p.m. April 4.

Recognized student organizations must be in good standing in order for requests to be processed. Any submissions received after 5 p.m. April 4 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis once lottery requests have been processed. Forms can be found here. Paper forms will not be accepted.

Contact the Union & Involvement Services Office at union@truman.edu or 660.785.4222 for more information.

The Big Event gives Truman students, faculty, staff and alumni the opportunity to show appreciation for all of the support the Kirksville community has offered to them. Hundreds of Truman volunteers will provide services to the residents of the community by raking leaves, washing windows, painting and more.  

Volunteers can sign-up here.  For more information visit serve.truman.edu.

Clients who come to VITA should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earnings statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available. VITA services will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return.

Appointments are required. Truman students can make appointments online. Truman staff and community members should call 660.785.6064 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

After the first weekend, Spike leads Nugget in both the men’s and women’s brackets. On the men’s side, Spike is up 23 to 21; however, Spike has only four possible points remaining, while Nugget can still earn up to 60.

On the women’s side, Spike is up 35 to 20 with a total of 140 points still available compared to 124 remaining for Nugget.

Weekly updates will be posted on Truman’s Instagram.

The Office of Student Research is accepting applications for Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research (GIASR).

GIASR applications are for research and creative scholarship conducted in summer 2025. Grant applications may request up to $750 and can cover student stipends, supplies and travel to conduct research.

Complete guidelines for the GIASR applications can be found at the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. March 28. Questions can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

As part of the Children’s Literature Festival, a banquet will take place at 6 p.m. March 28 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

The banquet is open to the Truman community and general public. Each of the authors will sit at a different table. Attendees can choose where to sit so they can dine with their favorite author.

Jennifer Nielsen will be the featured speaker. Nielsen is the No. 1 New York Times Bestselling author of more than 25 books for young readers, including “The False Prince,” “A Night Divided,” “Resistance,” “Words on Fire” and many other titles. Her works have been optioned for film, won multiple state awards and been translated into twenty languages. Her latest release is the Mt. Everest rescue story, “One Wrong Step.” In her spare time, Nielsen loves old books, lazy days in the mountains and spending time with her family.

Tickets are $20 and registration is open online until March 26.

This year’s Foundation Celebration will take place at 5 p.m. April 5 in the Student Union Building.

This event recognizes the tremendous impact of the University Foundation and will include student speakers, performers, a special recognition of 50 years of the Gen. John J. Pershing Scholarship and celebration of new members to Truman’s giving societies.

Two presidential awards will also be bestowed. The Distinguished Corporation Award will be given to Mastercard, and the President’s Leadership Award will be presented to the honorable Ann Covington.

A philanthropic partner for Truman, Mastercard encourages employees to engage with their community while building a purpose-driven workforce. In addition to the company’s variety of community engagement opportunities across the globe, employees in the U.S. have 40 hours/5 days each year for volunteering. Some Truman alumni at Mastercard have dedicated these hours to supporting student recruitment, school support and engagement, on-campus and remote speaking opportunities to classes and clubs as well as serving as mentors and judges for the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. innovation pitch competition and serving on the various boards that support the University. Alumni working at Mastercard have also served as Bentele-Mallinckrodt scholars and as speakers on the topics of business and cybersecurity in the annual Tru-Biz Business Forums.

Along with her late husband, Charles J. McClain, President Emeritus of Truman, Covington has generously given her time, talent and treasure to the University. She is a member of all of Truman’s most prestigious giving societies: the John R. Kirk Society, the Joseph Baldwin Society and the President’s Circle. She also continues to support the Charles J. McClain Foundation Scholarship and the Gen. John J. Pershing Scholarship. Recognized by the American Bar Association as one of the Women Trailblazers in the Law, Covington was the first woman to serve on the Missouri Court of Appeals, the first woman appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court and the first woman to be named chief justice.

Those who wish to attend the Foundation Celebration may RSVP here. There is a registration fee of $15 per person.

Registration for summer classes is now open.

Summer is a great time for students to focus their attention on a challenging class, or work on boosting their GPA for scholarship renewal or graduate school applications. It is also an opportunity to make a lot of progress toward an additional major or minor without falling behind.

Courses are available in a variety of options, including online, hybrid and in-person delivery methods. The flexibility of summer courses provides students the opportunity to have a job, take a vacation or socialize with friends back home.

With six separate terms throughout the summer, students have multiple options to fit their needs. Interim classes run May 10-24. The first round of five-week courses, as well as 10-week courses, begin May 27, while the second round of five-week courses begins June 30. An eight-week session begins June 2. The August interim runs from July 26-Aug. 9. For more information visit summer.truman.edu.

Student Government is seeking a student speaker for the May 10 commencement ceremony. Applications are available here. For more information, contact oph5838@truman.edu.

Applicants will be asked to respond to one of the following two prompts:

“Reflecting on your experiences here at Truman what are some key takeaways you have from your college experience and how have they impacted you and how will they guide you in the future?”

“Do your best history will do the rest” - Harry S. Truman. Reflecting on your time here at Truman, how has this philosophy guided your decisions now and in the future?

Nominations are now open for the fourth annual Echo 25 and Alumni Fellows awards. Truman alumni all over the world make notable accomplishments every day, and no one knows the qualities that make an outstanding Bulldog better than the campus community itself.

The Echo 25 award honors alumni under the age of 40 that live out Truman’s characteristics of graduates: creativity, leadership and compassion, among others. Alumni Fellows are distinguished in their profession in addition to making impressive contributions to their community and demonstrating integrity in their personal lives.

The campus community is invited to help nominate outstanding alumni for these two awards. Nominations are due by May 1. Questions about both awards can be directed to Stacy Tucker-Potter, director of engagement, at stuckerpotter@truman.edu.

Truman’s Master of Arts in Communication Disorders (CMDS) program will host a site visit from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) March 31 and April 1. The purpose of the site visit is to evaluate the CMDS program as it seeks continued re-accreditation. As part of the re-accreditation site visit, a public meeting will take place from 4:45-5:30 p.m. March 31 in Pershing Building 2100. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
 
The Standards for Accreditation and the CAA’s Policy on Public Comment may be obtained by contacting 800.498.2071 or caa.asha.org.

The Higher Learning Commission peer review team will be on campus March 24-25 and will conduct open forums in which students, faculty and staff may participate.

On behalf of Student Life, $5 gift certificates for use at Einstein’s or Starbucks will be distributed to students that attend the Listening Session March 25.

Open Forum Criteria 1 & 2
1:30-2:20 p.m.
March 24
Violette Hall 1000
Open to campus

Open Forum Criteria 3 & 4
2:30-3:20 p.m.
March 24
Violette Hall 1000
Open to campus

Staff Listening Session
Student Union Building 3000
Open to all staff

Open Forum Criterion 5
3:30-4:20 p.m.
March 24
Violette Hall 1000
Open to campus

Faculty Listening Session
Student Union Building 3000
Open to all faculty

Student Listening Session
9:40-10:20 a.m.
March 25
Violette Hall 1000
Open to all students

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 April 1. 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 2025-26 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.