Vol. 11 No. 22 - Feb. 20, 2007

Truman State University was one of 15 colleges and universities in the nation to win a 2007 Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program (USRP) Award, sponsored by the Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Each award provides up to $60,000, paid over three years, for joint use by the biology and chemistry departments at each recipient institution. Cynthia Cooper, professor of biology, and  Barbara Kramer, assistant professor of chemistry, with assistance from Judy Lundberg, director of grants and sponsored programs, submitted a proposal wherein the biology and chemistry departments work together on a project that offers service learning and community research for students and faculty.

The two departments have developed collection, testing and analytical protocols to integrate water quality projects into the undergraduate research programs and several undergraduate chemistry and biology courses.

The Truman Science Division has worked with the newly formed Kirksville Watershed Management Commission (KWMC) to monitor the quality of two local water reservoirs that provide water to the city of Kirksville. The project has a significant civic engagement component in that city officials and Truman faculty meet to identify and assess local environmental issues that impact the water sources used to prepare public drinking water for the region.

The University’s involvement will now be funded, in part, through this award from Merck and AAAS.

The Merck/AAAS USRP is a competitive program available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Up to 15 awards are made annually. Launched in 2000 as a national competition, the 10-year, $9 million initiative is funded by MISE and administered by AAAS. The program is open to qualified institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico that offer an American Chemical Society-approved program in chemistry and confer 10 or fewer graduate degrees annually in biology and chemistry combined.

The Career Expo will take place from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Student Union Building.

Employers from the region will be on campus to meet with students and discuss job opportunities.

Those wanting to attend should pre-register at the Career Center’s Web site, http://career.truman.edu.

To help students prepare for Expo, the Career Center is offering “How to Work a Career Fair,” from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Career Center. Katie Warchol from Edward Jones will provide tips on how best to present yourself when meeting potential employers.

There will also be a Career Expo reception at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Career Center. Students, faculty, staff and employers can mingle and get a bite to eat.

At the reception there will also be a drawing for gifts provided by employers attending Expo.

Some employers will be having preview sessions Feb. 21, from either 6:30-7:15 p.m. or 7:15-8:30 p.m. For those interested in a company, it is very important that they attend these preview sessions if the company offers one. Time and location information about these sessions will be posted on a sign located on the company’s table the day of Expo.

Companies will have interviews in the Student Union Building throughout the day Feb. 22.

The Career Center will be closed for Expo and interviews Feb. 21 and 22. On these days students may stop by the Student Union Building to ask the Career Center staff any questions.

Before Expo, call the Career Center at 785.4353 for more information.

The Faculty and Staff Campaign has kicked off at Truman. All faculty and staff will receive information about supporting the Truman State University Foundation through the 2007 Faculty and Staff Campaign. Von Abbott, assistant director of public safety, and Stephanie Powelson, nursing program director and associate professor of nursing, are the campaign co-chairs.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Changing Lives.” The University annually asks alumni, trustees, community businesses, parents and faculty and staff to invest in Truman. This campaign includes goals to raise $110,000 and reach a faculty and staff participation rate of 68 percent. The gifts support scholarships, study abroad opportunities, faculty development and research, departmental needs, cultural programs, the library, athletic programs and more.

The campaign push will continue through March 16. However, all gifts from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, will be counted toward the campaign.

There will be a drawing in mid-March to give away prize packages, including the personal parking spot for a year, Cardinals tickets and more. Log on to http://isupport.truman.edu to find out how to enter a chance to win one of these prizes. Also check the Web site for campaign updates.

All are welcome to attend the University Observatory’s free open house from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 22 at the University Farm.

Open houses are held on the first Thursday after the new moon. Future open houses are scheduled from 8:30-10:30 p.m. March 22 and April 19.

The Stargazers Astronomy Club, made up of Truman students, has revamped the open house program this semester.

If the weather is clear, there will be two telescopes running, one inside the dome and one outside. There will be students available outside as well to help find and explain the constellations that can be seen by the naked eye.

In addition, observatory open houses will no longer be cancelled on account of cloudy skies or other visibility problems. Instead, visitors can stay and listen to presentations on astronomy and other related topics in the farm classroom.

The club will also be selling hot cocoa and cookies at the events.

The University Farm is located approximately a mile and half from campus on Boundary Street. For those who do not want to give up a coveted  parking space or do not have transportation, free shuttles will run from Magruder Hall out to the farm every half hour starting at 6:50 p.m. on the night of the open houses.

Visit http://observatory.truman.edu for directions and more information about the open houses.

Groups are welcome to attend the open houses as well. Groups interested in scheduling a private open house or special event at the observatory should contact Matthew Beaky at 785.4594 for more information.

