Vol. 30 No. 29 - April 13, 2026

Features

Research Conference Highlights Student Achievements

The 2026 Student Research Conference will take place April 16.

This conference is an annual opportunity for students to present the research they have conducted under the guidance of Truman faculty. Undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines were invited to present their scholarly or creative work. A full conference program and all presentation abstracts can be found online at osr.truman.edu/src. The abstracts can be electronically browsed and extensively searched.

Face-to-face oral presentations will take place in the Student Union Building and Magruder Hall. Studio art exhibits and the Annual Juried Student Exhibition will be on display in the University Art Gallery. A list of presentations that are scheduled for each session can be found in the conference schedule available at osr.truman.edu/src.

Dr. W. David Arnold, executive director of the NextGen Precision Health Initiative, will present as the plenary speaker of the conference from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Arnold is a physician-scientist and tenured professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, and medical pharmacology and physiology at the University of Missouri, where he is a founding leader of the Center for Translational Neurogenetics. With a nontraditional training trajectory that bridges clinical medicine, translational neuroscience and therapeutic development, his research focuses on translational neuromuscular physiology in the context of health, aging and disease. His work has helped to define neural contributions to sarcopenia and mechanisms of neuromuscular decline across the lifespan, and his team has published the first efforts to develop neurotherapeutics for the treatment of age-related loss of physical function. Arnold has contributed to the development of gene-replacement therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, therapeutic development efforts in Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, and advances in genetic and molecular therapies for neuromuscular disorders such as myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Additional information about the 2026 Student Research Conference can be found at osr.truman.edu/src. Questions about the conference should be directed to the Office of Student Research at osr@truman.edu.
“She Kills Monsters” is Final Theatrical Production of 2025-26 Season

Truman students will perform the stage play “She Kills Monsters” as the final theatrical production of the 2025-26 season.

When Agnes Evans discovers her late sister’s Dungeons and Dragons notebook, she is thrust into a quest filled with sword fights, fairies and '90s nostalgia. “She Kills Monsters” is a fast-paced, comical and heartfelt story about loss, self-discovery and embracing one’s inner geek. Playwright Qui Nguyen delivers a thrilling mix of comedy and action, where fantasy and reality collide in the most unexpected ways.

The production will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and at 2 p.m. April 19 in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.

Questions should be directed to boxoffice@truman.edu.
Mentalist Christopher Carter to Perform at Truman

Renowned mentalist Christopher Carter will perform at 7 p.m. April 17 in Kirk Building.

Carter is one of the busiest performing hypnotists in the country, traveling more than 100,000 miles each year putting on shows at colleges and corporate events across the United States. His shows feature mind reading, hypnosis and humor, starring volunteers from the audience. From perfect predictions to revealing participants’ secrets and making lightbulbs shine in their hands, Carter’s performances keep audiences on the edge of their seats, laughing from start to finish.

Admission is free. The show will last approximately 60 minutes and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Additional information about Carter can be found at christophercarter.com.
Clarinet-Guitar Duo Jâca to Perform at Truman

The clarinet and guitar duet Jâca will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 16 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Jâca brings the sounds of the world to life through a live music experience filled with virtuosity, storytelling, humor and cultural discovery. Led by Wesley Ferreira and Jaxon Williams, two charismatic virtuosos on clarinet and guitar, the duo transforms concerts into vibrant musical journeys that captivate audiences of all backgrounds. Jâca has performed in concert halls, festivals and major touring circuits around the globe.

In addition to their Thursday recital, Jâca will perform one piece as part of Evan O’Day’s senior recital, taking place at 8 p.m. April 17 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. During their time on campus, they will also work with students in a clarinet master class and a talk to the composition studio.
Truman to Welcome Prospective Students and Families, April 17-18

Truman will welcome hundreds of prospective students and their families during Truman Experience Weekend, April 17-18.

The Truman Experience Weekend offers multiple opportunities for future students and their families to discover what Truman has to offer. Flexible scheduling allows for guests to personalize their visit and make the most of their time on campus through tailored presentations, special events and personal interactions.

Friday evening, dining halls and food trucks will be available for dinner. President Sue Thomas will be on hand to engage with students in a unique activity. Staff members from the Admissions Office and the Center for Academic Excellence will be available for a question-and-answer session.

