Vol. 10 No. 4 - September 20, 2005

Deborah Stone, research professor of government and public policy at Dartmouth College, will visit Truman State University Sept. 29-30, as a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar. During her stay she will present a public lecture, conduct seminars, and meet with faculty and students.  
Stone has taught politics and public policy at Duke, MIT, and Brandeis. She has served on advisory commissions for the Social Security Administration, the Human Genome Commission, and the Institute of Medicine. In addition she has authored many books including “Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making,” “The Disabled State,” and “The Limits of Professional Power: National Health Care in the Federal Republic of Germany.” In addition to scholarly articles on health and social policy, she writes for American Prospect, Nation, and New Republic. Her current research focuses on the place of altruism in public life and on public policy toward care giving.

An additional public seminar will be offered at 1:30, Sept. 29, in the Student Union Building Governors Room titled “Writing and the Art of Persuasion.” In this seminar, Stone will talk about writing for popular audiences and how it differs from scholarly writing. Stone will conduct a public lecture titled “The Paradox of Altruism” at 8:15 p.m., Sept. 29, in Violette Hall 1000. This lecture will draw on stories of extraordinary rescuers and ordinary, everyday altruism to understand the rewards people get from helping others and the paradoxical ways altruism works in our lives.

At 11:30 a.m., Sept. 30, in the Student Union Building Governors Room, Stone will present a public discussion of “When Patients Go to Market: Why the U.S. Health Insurance System is Falling Apart.” This talk explores why market-based reforms in health care never seem to solve the problems they are intended to fix.

As a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar, Stone will visit several campuses this year at the invitation of their Phi Beta Kappa chapters. Truman is one of four campuses in Missouri that hosts chapters of this prestigious honor society for the liberal arts and sciences. Truman is only the second public Missouri university to be so honored.

Support for Stone’s visit is provided by the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Charles J. McClain, president emeritus of Truman State University, and the health and exercise science program.

The Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program makes available each year twelve or more distinguished scholars who visit 100 colleges and universities with chapters of Phi Beta Kappa. They spend two days on each campus, meeting informally with students and faculty members, taking part in classroom discussions, and giving a public lecture open to the entire academic community. This program aims to contribute to the intellectual life of the institution by making possible an exchange of ideas between the Visiting Scholars and the resident faculty and students. Now entering its 50th year, the Visiting Scholar Program has sent 518 Scholars on some 4,500 two-day visits since the 1956-57 academic year.

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society. It has chapters at 170 colleges and universities, and more than 600,000 members.

The Vice President’s Office is now accepting nominations for the 2005-2006 Walker and Doris Allen Fellowship for Faculty Excellence. The Allens established the Fellowship with one of the largest outright gifts ever made to the Truman State University Foundation. The $10,000 Walker and Doris Allen Fellowships recognize outstanding faculty members who have exemplarily contributed to the success of the University and its students. Up to three faculty members are selected each year.

The Fellowships are open to all tenured or tenure-track faculty who have completed at least four years of full-time service at Truman. Faculty may be nominated for the Fellowship by Truman faculty colleagues, academic divisions, or disciplines.

To nominate an eligible faculty member, send a letter of nomination to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs addressed to the Allen Fellowship Selection Committee. The letter of nomination should be no longer than one page and should address how you believe the faculty member fulfills the selection criteria. Please deliver a signed hardcopy of the letter to McClain Hall 203, or send it through campus mail or by fax to 785.7460. Visit http://www.truman.edu/pages/125.asp for details, including the selection criteria.

Nominations are due to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs by Sept. 30. Contact Erika Woehlk at ewoehlk@truman.edu for additional information.

The Office of Admission is now accepting applications for students interested in being part of a new telecounseling program. Students’ primary responsibilities will include representing Truman through telephone contact and electronic communications with prospective students.
 
The Admissions Office is looking for motivated and enthusiastic students to be part of this pilot program. This is a great opportunity for students to share their Truman experience with prospective students and help them through the application process.

The hours of operation are as follows: Sunday, 3-9 p.m. and Monday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m. Students will be paid the student hourly wage of $5.30, and scholarship and work study positions are also available. For more information, contact Matt Hanley at 785.4114 or matth@truman.edu. Applications are available in the Admissions Office, McClain Hall 205.

