Vol. 9 No. 27 - April 5, 2005

All of the hard work and hours of studying will pay off soon for student researchers. 

The 18th Annual Student Research Conference April 14 marks the culmination of their creative achievement with a Universitywide celebration of undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship and creative achievement.

This year’s conference boasts record participation with 311 presentations to be delivered by 391 student authors mentored by 159 faculty members. Students will display research from a broad spectrum of disciplines in varied formats from oral papers to posters, and performing arts to technology exhibits.

Classes from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. will not meet on the day of the Conference, so that all faculty and students can attend the presentations.

The day also will include a Conferencewide Plenary Address titled “Undergraduate Research for the Public Good.” Elizabeth Paul, chair of psychology at the College of New Jersey, will lecture on the subject at 11 a.m., in Violette Hall 1000.

In addition, several informal roundtable discussion sessions will take place during the lunch hour. Two of the sessions are designed for students to learn about how to get started on a scholarly project, as well as opportunities for conducting research during the first year. Two other sessions will focus on faculty issues including how to define and count scholarly work with undergraduates and how to initiate and sustain interdisciplinary projects.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate their uniqueness during Diversity and Community Week 2005. Various events are scheduled throughout the week to promote an appreciation for the differences that blend at Truman.

Students will have the opportunity to experience how it feels to be physically impaired from 10-3 p.m., April 5, at tables in the Student Union Building. Sponsored by the Student Health Center. PRISM is sponsoring a performance by singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket at 7 p.m., April 5, in the SUB Down Under.

The Women’s Resource Center will honor Women of Distinction at a banquet April 6. All are welcome to attend the ceremony at 7 p.m., and enjoy free dessert with the honorees at the Days Inn.

The Disability Experience will continue from 10 am.-3 p.m., April 7 and 8, on the second floor of the SUB. Visual impairments will be simulated on these dates.

At 7 p.m., April 7, in SUB Room 306, Connections will lead a discussion on issues raised by the “Race Machine.”

A Block Party April 8 provides the opportunity for students to socialize with each other, faculty and staff while enjoying free barbecue, games and entertainment by several student organizations. The fun begins at 4:30 p.m., in front of Multicultural Affairs, Grim Hall and University Counseling Services.

The International Club presents the third annual International Idol at 7 p.m., April 9, in Baldwin Auditorium. The audience will experience a night of world music, fashion and dance. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.

Finally, the week will end with a banquet to celebrate Truman’s diverse community. The free dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., April 10, in the SUB Georgian Room. It will include a discussion of ways to make the Truman community more accepting of diverse cultures and people.

All events are free to students, faculty and staff. Contact Ebube Nwazota at 785.5356 or ein206@truman.edu for more information.

Elizabeth Paul will visit Truman on April 13-14 to deliver the Plenary Address and topical presentation at the 18th Annual Student Research Conference.

Paul will give her talk “Catching Feelings: The Emotional Realities of Hooking Up” at 3:30 p.m., April 13, in Violette Hall 1000.

“Undergraduate Research for the Public Good” is the topic of her Plenary Address at 11 a.m., April 14, in Violette Hall 1000.

Paul is an associate professor and chair of psychology and director of the Trenton Youth Community-based Research Corps at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.

She received her doctorate in personality psychology at Boston University. She conducts research on relational challenges of late adolescence and young adulthood.

Paul serves on the board of the Trenton Youth Services Commission.

She is an active advocate of community-based research as a powerful undergraduate pedagogical activity and as an agent of social justice and change. Paul and her students have worked on more than 20 research projects in service of the needs of more than 12 Trenton-area non-profit community agencies.

A group of exercise science students are working on a new service learning project that will benefit Kirksville residents.

Truman’s advanced sports management class is working with the Kirksville Parks and Recreation department to plan and implement events for the community. Junior and senior students with a concentration in sport and recreation management learn the skills of advertising, budgeting, risk management, leadership training, event planning and personnel management in their class.

The first product of their planning is a Family Fun Day with an “Around the World” theme. This event is scheduled for 1-4 p.m., April 9, at PC Mills Park.

Nicole Jacobson, Nate Gaudreault, Abby Souders, Jarad Corzine, Meghan Burkett and Sara Bear are organizing the day’s activities, which consist of croquet, soccer, boomerang and bocee. Children also can design their own flags at a craft station and receive stamps on their personal passports as they try different games. Other Fun Day features include refreshments and a visit from Spike the Bulldog.

Students also are planning self-defense workshops, Hershey’s track meet and a fishing/nature day at Thousand Hills State Park.

Truman’s Educator of the Year committee has announced 12 semi-finalists from its field of nominated professors.

Students recommended 26 professors for the designation. The original nominees submitted a sample syllabus and a response to an essay prompt. The committee selected the semi-finalists based on these items and the nomination form.

