Vol. 10 No. 16 - January 17, 2006

The Multicultural Affairs Center, SERVE Center, Sodexho and the Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Commission will be sponsoring several activities to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Truman will host the sixth annual Unity Luncheon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. at noon, Jan. 18, in the Student Union Building Georgian Room on the Truman campus.

The centerpiece of the luncheon will be a Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. presentation by Gladys Coggswell. She is a nationally recognized storyteller. She received the 2005 Missouri Arts Award in the category of individual artist. The buffet lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m.

The luncheon costs $7.50 per person for general admission. Truman students who have a meal plan may attend for $4 and one meal block. R.S.V.P. by 5 p.m. Jan. 17 to the Truman State University Public Relations Office at 785.4016. The Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Commission, Multicultural Affairs Center at Truman and Sodexho are providing financial assistance for the luncheon.

In addition to the luncheon, there will be a citywide unity festival from 3-7 p.m., Jan. 16, in the Kirksville Arts Center located at 117 S. Franklin St.

The festival will include several activities. Unity through Art will take place from 3-5 p.m. This is an exhibition of Kirksville children's artwork and reading stations for ages 3-12. Throughout the day Truman State University students will enact historical scenes and memorable civil rights speeches and international students will share music, dance and magic.

The events continue with Unity through Knowledge from 3-7 p.m. There will be a slide show and videos honoring Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.

People will be able to express themselves with testimonials, music and movement from 5-6 p.m. during the Unity through Community event. Unity through Food and Fellowship will follow from 6-7 p.m. with potluck and jazz.

The Unity Festival events are sponsored by: Diversity Institute, Kirksville MLK Committee, Kirksville Arts Association, Statewide MLK Commission, Connect for Respect, Kirksville Public Schools, Multicultural Affairs Center at Truman State University, Kirksville High School Chapter of Amnesty International.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium begins at 3:30 p.m., Jan. 20, in the SUB Activities Room.

Truman student and community volunteers will read to children at the Read-In events Jan. 19 and Jan. 20. Those interested in volunteering may contact Amy Currier at 785.4222.

Gail B. Crump of Warrensburg, Mo., a native of Kirksville, has made the second $100,000 plus commitment to an initiative to name the main performance facility in Ophelia Parrish after emeritus professor James G. Severns.

Crump’s gift includes a cash pledge of $30,000 and a planned gift, through the Joseph Baldwin Society, valued at $115,000.

A campaign to generate at least $300,000 for naming rights to the theatre, constructed in 2000, is being organized as lead gifts are received. Steve Rose, a 1969 graduate, recently made a $100,000 gift to the project.

Crump graduated from Truman in 1964 with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees. He received his Master of Arts degree in 1965 and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1970 from the University of Arkansas. He is currently professor of English at Central Missouri State University.

As a student Crump, along with his late twin brother, Gary A. Crump (also a ’64 Truman graduate) participated in theatre performances in virtually every capacity. Gail also directed two all-school productions under the supervision of Severns.

Truman State University professors Dale Blesz, Pete Kelly, and Sam Minner were recently awarded an $800,000 personnel preparation grant from the United States Department of Education. The funds will be used to prepare 60 high quality and fully certified special educators to serve mildly disabled students in the state of Missouri. All of the students prepared in the “PRAXIS Program” will be specifically prepared to provide services in integrated settings. While the program will continue to recruit students from within the Truman State University student body, it has also established specific goals to recruit graduates from other institutions, including those from underrepresented groups.

A hallmark of the program is the professional development school model, in which Truman faculty partner with Kirksville R-III teachers in providing on-site teacher preparation, collaborative professional development, and action research opportunities for teaching interns, university faculty, and mentor teachers. Upon graduation, each PRAXIS student will be fully certified to instruct children and adolescents with learning disabilities, mild mental retardation, and behavior disorders in grades K-12.
 
The grant will fully fund tuition, books, and related expenses for as many as 15 students for each of the next four years.

Significant progress has been achieved in the institutional planning and preparation phase of Truman’s inaugural comprehensive campaign, according to Mark Gambaiana, vice president for University advancement.

