Vol. 10 No. 5 - September 27, 2005

An informational meeting about the Missouri Government Internship Program has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Oct. 5, in the Student Union Building Governors Room. Pizza will be provided.

The Missouri Government Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for students to intern at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo., with a public official, legislator or state agency during the spring 2006 semester. The internship, which is open to all majors, provides an inside look at state government.

The interns live in Jefferson City and receive a stipend of $2,500. Interns may earn up to 15 hours of credit.

All juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply. Applications are available in the Public Relations Office in McClain Hall 101 or online at http://career.truman.edu/student/internship/mogov_app.pdf.

For priority consideration, completed applications are due by Oct. 7 in McClain Hall 101. A screening committee will review the applications and interviews will be conducted Oct. 11-12 for the spring 2006 legislative internships.

Interested students can contact Candy Young at 785.4650 or Heidi Templeton at 785.4016 for more information.

The General Honors Committee and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be sponsoring an informational reception at 4:45 p.m., Oct. 6, in the Violette Hall Commons for students interested in pursuing General Honors.

In addition to the General Honors program, information will be available on competitive scholarships, such as Goldwater and Rhodes scholarships. Refreshments will be served.

Truman State University’s General Honors Program is not the typical honors program. With Truman’s outstanding student body, highly-qualified faculty and staff, small class sizes, interdisciplinary seminars, and Residential College Program, all students receive benefits that many universities would only offer to honor students.

All Truman State University students are eligible to pursue General Honors by taking and completing five approved courses, with at least one from each of the four areas of mathematics, natural science, social science, and humanities, and maintaining a GPA of at least 3.5 in those five courses and a 3.5 overall GPA.  The approved courses have been chosen by the faculty of the respective disciplines as being classes whose successful completion by a non-major is especially noteworthy. 

Students who complete a single undergraduate major may not satisfy the General Honors requirements with any course in their major field, but this requirement is waived for double majors. Upon completion of these requirements, the successful honors candidates are recognized in a special medal ceremony sponsored by the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Northeast Missouri.

For more information contact the chair of the General Honors Committee, Patricia Burton, at 785.7427 or the Vice President for Academic Affairs’ office at 785.4109.

Students from Truman State University’s speech and debate team (The Forensic Union) started off the 2005-2006 season with a bang, capturing tournament championships in debate and two individual events at the Purdue University “Boilermaker Special,” Sept. 16-18 in West Lafayette, Ind.

Stefani Wittenauer, a junior communication and political science double major from Belleville, Ill., and Sara Archer, a sophomore pre-business administration and pre-accounting double major from Riverside, Mo., took the tournament championship in parliamentary debate, defeating the top team from Western Kentucky University on a 3-0 decision. Elizabeth Hobbs, a senior biology major from Newton, Kan., took the tournament championship in persuasive speaking while teammate Meghana Kunkala, a senior biology major from Chino, Calif., was champion in rhetorical criticism.

Hobbs was also second in rhetorical criticism and fifth in extemporaneous speaking. Three additional teams reached elimination rounds in parliamentary debate. Reaching the octafinal round (“sweet sixteen”) of the tournament was the team of Todd Turner, a sophomore communication major from Chesterfield, Mo., and Christopher Girouard, a freshman from Chesterfield, Mo. Advancing to quarterfinals were the teams of Justin Perkins, a senior economics major from Jefferson City, Mo., and Nick Zotos, a freshman justice systems major from Chesterfield, Mo., and Keith Schnakenberg, a junior political science and communication double major from Buffalo, Mo., and Christopher Dove, a freshman biology major from Chesterfield, Mo. Both the Girouard/Turner and Perkins/Zotos pairs were eliminated by meeting Archer and Wittenauer in the elimination bracket. Schnakenberg was the sixth-ranked speaker in the division, while Archer placed eighth and Perkins ninth.

In tournament sweepstakes, awards that measure programmatic breadth and depth across all teams and events, Truman placed third in individual events, second in debate, and second in the combined debate and individual events category.

The Forensic Union is a co-curricular program of the Division of Language and Literature, drawing its competitors from throughout the University’s majors. It is supported by a combination of University funds, alumni donations and campus fund raising. The Forensic Union is open to all interested students. Inquiries about the program should be directed to the director of forensics at 785.5677 or kminch@truman.edu.