The top 12 educators include: Andrea Davis, instructor in French and German; Alan Garvey, associate professor of computer science; Jon Gering, assistant professor of biology; Teresa Heckert, associate professor of psychology; John Ishiyama, professor of political science; Jeanne Mitchell, instructor in biology; Maria Nagan, assistant professor of chemistry; Lee Orchard, professor of theatre; Eric Patterson, associate professor of chemistry; Priscilla Riggle, associate professor of English; Lynn Rose, associate professor of history; and Karon Speckman, associate professor of communication.

Next, the committee will distribute questionnaires in the semi-finalist’s classes March 29-April 8. This information will be used to choose six finalists from which the winner will be chosen. Class observations are the last step in selection process.

Students from Student Senate, the Pershing Society and Phi Kappa Phi serve on the Educator of the Year committee.

The 2005 Educator of the Year will be announced at 6 p.m., May 3, at a banquet in the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

Michael Angelo, security manager in Government Engagements for the Microsoft Corporation, is this year’s Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer.

Angelo will visit from Seattle, and give two lectures April 13.

He will speak on "New Threats for Security in Large Scale Systems" from noon-1 p.m., in the McCreight Classroom on the campus of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), A.T. Still University. “Security vs. Privacy is the topic of his lecture from 7:30-8:30 p.m., in Truman's Student Union Building Alumni Room.

Angelo has almost 30 years of experience in the computer industry with more than 20 in the area of designing, implementing, managing and supporting secure Intranets and Internets. He currently holds 39 patents and was recognized as the Inventor of the Year for the city of Houston, in 2003.

For more information on the Sigma Xi Lecture, visit http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/lectureships/0506.shtml.

Sigma Xi is scientific research society with the mission of honoring scientific accomplishments, encouraging and enhancing worldwide appreciation and support for original investigation in science and technology and fostering worldwide a creative and dynamic interaction among science, technology and society. The Kirksville chapter joins Truman and KCOM students and professors.

Contact Laura Fielden at 785.4624 or by e-mail at lfielden@truman.edu for more information on Sigma Xi or the lecture event.

For the first time at Truman, University and Kirksville community members can help individuals who suffer from multiple sclerosis.

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is sponsoring an MS Walk on Truman’s campus April 9. The event runs from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Stokes Stadium.

Those interested in donating their time should contact Kim Getman at 785.5021 or by e-mail at kmg206@truman.edu to sign up. A $10 registration fee is required of all participants. Walkers/Runners can also obtain pledges to raise additional funds for the cause.

Participants will enjoy live music and entertainment as well as refreshments during the walk.

All proceeds from the event go to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America and their efforts to ease the suffering of the individuals and families affected by the disease.

April 10-16 marks a weeklong celebration of the many roles that libraries play in peoples’ lives.

Truman’s Pickler Memorial Library will observe National Library Week by reminding the University of the range and collection of services offered at Pickler. Last year alone, 600,000 people visited the Library and more than 110,000 books were checked out.

Staff also will conduct an annual survey of Library patrons during the week. This brief questionnaire allows the Pickler staff to determine how well the Library is meeting the needs of faculty, staff and students.

Based on survey results from last year, the Library made a number of changes this year. For instance, staff conducted a “Quiet” campaign and added new study rooms on the third floor in response to a request for more quiet areas. Also, the Library moved the copy machines, added a color copier, made laptop computers available for in-library use, and instituted longer loan periods for media materials and MOBIUS books. Other developments came about during the last year in answer to survey requests.

To help the Library to continue improvements in the next academic year, the Pickler staff encourages the University community to complete the surveys in the Library lobby. A prize will be given away each day of the week to a randomly chosen survey respondent who entered their name into the drawing.

The Truman Bookstore has a new manager at the head of its operations.

Steve Pennington took over the position in mid-February. Pennington and his wife graduated from Truman in 1989.

Steve Pennington worked in management at Wal-Mart for 15 years before returning to the University. He moved to Kirksville six years ago.

Pennington said he is excited about joining the Truman community.

“I am committed to providing you with excellent service and operating the store as an integral part of the University and its mission,” he said.

Check out the Student Research Conference Web site at http://src.truman.edu.

• View full conference program
• Browse or search all presentation abstracts
• Study biography of Plenary speaker

New features of the Web site

• Create custom schedule of presentations and events to attend
• Student authors have the opportunity to upload files and Web links to accompany their online abstracts

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the following open forums.

Associate vice president for enrollment management candidate: Daniel L. Meyer

Open forum with faculty and staff

4 p.m.
April 6
Student Union Building Alumni Room

Open forum with students

5 p.m.
April 6
Student Union Building Alumni Room

Meyer’s resume can be found at the following Web site: http://www.truman.edu/avpem.