Focus group meetings were held with 11 divisions and departments on campus last semester. Purpose of the meetings was to introduce the campaign planning process and gather input from the University community regarding potential funding priorities. A second series of small group meetings are scheduled this semester in Truman’s key constituent markets, seeking feedback from alumni and friends.

These findings will be linked with Truman’s strategic planning efforts, and funding priorities that fulfill University objectives and are well matched with donor interest will emerge from the process.

By next fall, the campaign’s priorities, goals and duration should be established. At that point, the “quiet phase” begins, where volunteer leaders are recruited and assembled, and leadership gifts are secured. The public phase of the campaign typically begins when at least 50 percent of the goal has been committed in advance.

New developments will be shared in future editions of the Truman Today as campaign planning unfolds during 2006.

Students interested in a part-time job this semester are encouraged to apply to work with the Tel Alumni campaign. Tel Alumni is hiring between 10-20 students to work for 12 weeks.

No experience is necessary, but they are looking for students who have good communication skills, an outgoing personality, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to ask parents and alumni for financial support.

Students must be available to work at least two of the following shifts each week: Sunday, 4-7 p.m.; Monday, 6-9 p.m.; Tuesday, 6-9 p.m.; Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.; or Thursday, 6-9 p.m.

Tel Alumni offers nightly prizes including items such as gift certificates, clothing and food; a relaxed, fun environment; paid training; a flexible schedule and an hourly wage of $5.30. Scholarship and work study positions are also available. Tel Alumni is an excellent résumé builder for students majoring in fields such as business and/or communication.

For more information, go to http://truman.erecruiting.com or pick up an application in the Advancement Office, McClain Hall 100. The application deadline is Jan. 27. Contact Brad Neathery, at 785.7432 or neathery@truman.edu for more information.

The February 2006 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine lists Truman State University as 23rd on its exclusive survey list of 100 best values in public colleges that are academically strong as well as affordable. The magazine also ranks Truman as the eighth best educational value for out-of-state students.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance based its rankings on several measures of academic quality, such as ACT or SAT test scores, admission rates, freshman retention rates, student-faculty ratios, four- and six-year graduation rates. They also ranked each school based on cost and financial aid factors. In addition to doing their own reporting, Kiplinger’s used data provided by more than 500 public, four-year colleges and universities to Peterson’s, a division of the Thomson Corporation.

Steven E. Chappell, assistant professor of communication, was named College Media Advisers Distinguished Newspaper Adviser for 2005 at the national organization’s annual convention in Kansas City Oct. 28, 2005.

The award is presented annually to a college newspaper adviser for excellence in advising college student media. Finalists are nominated by students and peers. The nominations must include letters of reference from current and former students, the adviser’s supervisor, and at least one peer adviser. He also received the organization’s Board of Director’s Citation for outstanding service to CMA.

Chappell served as adviser to the Index and Detours from January 2002 until May 2005. While adviser of the Index, the newspaper won two Best in Show awards at the College Media Advisers National Spring College Media Convention, was a three-time finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press’ Pacemaker Award, and won more than 250 awards at the Missouri College Media Association conventions, including two college student journalist of the year awards and one photojournalist of the year award.

Chappell serves as technology director for College Media Advisers and has been a member of the organization since 1992.

The following faculty members were awarded sabbatical leaves for the 2006-2007 academic year: Michael Adams, associate professor of mathematics; Michael Ashcraft, professor of philosophy and religion; Monica Barron, professor of English; Marc Becker, associate professor of history; Stephanie Fore, associate professor of biology; David Gillette, professor of economics; Masahiro Hara, associate professor of Japanese; Wolfgang Hoeschele, associate professor of geography; Marc Rice, associate professor of music; Bridget Thomas, associate professor of classics; Eduardo Velasco, associate professor of physics; and Torbjörn Wandel, associate professor of history.

The Financial Aid Office has received information regarding the Google Anita Borg Scholarship. Anite Borg devoted her life to revolutionizing the way we think about technology and dismantling the barriers that keep women and minorities from entering the computing and technology fields.