The Missouri Mu Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Truman State University was recognized for Excellence in Alumni Communications at the fraternity’s 49th Grand Chapter Conclave in Nashville, Tenn., during the week of Aug. 10-14.

During the 2003-2005 biennium, the Truman chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon engaged the public relations firm of Design Manifesto in Richmond, Va., to produce and manage a special Web site for its alumni members and to publish the chapter’s alumni newsletter, The Brick. The award-winning Web site may be viewed at http://www.momualumni.org and the current edition of The Brick may be viewed there in PDF format.

The new Truman Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni Web site and award-winning newsletter were produced during the presidencies of Scott Dresser, a senior accounting major from Overland Park, Kan., and Tyler Wood, a senior justice systems and psychology double major from Columbia, Mo. Truman Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni involved in the project included Patrick Fontana ’95, Matthew Judkins ’95, and Ryan Brennan ’95. Design Manifesto is contracted with the Sigma Phi Epsilon national headquarters in Richmond to work with individual campus chapters of the fraternity in the area of alumni communications.

Representing Truman’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at the Nashville Conclave in August were Wood, Jaret Copeman, a sophomore exercise science major from Cameron, Mo., and Mike Self, a junior pre-accounting major from Ballwin, Mo., and Roger Festa, professor of chemistry. Festa is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation in Richmond.

Hispanic Heritage Month events will continue this week on campus. At 7:30 p.m., Sept. 29, in Baldwin Auditorium, David Lamb’s “Platanos and Collard Greens” will be presented. This play explores whether love between a black man and a Latina woman can survive. “Platanos and Collard Greens” is a tale of romance between college students that fuses the poetry of hip-hop with the intellect of W.E.B. Dubois to end the focus on science about history and race. Admission is free.

The First Sunday Dinner: “Hispanic Heritage Festival,” will take place from 5-7 p.m., Oct. 2, in the Ryle Hall Main Lounge. R.S.V.P. is required. Call 785.4142 to reserve a plate (limited to the first 100 people).

The Latin Dance Party will be the final Hispanic Heritage Month Event. Dance lessons will be given from 6-8 p.m., Oct. 8, in the SUB Down Under. A dance party will follow from 9-11 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to learn salsa moves and put them to use. Refreshments will be served.

The TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Research Fellowship was established to honor the pioneering work of the late Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, Michigan State University professor and TIAA Trustee. Students may apply for the TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Research Fellowship if they are a current graduate student in a program at an accredited U.S. college or university, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher, engaged in research relating to the African Diaspora, and the author of an original, cutting-edge research paper on an aspect of the African Diaspora.

Students may currently apply online at http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org for this fellowship until Oct. 15.

Sept. 28

Session One: 8:40–11:40 a.m., Violette Hall 1000
8:40 a.m.        Sherry Ritter
9 a.m.             Ava Epps
9:20 a.m.        Kovel Walker
9:40 a.m.        Amber Byrd
10 a.m.           Laura Corona
10:20 a.m.      Nina Ellis-Hervey
10:40 a.m.      Starr Skinner
11 a.m.           Tammy Tolliver
11:20 a.m.      Carla Tillman

Luncheon: noon–1:30 p.m., SUB Georgian Room
R.S.V.P. required.

Session Two: 1:40–4 p.m., Violette Hall 1000
1:40 p.m.       Stephen Huss
2 p.m.            James Perry
2:20 p.m.       Brandon Gordon
2:40 p.m.       Chris Lindley
3 p.m.            Chinaka Agwu
3:20 p.m.       Keisha Hatcher
3:40 p.m.       Alexandria Lockett

Students may attend an informational meeting for prospective Scholars at 6 p.m., Oct. 5, in Violette Hall 1236. Students must have achieved at least sophomore status. The deadline for submission of applications is Nov. 10.

The McNair Program is funded by the Department of Education to provide students from disadvantaged backgrounds with effective preparation for doctoral studies. Students may contact Sarah Hass at 785.5393 to see if they are eligible or if they have any questions.

Deborah Stone

Writing and the Art of Persuasion
1:30 p.m.
Sept. 29
SUB Governors Room

The Paradox of Altruism
8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29
Violette Hall 1000

When Patients Go to Market: Why the U.S. Health Insurance System is Falling Apart
11:30 a.m.
Sept. 30
SUB Governors Room

In collaboration with the Student Union and Apple Computer, the RCP announces Truman’s first ever student produced film festival.