Student Senate and the Residential College Program are seeking students interested in helping to select the books for the 2006 Summer Reading Program.

Participation as a Fellow can fulfill a scholarship requirement, but all Truman students on good academic standing are eligible to become Fellows.

For a complete description of the job responsibilities and an application, go to http://rcp.truman.edu/summerreading.htm.

Bring seeds you don’t plan to use to trade with others or simply take seeds. No need to make a donation.

Free and open to all

Contact George Shinn at 785.4339 or Steve Carroll at 785.4610 for more information

1-6 p.m.
April 9
Student Union Building

The Leadership Extravaganza will provide an opportunity for students to gather to learn about leadership, about themselves in leadership, and the ways leadership is found in our community. All students will be welcomed to the Leadership Extravaganza.

Last date for pre-registration will be April 7. After this date students will be able to register at the door.

Student Union Building third floor

12:30 p.m. – Late Registration
1 p.m. – Opening Speaker
1:15 p.m. – Program Session 1
2:05 p.m. – Program Session 2
2:55 p.m. – Program Session 3
3:45 p.m. – Program Session 4
3:50 p.m. – Program Session 5
4:40 p.m. – Roundtable Discussions
5:30 p.m. – Closing Social

The International Student Affairs Office is starting a new program to help international students adjust to life at Truman. New scholarship job positions of "Hall Hosts" will be created for the 2005-2006 academic year.

International Hall Hosts are students who live in the residence halls and act as an invaluable resource to incoming and current international students. Hall Hosts will be responsible for helping international students get acclimated to their new surroundings in the United States and at Truman. Hall Hosts will also help the students settle into their residence halls and explain the basic workings of the residence halls (including how to use e-mail, do laundry and make out-of-country phone calls). 

Hall Hosts must be living on-campus during the 2005-2006 school year and are required to return to campus by 1 p.m. Aug. 15 for training.  Hall Hosts will also have meetings with their students to pass along information from the International Student Affairs Office. 

All room hours, meetings, and social events will be counted towards the Hall Host's scholarship job requirement. 

If you have any questions or would like to apply for the position, please contact Kara Burns at KaraLynn@truman.edu or 785.5743.

Please read a memo by Sujit Chemburkar about the upcoming Student Union Building renovation at http://trumantoday.truman.edu/StudentUnionRenovation.pdf.

Student Senate is sponsoring a letter-writing campaign to Jefferson City legislators encouraging them not to cut funding for higher education. Stop by the SUB Office or the Student Senate Office to pick up materials. The campaign will run through April 30.

Communication Majors: Confused about registering for classes? At 7 p.m., April 5, in BH 272A, communication faculty and students will be available to discuss scheduling options. The event is sponsored by the communication discipline, Lambda Pi Eta, the Advertising and Public Relations Club and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring Act! Speak! Build! Week April 5-7 on the Quadrangle. The week is part of a worldwide, student-initiated day to advocate affordable housing.

The Weekly Lunch Series will continue to share ideas on “How I Handled Cheating and Plagiarism in my Course” from 12:30-1:30 p.m., April 6, in the SUB Spanish Room. Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 785.4391 for more information.

The student-directed lab show, “Language of Angels” will run from April 6-9. The performance begins at 8 p.m., in the OP Black Box Theatre. Paul Kastner is the show’s director. Admission is free and on a first-come, first-seated basis. For more details, contact Hannah Smith at hes919@truman.edu or 785.5815.

Applications for SERVE Center student workers are due by 5 p.m., April 7, in the CSI.

Cheerleading tryouts will take place April 8-10. The gym will be open for practice at 5:30 p.m., April 8, in the Pershing Small Gym. Registration and the clinic will begin at 8:30 a.m., April 9, in Pershing Arena. Tryouts start at 9 a.m., April 10, in Pershing Arena. Contact Alisha Bollinger at 785.4577 for more information.

The weekly Tech Break for faculty and staff will be from 2-3 p.m., April 8, in the SUB Alumni Room. Contact Matt Moore at mrmoore@truman.edu or Diane Richmond at dianer@truman.edu for more information.

Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is sponsoring a free lock-in at 10 p.m., April 8, in the Student Recreation Center. Bring an additional pair of shoes to work-out in. Doors lock at 11 p.m. Contact Tammy Tolliver at 785.5348 for more information.

The Child Development Center Parent Booster Club is having a yard sale April 9 to raise funds for extra playground items and various other materials for children. The sale will begin at 7 a.m., and end when interest wanes. At noon, Alpha Sigma Gamma is sponsoring a Service Auction at which they will offer their help with various household chores, yard work and/or baby-sitting. For more information, call Jennifer Matteson at 785.4229.

Alpha Kappa Alpha invites all students to their Think Pink Party April 9. The celebration begins at 11:08 p.m., at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Admission is $4 if you wear pink and $5 otherwise. Contact Tammy Tolliver at 785.5348 for more information.