Evening entertainment options include shows at the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium and the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish, as well as student ambassador-lead campus tours. The planetarium is hosting a free “Tour of the Galaxy” and will begin the show at 7 p.m. Mentalist Christopher Carter will perform a free hypnotism show in Kirk Building at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Truman Theatre will showcase the fantastical comedy action “She Kills Monsters” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.

In addition to campus shows, guests can join student ambassadors from the Office of Admissions in golden hour campus tours at 7 p.m. A tour of the A.T. Still University Museum of Osteopathic Medicine will also take place at 7 p.m.

The complete itinerary for the weekend can be found at truman.edu/experience. Updates will be reflected as they are announced.

On Saturday, dining halls will be open for lunch and dinner. Before main presentations begin, academic advisor drops-ins, a reception to meet faculty members and morning campus tours will be available from 9-10:15 a.m. President Thomas will then kick off the day with a welcome address, followed by panel presentations, various tours and special activities for students and parents to enjoy.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about many aspects of Truman throughout the day with presentations from academic programs, study abroad, Athletics, Residence Life, the Office of Community Engagement and Financial Aid, among others.

Tours will be available of the entire campus, as well as residence halls and the Student Recreation Center. Visitors should also keep an eye out for Spike, the University mascot.

The Truman Experience Weekend is one of a variety of visit options for prospective students. The University continues to conduct individual in-person visits – complete with campus tours – every weekday. Other arrangements can be made for special circumstances.

Prospective students and their families interested in attending the Truman Experience Weekend can find more information at truman.edu/experience. Details about specific events will be posted to the site as they become available. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 660.785.4114 or admissions@truman.edu.

Announcements

Summer Registration Now Open
Truman students interested in taking classes this summer can now begin registering for courses.

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 9-23. The first round of five-week courses, as well as 10-week courses, begin May 26, while the second round of five-week courses begins June 29. An eight-week session begins June 1. The August interim runs from July 25-Aug. 8. For more information visit summer.truman.edu.
Library to Host Spring Book Sale
The Leisure Reading Book Sale will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 14 outside the south side of the Pickler Memorial Library. There will be a large variety of popular fiction books available, with hardback books priced at $1 and paperback books at fifty cents. Only cash and checks will be accepted.
Spring Market Provides Students with Free Produce
Market on the Mall will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 14, April 24, May 1 and May 8 in Magruder Hall.

The program brings high-quality produce from the Truman Farm to students on campus. Cash donations are accepted, but produce is available for free. All donations will support student activities at the farm. Questions should be directed to Josh Kraft, assistant professor of agriculture, at jkraft@truman.edu.
Final Workshop to Provide FAQs for Student Orgs
Union and Involvement Services will host their final workshop that covers some commonly asked questions and topics from student organizations.

Publicity and Advertising on Campus
6 p.m.
April 14
Violette Hall 1010

While focus will primarily be geared toward student organizations, any student is welcome to attend to learn more about this process and resources available on campus. For questions, please reach out to orgs@truman.edu.
Award-Winning Pianist to Perform at Truman
The Department of Music will host Keys Across America at 7:30 p.m. April 14 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Mackenzie Melemed has emerged as one of the most distinctive musical voices of his generation, admired for his nuanced interpretations, technical finesse and deep artistic sensibility. Described by The New York Times as “an excellent young pianist,” he has performed extensively as both soloist and chamber musician, appearing with major orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Helsinki Philharmonic, and in recital at iconic venues including Carnegie Hall. Melemed was a laureate of the 2021 American Pianists Awards, the 2019 China International Music Competition, and the 2017 Maj Lind International Piano Competition.

Keys Across America is Melemed’s recital program, featuring a rich cross-section of American piano music. At the heart of the program is a tribute to a few composers from the Second New England School — Amy Beach, Edward MacDowell and Arthur Foote — who helped shape a distinctly American musical identity in the late 19th century. What makes it unique is its educational mission. Throughout the program, Melemed will be speaking from the stage, guiding the audience through the historical context of each work and the lives of these trailblazing composers.