The Truman State University Equestrian Team will be hosting a Western ISHA Horse Show beginning at 10 a.m., Sept. 24, and continuing at 8 a.m., Sept. 25, at the University Farm.

Participants for this intercollegiate event will include students from Northern Illinois University, Missouri State University, Black Hawk Community College, Kansas State University, and possibly Washington University and Culver-Stockton College.

This western show will feature events from beginner walk-trot to advanced reining and pattern classes. Each participant is evaluated and qualifies for a predetermined class. This ensures that the competition will be equal for all contestants. Unlike some equestrian competitions, the emphasis is on how well the participants ride the horses.

The Truman Equestrian team has about 75 members and about 40 will be participating in this show. Each student who hopes to compete in the show is asked to pay a $20 entry fee. Admission is free for spectators.

Contact Noelle Hunt at 785.7141 for additional information about this event.

Senior biology major Adam Petry is on the prowl. Last spring, Petry and Scott Burt, associate professor of biology at Truman, captured five bobcats in Adair County and have been tracking their movements around the area since.

The capture of the animals kicked off Petry’s research study Home Range Size of the Bobcat in Missouri. The project studies the movement patterns of bobcats in Northeast Missouri using a tracking system called manual VHF telemetry. In this system, each captured cat is fitted with a radio collar which transmits signals to a receiver. By attaching an antenna to the receiver, the researchers can observe the specific directions of the bobcats. Using this telemetry software, Petry and his team can identify the animals’ locations and correlate them with previous locations, habitat variables, and proximity to other bobcats.

Petry’s motivation for the project stems from his personal interest in conservation biology, especially with carnivores, his previous work in ocelot research in the Panamanian rainforests, and his love of the great outdoors.

“When I came to Truman, my real motivation was in finding a balance between the outdoors and academics,” Petry said. “I knew I couldn’t be a classroom junkie all day.”

When the Missouri Department of Conservation recently opened a statewide hunting and trapping season for bobcats for the first time in more than 30 years, Petry decided to launch the project.

The research team continues to gather data on the bobcats. They hope to identify how far the bobcats travel, what habitat they use, and the causes for their movement. According to the project’s Web site, these factors are important because a minimal amount of information on the habitat use and home-range size of bobcats in highly agricultural settings is currently available. Petry and the research team also seek to explore the debate of bobcat sustainability in Northeast Missouri and help to create a larger and more accurate picture of large cat patterns throughout the Midwest region.

Petry and his team hope to continue the study indefinitely. However, funds are extremely tight right now. Those interested in learning more about the project should visit the study’s Web site at http://bobcats.truman.edu to check out more detailed information about the project and several photographs of the bobcat capture process.

Members of the Scottish Rite Foundation presented a check for $5,000 to faculty and staff of the Truman State University Communication Disorders Program on Sept. 6.

Funds will be used specifically for the purchase of new diagnostic and therapy materials for the Truman RiteCare Early Literacy Lab. The mission of the lab is to facilitate literacy development in children who are at high risk for literacy problems. Assessment and intervention service for young children in the areas of speech, language, phonemic awareness and emergent literacy are provided through the Lab in conjunction with the Speech and Hearing Clinic. The primary philanthropy of the Scottish Rite Organization is the RiteCare Childhood Language Program, a program dedicated to combating childhood language disorders.

Sept. 21

“Speak Out: Soapbox for Democracy”
1-3 p.m.
Quadrangle
(Rain Site: SUB Alumni Room)

Students, faculty and staff are invited to step up to the microphone and speak their minds (limited to three minutes) about the
U.S. Constitution; current events surrounding the Constitution; and executive, legislative and judicial issues related to the Constitution.

"The Constitution and the Power of the President After 9/11: Has Everything Changed?"
3 p.m.
SUB Alumni Room
Dan Mandell, associate professor of history, and Paul Parker, professor of political science, will give an open presentation.

All day
SUB
The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) will have a booth set up distributing free copies of the U.S. Constitution, fun facts, and more.

Visit http://vpaa.truman.edu/ for more information.