Dan and Gaylene Green will be visiting Kirksville April 10. The Greens will be assisting churches of Christ in campus ministry at Truman, A.T. Still University and the Moberly Area Community College. Dan Green will preach at the Kirksville Church of Christ at 11 a.m. In addition, Ekklesia will be having a free private bowling party from 1-2 p.m., April 10, at Leisure World. For transportation or more information, call 627.4003.

The Division of Fine Arts will present “Visually Musical” at 8 p.m., April 10, in Baldwin Auditorium. The show is a collaboration of dancers and Mostly Live Composers in partial fulfillment of Theater 481. Free admission. Contact Beth Austin at 785.5659 for more information.

SAB is sponsoring “The Hollywood Showdown Gameshow” at 7 p.m., April 11, in Baldwin Auditorium. The interactive show is hosted by Gervase of “Survivor: Season 1.” Audience members will have the chance to win big prizes such as TVs, DVD players, DVDs and more. Call the SAB Office at 785.4722 for more information.

David McKamie, professor of music, will present a solo piano recital featuring the complete Etudes, Op. 10 of Frederic Chopin at 8 p.m., April 11, in the OP Performance Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

University Counseling Services, Bacchus and Gamma, and MO PIP are sponsoring National Alcohol Screening Day. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., April 12, on the Mall, individuals can be screened to see if alcohol plays a negative role in their lives. Students can receive resource information about alcohol and substance abuse and participate in mock-drinking activities. Individuals who complete a survey will have a chance to win various raffle prizes. Free non-alcoholic drinks will be available too. Contact Phil Jorn at 785.4014 or pjorn@truman.edu for more information.

MOSERS and the Social Security Office will present two Pre-Retirement Planning seminars for Truman employees from 1:30-4 p.m., April 12 and 13, in the SUB Alumni Room. Please plan to attend one of these sessions if you are within 10 years of retirement or just interested. R.S.V.P. at http://hr.truman.edu/register/.

Marc Rice, associate professor of music, will be presenting “The French Music of Louisiana: A Matter of Family” at the Truman Faculty Forum at 7 p.m., April 12, in VH 1000. A reception will follow. Go to http://forum.truman.edu for more information.

Students can enjoy a German Culture Evening from 6-8 p.m., April 13, in the SUB Down Under. Students and faculty will perform music, poetry, miniplays and skits.

Instructional Design Services will host the first Educational Pod Casting Symposium April 15. The meeting will be from 3-4:30 p.m., in PML 205 and is open to all students, faculty and staff interested in learning more about pod casting and its use in higher education.

The Society of Dance Arts is sponsoring Dance Fusion 2005: “Shall We Dance?” April 21 and 22. Free to the public, the dance recital will take place at 7 p.m., in Baldwin Auditorium. Guests include High Street Dancers, the University Swingers, Showgirls, Ceilidh Dancers and Praise Dancers. Contact Beth Austin at 785.5659 for more information.

SAB will present country singer Pat Green live in concert April 22. Doors will open at 7 p.m., in Pershing Arena for the event. Tickets can be picked up at the SAB Office in the lower level of the SUB. The cost is $7 with a student ID and $15 for general admission. Call 785. 4722 for more information.

Dobson Hall Senate will sponsor Squirrelfest at 1 p.m., April 23, in the Dobson Hall Courtyard. The event brings together Truman bands as well as musical groups from other areas of Missouri for a free, live concert. Contact Shea Cleveland at 785.5181 or sac637@truman.edu for more information.

James Fox will give a lecture titled “Serial Killers Among Us” at 8 p.m., April 26, in Baldwin Auditorium. Fox will examine the minds, motives and capture of the infamous serial killers of our time. Lambda Alpha Epsilon is sponsoring the event. Contact Michelle Foard at 785.4738 for more information.

SAB’s annual spring carnival, Dog Days, will be from noon-5 p.m., April 30, in the McClain parking lot. The afternoon’s activities include free food, booths, inflatables and music. Contact Naomi Davis at 785.4722 or nd133@truman.edu for more information.

Alpha Sigma Gamma is sponsoring the annual 5K/10K Run/Walk for their Lives April 30. Registration tables will be set-up in the SUB from 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., April18-21 and April 25-28 or in the Student Recreation Center from 3-7 p.m., April 25-29. Registration costs $10 ahead of time and $12 on the day of the race. All proceeds benefit families of two Truman students with extensive medical bills. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m., at the Centennial Hall crosswalk. Contact Gina Stierwalt at 665.8910 for more information.

The Annual Service Recognition Banquet will be at 6:30 p.m., May 9, in the SUB Georgian Room. Tickets are available in the Human Resources Office in MC 106 for $10 each.