The 10 best short films (3 to 8 minutes each) will be premiered at
11 p.m.
Sept. 29
in the SUB Activities Room.

Come help select the Audience Award Winner. Door prizes will be awarded.

Physics Colloquium
What are we learning about extrasolar planets?
4:30 p.m.
Oct. 5
Barnett Hall 251

Public Talk
Intelligent Design:
An Introduction
7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5
SUB Alumni Room

These events are free and open to the public.

A suggested entry donation of $5 will go to the Red Cross for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina. Students can win a prize of $75, $50, or $25 in philanthropy money to the United Way will be awarded in their name to the top three parade entries that best incorporate Truman’s Homecoming theme, “Branded a Bulldog.”

Applications are available from the CSI, SUB Room 105, the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce, or at http://homecoming.truman.edu/.
 
Applications are due at 5 p.m., Oct. 11, in the CSI. Call 785.4222 for more information or fax 785.7435.

Ribbon Cutting of Magruder Hall
10:30 a.m.

Renaming Ceremony of McKinney Center
to the Col. and Mrs. Robert L. McKinney Center
11 a.m.
North side of the McKinney Center

Come join the Dean of the Residential College Program for a discussion of images of gender in Truman Homecoming Posters at
7 p.m.
Oct. 10
SUB Activities Room

David Garth, associate professor of mathematics, and Kensey Riley, a junior mathematics major from St. Joseph, Mo., presented the results of their work for the summer research component of the Next Step Program at the UMKC Expository Talks in Mathematics series. The title of their talk was “Tilings, Infinite Words, and Long Range Order.”

Christopher Lantz, associate professor of exercise science and director of health and exercise sciences, and Carolyn Cox, associate professor of health, have been selected as recipients of the Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor Award for the year 2005.

Sara E. Orel, associate professor of art, has been invited to present on Islamic architecture at the California Institute of the Arts. Her paper, “Constructing Religious Space: Variation in South Asian Mosques” will be presented at “Islam and Arts in Asia: A workshop for College teachers” sponsored by the Asian Studies Development Program and the California Institute of the Arts. She has also been invited to revise the chapter on “Art of Pacific Cultures” for the third edition of Marilyn Stokstad’s “Art History,” the art history survey textbook. In press is the article “Titanica Aegyptiaca,” an examination of scholarly and pop-culture connections between Egyptology and the Titanic, which will be published in the next volume of The Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities.

C. Jason White, Wynona Murphy and Shannon Muedeking, academic advisers in the Residential College Program, presented “Harmonizing the First-Year Experience: Advising Initiatives to Increase Student Support” at the Missouri Academic Advising Association (MACADA) conference on Sept. 16. Their presentation also received the “Best of Conference” Award.

Michael Van Bebber, graduate music composition and trumpet performance major, has been invited to conduct an original composition at a college band performance. Van Bebber was one of three composers selected from an international call for scores by the Virginia chapter of the College Band Directors National Association. His composition “March from Sonata No. 1” will be performed at the 31st Virginia CBDNA Symposium on Feb. 12, 2006, by the Virginia All-Collegiate Band, with the composer conducting. In addition to conducting his piece, Van Bebber will participate in a composers’ panel discussion in which he will discuss his musical work.

Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring Habitat on the Quadrangle until Sept. 30. Participants are living in a cardboard house all week, just as thousands of homeless people do everyday. Activities for everyone will take place throughout the week. The organization is accepting donations. Contact Kelsey Aurand at 785.4723 for additional information.

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.

An informational meeting for Estudiantes de Enfermera will take place at 7 p.m., Sept. 27, in Barnett Hall 210. This meeting is for nursing or non-nursing students who are interested in learning Spanish for a health care setting. Contact Jamie Weninger at 785.5533 or jlw820@truman.edu for additional information.

Echo yearbook individual and group pictures will be taken from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m., Sept. 27-29, in the SUB Activities Room. Call 785.4450 for more information. There is no cost for individual photos. Organizations may have photos taken for $25.

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.

Informational meetings for Study Abroad in Greece for summer 2006 will take place at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 28, in the SUB Alumni Room. There will also be a meeting at 6 p.m., Oct. 4, in the SUB Spanish Room. For more information on this class planned for June 7-21, contact M. Lynn Rose at lynnrose@truman.edu or at 785.4057 or Steven Reschly at sdr@truman.edu or 785.4648.