The Truman wrestling program was the recipient of a $10,000 gift by Antonia Fabricators, Inc., located in Imperial, Mo., and owned by Norman and Doris Vogt.

Antonia Fabricators, Inc. specializes in the complete fabrication of carbon steel and alloy metal.

“We are very appreciative of the significant investment the Vogt family is making to the Truman wrestling program,” said Jerry Wollmering, director of athletics. “We believe this to be the largest single donation in the history of the wrestling program.”

“The impact of this gift will be immediately felt and help change the face of Truman State University wrestling for many years,” Truman wrestling coach David Schutter said.

Schutter recognizes and thanks the Vogt family for the contribution they have made. “Hopefully, more alumni parents and wrestling fans of Truman State University will join in helping the ‘TAKEDOWN CLUB’ build the Bulldog Wrestling Program into a National Championship Program,” he said.

The Bulldog wrestling team will next be in action at the NCAA Midwest Regional Feb. 24 in Ashland, Ohio. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to the NCAA Championships March 9-10 in Kearney, Neb.

The Bulldogs have had at least one student-athlete qualify for nationals every year since 1993, including the 2004 141-pound National Champion, Merrick Meyer.

Contact Wollmering at 785.4235 for information about making a contribution to Truman athletics.

Carol V. Davis of Los Angeles is the winner of the 2007 T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry sponsored by the Truman State University Press.

Established in 1996, the Press awards the T. S.  Eliot Prize to a book-length collection of poetry in honor of the Missouri native T.S. Eliot’s intellectual and artistic legacy.

This year, Davis’s winning poetry collection, “Into the Arms of Pushkin,” was selected from more than 500 manuscripts. She will receive $2,000 and publication of her book, expected out by fall 2007.

Davis is already the author of two chapbooks, “The Violin Teacher” and “Letters from Prague,” and a bilingual collection, “It’s Time to Talk About...,” which is published in Russia. She teaches English and creative writing at Santa Monica College.

Four finalists were also named. They are William Notter of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Lynn Chandhok of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Bill Wunder of Feasterville, Penn.; and Jacqueline Berger of San Francisco.

Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG) of Truman State University is sponsoring SAFEBRAKE, a highway safety awareness campaign promoting safe driving, particularly during midterm break.

SAFEBRAKE will take place Feb. 26-28 and include a number of different events.

From 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 27 outside the campus Physical Plant Sgt. Brent Bernhardt from the Missouri Highway Patrol will be running a “roll-over car simulation.” This presentation will demonstrate what happens in a real accident when the driver and passengers have chosen not to wear seat belts.

There will also be a flower memorial Feb. 27 near the Flame to the Second Century, which will be lit from 4-8 p.m. The public is invited to leave flowers to commemorate those who have been lost in car accidents.

Penny Lorenz, a motivational speaker and assistant director of THINK FIRST Missouri, will speak at 5 p.m. Feb. 27 in Magruder Hall 2001.
She will speak about her own personal experience with an automobile accident at the age of 17 and why safe driving practices are so important.

In addition, an informational table will be set up from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 26-28 in the Student Union Building.

Contact Emily Forsyth at emf801@truman.edu for more information.

Dereck Daschke, associate professor of philosophy and religion at Truman, will speak at the Northeastern Missouri Phi Beta Kappa Association (NEMO-PBK) lecture, “Il Salone dello Spazio.”

The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.

Daschke will speak on the topic of “The Apocalyptic Cure: Lessons from Ancient Judaism on Surviving the End of the World.” An informal discussion will follow at Il Spazio.

In addition, The Northeastern Missouri Phi Beta Kappa Association Annual Spring Lecture will be at 3 p.m. April 15 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Jack Magruder, president emeritus and professor emeritus of chemistry, will present “History, Science, Politics: Hope for the Future.”

The Teaching and Technology Roundtable (TLTR) announced the winners of the TruTech Challenge at Truman’s Fifth Annual Technology Fair Feb. 7.

Grand prize winners, taking home all-in-one printers donated by Dell, included Oleksiy Golovin, a junior physics and computer science double major from Kent, Ohio, and the faculty-student research group consisting of Diane Johnson, associate professor of communication; Alexander Horn, a senior computer science major from St. Louis; Justin Seiwell, a junior communication major from Ballwin, Mo.; and Gergana Stoianova, a sophomore communication studies major from Bulgaria.

The TruTech Challenge is a juried competition showcasing effective educational use of technology by faculty, staff and students.

Golovin’s submission was a software application he developed for the operation and collection of data from an astronomical photometer. The faculty-student group submitted their development and use of an open-source online learning repository for a study unit on the space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

All 18 participants in the competition were awarded gift certificates and iPod accessories donated by Sodexho and the Truman Bookstore.