As part of Google's ongoing commitment to further her vision, they have announced the 2006 Google Anite Borg Scholarship. A group of female undergraduate and graduate students will each receive a $10,000 scholarship for the 2006-2007 academic year.

Candidates must be entering their senior year of undergraduate study or be enrolled in a graduate program in 2006-2007 at a university in the United States; must be a computer science, computer engineering or related technilogical field major; or enrolled in full-time study in 2006-2007; and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

For more information on how to apply, visit their Web site at http://www.google.com/anitaborg. The deadline is Jan. 20.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is offering the John L. Carey Scholarship.

Liberal arts students wishing to pursue graduate accounting study can receive financial aid through the AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available to all liberal arts degree holders of any regionally-accredited U.S. institution who wish to pursue a CPA certificate. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership and future career interests and are contingent upon acceptance in a graduate accounting program.

Seven $5,000 scholarships are available. Applications may be obtained from Jeff Romine in Violette Hall 2448. Application deadline is April 1.

Truman State University will be welcoming candidates for the position of Dean of Business and Accountancy beginning on Jan. 17. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend an open forum for each candidate. Open forum information and candidate materials are available at http://vpaa.truman.edu/communications/candidate/index.stm (please note that this site is restricted to Truman IPs only).

Charles Kroncke
1:30 p.m. • Jan. 18 • VH 1000

Diana Lawson
10:30 a.m. • Jan. 19 • VH 1000

Renee Wachter
1:30 p.m. • Jan. 20 • VH 1000

Renee Florsheim
1:30 p.m. • Jan. 23 • VH 1000

Eileen Hogan
10:30 a.m. • Jan. 24 • VH 1000

The first floor of Ophelia Parrish (east wing, lobby and west wing) is closed to traffic until about Feb. 21 while the slate floor is being replaced.

Signs are posted to direct visitors around the building.

Spring Semester Hours

Pickler Memorial Library

7:30 a.m.-1 a.m.
Mondays-Thursdays

7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fridays

noon-9 p.m.
Saturdays

noon-1 a.m.
Sundays

Student Recreation Center

6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Mondays-Thursdays

6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fridays

10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturdays

11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sundays

This year marks the anniversaries of two important dates in the University’s history:

Twenty years ago, the change in the University’s mission from a regional university to a statewide public liberal arts and sciences university became effective Jan. 1, 1986.

Ten years ago, the change in the University’s name from Northeast Missouri State University to Truman State University became effective July 1, 1996.

Free add/drop for full-term and first block courses ends at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 23. Students may add and drop courses via TruView, or make changes in person in the Registrar’s Office between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. A $50 add/drop fee will be assessed for any schedule change made after the free add/drop period ends, regardless of the reason for the schedule change.

Students living off-campus should update their local mailing address with the University via TruView. Address changes can also be made in the Registrar’s Office, McClain Hall 104. Students are responsible for all information sent to their local mailing address from University offices and personnel conducting University business.

Graduation applications for undergraduates who want to graduate in August 2006 are due in the Registrar's Office by Jan. 27. Graduation applications for undergraduates who want to graduate in December 2006 are due in the Registrar’s Office by March 10. Applications and degree worksheets are available at http://registrar.truman.edu. 

May 2006 Undergraduate Degree Candidates-If you have made any changes in your course schedule(s) since you submitted your graduation application and have not yet updated your application with the Registrar’s Office, you need to do so immediately. Updates can be made in the Registrar’s Office, McClain Hall 104, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. You do not need to complete a new application. To remain on the graduation list, all changes to your degree plan and all required substitutions must be on file in the Registrar’s Office no later than Jan. 30.

Taner Edis, associate professor of physics, has just had his new book, “Science and Nonbelief,” published by Greenwood Press. More information is available at http://www2.truman.edu/~edis/books/scinb/.

John Ishiyama, professor of political science, had his article “Globalization, Political Institutions and Ethnic Assertiveness: An Empirical Study of Thirty-two Developing Countries” accepted for publication in the journal Ethnopolitics.