This event is free and open to the public. A livestream of the concert will be available on the department’s YouTube channel.
Final Engage Session Encourages Student Safety, Awareness
English Faculty to Showcase Creative Work
Three English and creative writing faculty members will present “Out on the Town: Truman Creative Writing Faculty Read at Aorta” at 7 p.m. April 15 at the Aorta, 107 S. Franklin St.

James D’Agostino, professor of English, is the author of “The Goldfinch Caution Tapes,” winner of the 2022 Anthony Hecht Prize, “Nude With Anything,” winner of the New Issues Press Poetry Prize, and “Build Your Castle Out of Sugar Cubes All Your Enemies Have Tongues,” which won the Steel Toe Books Poetry Book Prize. He has published chapbooks which won prizes from Diagram/New Michigan, CutBank Books and Wells College Press. His poems have appeared in Ninth Letter, Forklift Ohio, Conduit, Mississippi Review, TriQuarterly, Flyway and elsewhere.

Brian Heston, assistant professor of English, is the author of “Latchkey Kids,” Finishing Line Press, “If You Find Yourself,” Main Street Rag Publishing and “Sing, Dark Times,” Seven Kitchens Press. His poems and stories have appeared in such publications as the Southern Review, Witness, Prairie Schooner, Rosebud, Coolest American Stories and Ghost Fishing, and are upcoming in The Georgia Review.

Abby Manzella, assistant professor of English and creative writing, is the Pushcart Prize-winning author of the short story collection, “Ripples into the Wild,” forthcoming in 2027, and “Migrating Fictions: Gender, Race, and Citizenship in U.S. Internal Displacements,” which won the Society for the Study of American Women Writers Book Award. Other awards include winning Honorable Mention for an MLA Book Prize and a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title recognition. Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in such places as The Threepenny Review, Literary Hub, Kenyon Review and The Boston Globe.
Food Trucks Roll onto Campus, April 17
Student Engagement will host food trucks on campus from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 17.

Students, employees and community members are invited to enjoy various local food trucks on Truman’s campus. Participating trucks include Frosted Flamingo Ice Cream, Sweet Fun Concessions, LaPa Mexican Restaurant, Nolia Jeans and Zydeco’s Cajun Kitchen, with the possibility of additional trucks joining as well. Trucks will be stationed in the parking lot between the Student Union Building and McClain Hall.

Only cash or cards will be accepted. Vouchers may be stacked up to a maximum of $10. Questions should be directed to Student Engagement at stuengage@truman.edu.
Society of Dance Arts to Host Literary Dance Recital
Showgirls to Host 2026-27 Season Tryouts
The Truman Showgirls will host tryouts for the 2026-27 Showgirls season April 24-25.

In-person tryouts for the 2026-27 Truman Showgirls Dance Team will take place April 24-25. Both days are mandatory to tryout in-person. Tryout material will be taught from 5:30-8:30 p.m. April 24. The official tryout will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. April 25. After tryouts there will be a team meeting for all selected dancers from 12-1 p.m.

To try out, participants must be a senior in high school, a transfer student who is already admitted to Truman or a current Truman student. All candidates must have prior dance experience. There is a $25 fee to tryout. Payment should be brought with participants April 24 in the form of cash or a check made out to the Showgirls Dance Team. Payments can also be sent through Venmo the day of the event. All participants must sign a waiver to participate in tryouts. Participants must bring their health insurance card or know their health insurance information to complete the waiver. They will receive an email closer to the tryout date with further information.

Registration for the Showgirls Dance Team tryouts is due by 11:59 p.m. April 18. The registration form and additional information about tryouts can be accessed here.

Additional information can be found on the Showgirls Linktree. Questions about tryouts should be directed to the Showgirls at trumanstateshowgirls@gmail.com.
Nominations Open for William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award
The William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award pays tribute to excellent faculty and staff academic advisors and demonstrates how important academic advising is at Truman.

This is an opportunity for students to honor their assigned faculty-staff academic advisor. The award recognizes outstanding advising/mentoring by a full-time faculty or staff academic advisor who is nominated by students. In addition to campus-wide recognition at the Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop in August, the awardee receives a $1,000 grant to be used for the enhancement of student advising.