Cultural Chat: What it means being Hispanic in the United States
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
MAC Down Under - Adair Building

People may attend and learn about the rich Hispanic culture as it pertains to Truman and the Kirksville community. This meeting will also confront and disseminate the stereotypes of the Hispanic population. All are welcome to attend.

Movie Night Series: “Crash”
8 p.m.
Sept. 22
Violette Hall 1000

“Platanos and Collard Greens” production
7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29
Baldwin Auditorium

David Lamb’s “Platanos and Collard Greens” asks if love between a black man and a Latina woman can survive. This tale of romance between college students fuses the poetry of hip-hop with the intellect of W.E.B. Dubois to drop science about history and race. This fast-paced story is filled with wit, satire and touching emotion.

First Sunday Dinner: “Hispanic Heritage Festival”
5-7 p.m.
Oct. 2
Ryle Hall Main Lounge

R.S.V.P. is required. Call 785.4142 to reserve a plate (limited to the first 100 people).

Latin Dance Party
6-8 p.m.-Dance lessons
9-11 p.m.-Dance party
Oct. 8
Student Union Building Down Under

People may attend and learn salsa moves and afterwards, strut their newly learned moves at the biggest Latin dance party of the year. Refreshments will be provided.

Topic: The U.S. should pay its bill in full.
8 p.m. • Sept. 28
Baldwin Little Theatre (BH 176)

The British Debate
Topic: U.S. soldiers should agree to wear the “Blue” helmet.
8 p.m. • Oct. 3
SUB Activities Room

Topic: The U.S. should urge the Security Council to expand its permanent membership.
8 p.m. • Oct. 10
Baldwin Little Theatre (BH 176)

Topic: The UN should have a standing army.
8 p.m. • Oct. 19
Baldwin Little Theatre (BH 176)

Topic: The U.S. should abide by the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
8 p.m. • Nov. 2
Baldwin Little Theatre (BH 176)

Topic: The U.S. should cease production and exportation of landmines and sign the UN convention.
8 p.m. • Nov. 15
Baldwin Little Theatre (BH 176)

SAVE THE DATE

5:30 p.m.
Oct. 5
SUB Governors Room

Volunteers or for $10/round honorarium

All volunteers are welcome (faculty, staff, graduate students and community members). Current Truman undergraduates are not eligible.

Contact Kevin Minch at 785.5677 or kminch@truman.edu for more information.

Volunteer forms are available at http://forensics.truman.edu/tournament.html.

Dainielle Fox, a senior health science major from St. Louis, has finished her Girl Scout Gold Award project and was chosen as one of the Young Women of Distinction. She was one of 25 girls in the United States to receive this award. Fox will travel to Atlanta for one week on an all-expense paid trip on Oct. 7-12 where she will attend the National Girl Scout Convention and awards dinner.

The Funds Allotment Council is currently looking for a “student at large” to help make new member selections. The “student at large” needs to be an unbiased student representative who can be available at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 to help conduct interviews for new members of the Funds Allotment Council. Contact Julie Kubiak at 785.4979 for more information.

Sigma Chi Delta recruitment will continue until Sept. 23. Go to http://sigmachidelta.truman.edu for more information or contact Jamie Larson at 314.330.9344.

The Society of Professional Journalists will have an internship panel at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 20, in the Baldwin Hall Little Theatre. Students will have the opportunity to hear about others' experiences with newspaper, magazine and broadcast internships. Contact Alison Bowen at alb735@truman.edu for more information.

The Center for Teaching and Learning will continue its Weekly Lunch Series for faculty, teaching staff and GTRAs at 12:30-1:30 p.m., Sept. 21, in the SUB Spanish Room. Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 785.4477 for more information.

Rotaract Club is sponsoring a Che Guevara and Latin America presentation from 7-9 p.m., Sept. 21, in SUB Room 309. This event is in concordance with “The Motorcycle Diaries” that was shown on Sept. 16. Truman history professor and Latin American specialist Marc Becker will be speaking on the later life of Che Guevara and the current state of politics and society in Latin America. For more information, contact Brynn Weimer at 665.3452 or at bew935@truman.edu.