Huping Ling, professor of history, has received book contracts for two books she is editing from the Rutgers University Press and Hawaii University Press respectively: “Emerging Voices: The Experiences of the Underrepresented Asian Americans” (Rutgers University Press, 2007), and “Negotiating Space: The New Asian American Communities” (University of Hawaii Press, 2007).

John J. Quinn, associate professor of political science, had a book review published in the September 2005 issue of the journal African Studies Review. It is a review of the book, “Multi-party Elections in Africa,” by Cowen and Laakso eds. (Palgrave Macmillian, 2002).

Students who are interested in securing off-campus housing for next academic year may find helpful information at http://saffairs.truman.edu/rentals/index.htm. Students may also pick up a Rental Housing Guide from the Student Senate Office, lower level of the Student Union Building.

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) has updated the posting policies for on-campus posting. These policies are available at the CSI, lower level of the Student Union Building.
 
2005 Homecoming apparel is on sale: short or long sleeve T-shirts are $5, crew neck sweatshirts are $10 and hooded sweatshirts are $15. Homecoming apparel is available in the Center for Student Involvement. Call 785.4222 for additional information.
 
Truman State University and the SERVE Center invite the Truman community to attend the “Celebrate Kirksville” event from 7-10 p.m., Jan. 21, at the Shephard Street property known as the “shoe factory.” This celebration is planned to thank the citizens of Kirksville for making the new addition to Highway 63 between Kirksville and Macon a reality. For more information, call the Public Relations Office at 785.4016.

The University Art Gallery presents the national juried competition of contemporary art from Jan. 23 until Feb. 24. The show opens with a public reception at 6 p.m., Jan. 23, in the University Art Gallery. Contact Aaron Fine at 785.5386 for more information.

Applications for Student Adviser positions in the residence halls are due by 5 p.m., Jan. 23, in Baldwin Hall 110. Applicants will be asked to sign up for an interview time on either Feb. 4 or Feb. 6. Contact Residence Life at 785.4227 for more information.

Truman’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team will be having informational meetings open to students from all majors at any levels. The meetings will be at 6 p.m., Jan. 24-26, in Violette Hall 1416. Contact Allison Atchley at ala230@truman.edu for more information.

The Center for Teaching and Learning Weekly Lunch Series begins the semester with  “Faces of Truman: Steve Pennington - What Can Center for Faculty Networking Do for You?” from 12:30-1:30 p.m., Jan. 25, in the Student Union Building Spanish Room. Call 785.4391 for more information.

The Women’s and Gender Studies Committee invites Gender and Empire Papers from members of the Truman and Kirksville communities. Please send abstracts to Linda Seidel, Division of Language and Literature, Truman State University or lseidel@truman.edu. The abstract deadline is Jan. 31.

Applications are now being accepted for The Next STEP’s 2006 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. Applications can be found and completed online at http://step.truman.edu. Deadline for applications is Feb. 1. For more information or assistance, contact Jennifer Thompson at 785.7252 or step@truman.edu.

Phi Kappa Phi is accepting applications for the 2006-2007 Graduate Fellowship Competition. Eligible students must be an active member of Phi Kappa Phi and have applied to enroll as a full-time student in a post-baccalaureate program of study. Selection will be based on the applicant’s promise of success in graduate or professional study as evidenced by academic achievement, study leadership and service, letters of recommendation, acceptance in an approved graduate program, and a statement of goals. Nationwide, 60 Graduate Fellowships in the amount of $5,000 and 40 Awards of Excellence worth $2,000 will be awarded. Applications are due to the Truman chapter, care of Mike Ashcraft, Social Science Division, by Feb. 1. Application materials are available online at http://www.phikappaphi.org. Contact Wynne Wilbur at 785.4435 or wwilbur@truman.edu for more information.

Phi Kappa Phi is accepting applications for the 2006-2007 Study Abroad Grant competition. All Truman students are eligible to apply and should have a minimum of 56 credit hours and no more than 90 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Winners will receive $1,000 for study abroad between May 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007. Deadline for applications (submitted to the Society Headquarters) is Feb. 15. Application materials may be obtained online at http://www.phikappaphi.org. For more information, contact Wynne Wilbur at 785.4435 or wwilbur@truman.edu.