To make a nomination for the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award, complete the online nomination form. Nominations are due April 20.
Thrift Shop Event Benefits St. Jude's
Farewell Ceremony for Departing SSHI and Psychology Faculty
A farewell ceremony for faculty members resigning and retiring from the Social Sciences and Human Inquiry Department and the Psychology Department will take place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. April 22 in Baldwin Hall 231. Questions should be directed to Paula McCartney, administrative assistant for Social Sciences and Human Inquiry, at pmccartney@truman.edu.
TruPoets to Host Open Mic Night
TruPoets, the campus poetry club, will host an open mic night from 7:30-8:30 p.m. April 22 in the Student Union Building Activities Room.

There are no signups. Everyone is welcome to share their poems and listen to others share their own.
Virtual Panel Highlights Writing, Communications Careers
Alumnus to Discuss Career with St. Louis Blues
Nominations Open for Tutoring Awards
Nominations are now open for awards honoring the exceptional service of tutors at the Center for Academic Excellence Tutoring Center.

The Todd Phillips Excellence in Tutoring Award and the Excellence in Embedded Tutoring Award celebrate the dedication and impact tutors have in supporting student success. Students that have received tutoring, either through the tutoring center or from an embedded tutor, are encouraged to nominate the tutor that made a difference to them.

The award honors the late Todd Phillips who founded the Center for Academic Excellence’s Tutoring Center in 2011. Phillips began his work at Truman in 2008 as the first director of the Student Success Center. He was a passionate advocate for student support and fostered a culture where alternative approaches to learning were not only encouraged but celebrated. His innovative spirit and deep care for students continue to shape the tutoring center today.

The Excellence in Embedded Tutoring Award recognizes an outstanding embedded tutor that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting student success within the classroom setting. Embedded tutors play a vital role in fostering a collaborative learning environment and in building connections between students, faculty and academic support services.

Nomination forms are open now and will close April 27. Questions should be directed to Violet Odzinski, academic advisor and coordinator of student support programs, at vodzinski@truman.edu.
Truman to Host Remembrance Ceremony
A remembrance ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. April 29 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. This is an opportunity to remember and celebrate students, faculty, staff and friends that were lost in the past year.
Writing Center Hiring Consultants for Next Year
The Writing Center is hiring consultants for the 2026-27 academic year. Students who know their way around academic writing, have good interpersonal communication skills and are motivated to help people help themselves are encouraged to apply. Additional information and applications are available at writingcenter.truman.edu/apply. Applications are due May 1. Questions should be directed to David Leaton, director of the Writing Center, at write@truman.edu.
Tutoring Center Hiring for 2026-27 Academic Year
The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Tutoring Center is hiring academic peer tutors for the 2026-27 academic year.

This is a scholarship or work-study position, three to four hours per week, with initial training and additional training throughout employment. Tutors provide academic support to their peers with one-on-one instruction for specific courses, subjects or learning strategies support.

All majors are welcome to apply. The Center is particularly seeking tutors for ACCT 220/221; BIOL 107; BSAD; Communication Disorders; Computer Science; DATA 222; Economics; Health Science; LING 238; Math; Nursing; PHYS 185; Statistics; and Learning Strategies.

To qualify, students must maintain scholarship eligibility, be a sophomore or above and have successfully completed the course they plan to tutor with an "A" or "B."

Students can apply on TruPositions. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Violet Odzinski, the Center supervisor, at vodzinski@truman.edu.
CAE Seeking Student Employees for 2026-27 Academic Year
The Center for Academic Excellence is accepting applications for student workers for the 2026-27 academic year. Additional information and applications for these positions are available on TruPositions.

For questions about tutoring positions, contact Violet Odzinski, Tutoring Center supervisor, at vodzinski@truman.edu. For questions about the Bulldog Scholars Program, contact Ashleigh Harding, director of student success, at aharding@truman.edu.
School of Science and Mathematics Hiring Student Workers for Next Year
The School of Science and Mathematics is hiring building housekeeping assistants for the 2026-27 academic year. This is a scholarship or work-study position, up to four hours per week. Assistants will help with light housekeeping duties in Magruder Hall, including sweeping, dusting and tidying up public seating areas. Students can apply on TruPositions. Any questions can be directed to Katie Dixson, School of Science and Mathematics supervisor, at kdixson@truman.edu.

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Online Latin Courses Expedite Undergrad Requirements