The Hurricane Katrina Charity Poker Tournament will continue from 7-10 p.m., Sept. 28, in the SUB Georgian Room. A $2 donation is requested at each event. Other scheduled tournament dates are Oct. 5 and Oct. 12. Weekly and final table prizes will be awarded. Sponsors for this tournament include the SUB, Phi Lambda Phi and SAB. For more information, e-mail bbarks@gmail.com.

The Truman Forensics Union public debate series will continue at 8 p.m., Sept. 28, in the Baldwin Hall Little Theatre. The topic will be “The U.S. Should Pay its Bill in Full.” The format will be in the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) style. Students, faculty, staff and members of the Kirksville community are encouraged to attend.
 
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.

The Biology Seminar Series continues with “Human Evolution over the Last 2 Million Years: Genes, Fossils and Archaeology” from 12:30-1:20 p.m., Sept. 30, in Magruder Hall 2050. Alan Templeton, professor of biology and biomedical sciences at Washington University, will deliver the presentation.

The Tech Break will feature IT Services staff as they provide a question and answer series titled “Dear ITS, How do I...?” from 2:30-3:30 p.m., Sept. 30, in the SUB Conference Room.

New Faculty Dinner Series presents a Campus Fair from 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 30, in the SUB Governors Room. Faculty may enjoy hors d’oeuvres as they browse information from campus offices. Representatives from many offices will be in attendance R.S.V.P. to ctl@truman.edu.

The Tau Lambda Sigma Dessert and Date Auction will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sept. 30, in the SUB Down Under. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and TLS Local Service Sorority. For more information, contact Kristen Overson at kao933@truman.edu.

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 Show Your Support Campaign hopes to attract attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Week, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Oct. 3, on the Quadrangle. Alpha Sigma Gamma will be raising awareness for breast cancer. All funds donated will go to breast cancer research. For more information, contact Kelsey Underwood at 665.1024 or klu021@truman.edu.

The Truman Forensics Union will host a debate with a British team in the public debate series at 8 p.m., Oct. 3, in the SUB Activities Room. The topic will be “The U.S. Soldiers Should Agree to Wear the ‘Blue’ Helmet.” The format will be in the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) style. Students, faculty, staff and members of the Kirksville community are encouraged to attend.

The Phi Kappa Phi Fall Luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 4, in the SUB Spanish Room. There will be a free pizza lunch. Please R.S.V.P. to Debbie Nothdurft at 785.7115.

The division of Fine Arts presents “Fortinbras” at 8 p.m., Oct. 4-8, in the Ophelia Parrish Courtyard Theatre. Tickets cost $2 each. Call 785.4575 for any questions or to reserve tickets.

University Counseling Services will be offering free, confidential screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Oct. 5, in the SUB. At the screening, students can fill out a questionnaire and talk with a counselor about their personal situation. Contact Diane Pletcher or Joe Hamilton at 785.4014 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., Oct. 5, in the SUB Spanish Room. Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 785.4477 for more information.

The Funds Allotment Council is currently seeking 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.

A Wind Symphony Concert will take place at 8 p.m., Oct. 5, in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. For more information contact Dan Peterson at 785.7397.

The Child Development Center 2005-2006 Seminar Series will feature “Being Proactive About the Prevention of Lead Poisoning in Young Children” from 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 6, in the SUB Governors Room. This segment will be presented by Dr. Arthur Freeland.

The Global Issues Colloquium will continue from 7-9 p.m., Oct. 6, in Violette Hall 1000. Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 785.4391 for more information.

An “Acknowledgment and Remembrance Ceremony” for Hurricane Katrina will begin at 7 p.m., Oct. 10, at the Flame to the Second Century. Refreshments will be served in the SUB Down Under immediately following the lighting of the flame. For more information, contact Erin at esm134@truman.edu.

Students will be able to talk to faculty at the Majors and Minors Fair from 1-5 p.m., Oct. 12, in the SUB Activities Room. This event is co-sponsored by RCP and the Career Center.

The Career Expo will take place from 1-5 p.m., Oct. 26, in the SUB. More than 90 employers will be on hand to discuss their organization, career and internship opportunities. Begin planning now by looking at the Career Center’s Web site, http://career.truman.edu.