Alpha Kappa Psi presents George Ludwig from 7:30-9 p.m., Sept. 21, in the SUB Georgian Room. Students who are interested in joining this professional business fraternity may stay after for a reception and to meet the brothers. Contact Ellen Hart at 314.265.7195 or at ellenchart@yahoo.com for more information.

Amnesty International is sponsoring a Peace Vigil that will begin at 8 p.m., Sept. 21, at the Flame to the Second Century. This will be a chance for everyone to celebrate International Peace Day. Those who have peace poems they would like to read are encouraged to bring them. For more information, contact Sarah Deady at shdeady@hotmail.com.
 
Pre-Law Club will be practicing the LSAT for the first time this semester from 6:30-7:10 p.m., Sept. 22, in Violette Hall 1430. Contact Ryan Lewis at 314.706.5435 or at rsl137@truman.edu for additional information.

Truman professors and students present “Archaeology Symposium,” from 7-9 p.m., Sept. 22, in the SUB Governors Room. This event is an evening of presentations by students and faculty regarding archaeological research and field experiences. For more information, contact Amber Johnson at ajohnson@truman.edu.

Faculty and staff apparel pre-orders for Truman Homecoming 2005, Branded a Bulldog, are requested by Sept. 23. Homecoming apparel will be available in short sleeve T-shirts ($10), long sleeve T-shirts ($15), crew neck sweatshirts ($20) and hooded sweatshirts ($25). Each style is available in black or grey and in sizes S-XXXL. Faculty and staff apparel pre-order forms are available in the CSI and the Business Office.

The last day to drop a full-term fall 2005 course without a W appearing on transcript is Sept. 23. Students may drop courses via TruView using their fall 2005 RAC number, or in person in the Registrar’s Office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A $50 add/drop fee will be assessed. Contact A. Kay Anderson at 785.4143 or registrar@truman.edu for more information.

The Biology Seminar Series continues with “In Focus: Nature Through the Camera” from 12:30-1:20 p.m., Sept. 23, in Magruder Hall 2050. Jim Rathert, nature photographer for the Missouri Department of Conservation will deliver the presentation.

The faculty/staff Tech Break will feature Matt Moore and Carolyn Wriedt discussing TruView and what it does for faculty and staff members from 2:30-3:30 p.m., Sept. 23, in the SUB Governors Room.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) will meet at 4:30 p.m., Sept. 23, at the University Club. Contact Marc Becker at 785.6036 for more information.

The International Club Semiformal will be from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Sept. 23, in the SUB Down Under.

The Truman State Anthropology Club presents “Archaeology Open House” from 1-4 p.m., Sept. 25, in the SUB Alumni Room. This event will feature a variety of archaeological displays and activities for all ages. For additional information, contact Amber Johnson at ajohnson@truman.edu.

David Dillard and Shannon McGinnis will perform Franz Schubert’s "Winterreise" from 7:30-9 p.m., Sept. 26, in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. Dillard will be featured on baritone; McGinnis will be featured on piano. For additional information, contact McGinnis at 785.4446.

The Assessment Colloquium will be from 4:30-6 p.m., Sept. 27, in the SUB Spanish Room. This session will feature reports from faculty who have received assessment grants, and provide an opportunity for the entire campus to have access to the conclusions drawn from research using Truman’s collected assessment data. Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 785.4391 for more information.

Windfall is sponsoring a Banned Books Reading from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sept. 28, on the Mall. Anyone is welcome to come listen or read. Contact Christina Stroetker at 627.3827 for more information.

The Observatory will be open to the public weather permitting from 8:30-10:30 p.m., Sept. 29, at the University Farm. Go to http://observatory.truman.edu for additional information.

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award applications are available in the Dean of Student Affairs Office, Kirk Building 112. Nominations are due Sept. 30 and completed applications need to be returned by Oct. 21. For more information visit http://saffairs.truman.edu, stop by Kirk Building 112, or call 785.4111.

The new Faculty Dinner Series will take place from 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 30, in the SUB Governors Room. Faculty are encouraged to come learn about programs and offices on campus. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Contact Julie Lochbaum at 785.4391 or at lochbaum@truman.edu for additional information.