The projects can be seen by visiting http://moodle.truman.edu/moodle/course/view.php?id=44 and clicking the “Login as a guest” button.

7:30 p.m. • Feb. 20
Baldwin Auditorium

A limited number of tickets for the performance are free to all students, faculty and staff. Tickets for faculty and staff are available in the Center for Student Involvement, and students may pick their tickets up in the Student Activities Board office.

The University requests that all patrons be seated five minutes prior to the performance. The University reserves the right to fill all seats, reserved and general admission, five minutes before the time of performance stated on the ticket.

“The Language We Cry In”

6 p.m. • Feb. 22
Baldwin Hall 251

This film follows a woman who traces her roots back to a village in Africa. Sylvia Macauley will lead a discussion after the film.

Sights and Sounds of Africa

4 p.m. • Feb. 25 • SUB Lounge

Celebrate African culture through food, dance, fashion and more. This event is sponsored by the African Student Association, the Residential College Program and Multicultural Affairs.

Contact Laura Bates of the Multicultural Affairs Center at lbates@truman.edu or 785.4142 for more information.

Faculty, staff and students will not have access to Banner beginning at 5 p.m. Feb. 23-26.

An upgrade to the Banner system is scheduled and both administrative and self-service users will be unable to log on during this time. Upgrades to the Banner system are part of the maintenance agreement and services the University has contracted with Sungard Higher Education to provide.  Upgrades generally provide enhanced services and address the ever-changing needs of the more than 1,500 institutions that have a business relationship with Sungard Higher Education.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply soon to be considered for all available federal and state funds. Visit the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103 or call 785.4130 for more information.

“Shake Your TABOOty: A Conference of Critical and Creative Texts”

April 4-5

The Graduate English Organization (GEO) is currently seeking proposals for the presentation of papers, commentary, criticism, studies, articles and readings of creative works covering the topic of “Taboo” for the conference.

The deadline is March 9. Submit one to two paragraph abstracts to mmayhan@truman.edu with “Shake Your TABOOty” in the subject line. Visit http://gradeng.truman.edu for more information.

Truman accounting students are offering free tax help to those with low to moderate incomes and students who need it.

8 a.m.-3 p.m. • Feb. 24
Violette Hall

Both the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse must be present. Bring all tax forms and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return.

Contact Alan Davis at 785.5560 for technical questions or Patricia Garrett at 785.6019 for logistical questions.

Joey Sellers will perform

8 p.m. • Feb. 24
Baldwin Auditorium

The renowned jazz trombonist will play with the University Jazz Ensemble.

For ticket and other information, contact Josh Waymire at 515.490.6778.

Win $500 or a trip to Washington, D.C.

Discover new interests and insights into Abraham Lincoln as a person through art, essay or oration.

Projects are due
5 p.m. • March 13

Art work may be submitted in any medium to Rusty Nelson, associate professor of art. Contact Nelson at 785.7332 for criteria and more information.

Two to 10 page essays should be submitted to Chett Breed, professor of English. Contact Breed at 785.5981 for more information.

Six to eight minute speech manuscripts should be turned in to Barry Poyner, professor of communication. Contact Poyner at 785.4063 for more information.

Join RecycleMania 2007 by recycling paper, plastic, aluminum cans, cardboard and glass at Truman’s Recycling Center.

Truman is one of more than 200 schools participating in RecycleMania 2007.

Truman was ranked 29th after the first week of competition and moved up to 19th after the second week of competition.

This 10-week friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in the United States provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. This year’s competition continues until April 7.

8 p.m. • Feb. 20-23
2 p.m. • Feb. 24

Performances will take place in the James G. Severns Theatre in Ophelia Parrish.

Admission is free.
Reservations are recommended.
Call the Box Office at 660.785.4515.

Scott Alberts, associate professor of mathematics, and Jason Miller, associate professor of mathematics, traveled to Tuskegee University to participate in its workshop “Models for Interdisciplinary Research and Curriculum Development at the Undergraduate Level.” Miller delivered the keynote address, “Charting a Course Toward Interdisciplinary Collaborations,” in which he used examples from Truman’s The Next STEP program and its Mathematical Biology program to inspire faculty and students at Tuskegee University to pursue interdisciplinary opportunities in science, mathematics and the humanities. Alberts facilitated a workshop and Breakout Session on “Benefits and (potential) Challenges of Forming Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Teams.”

An original music composition by Warren Gooch, professor of music, will be performed April 7 at the University of Northern Iowa as part of the Iowa Composers Forum 2007 Spring Festival. The composition, titled “Prayer of David,” is for solo tuba.

Jerrold Hirsch, professor of history, authored “‘Cultural Strategy’: The Seegers and B. A. Botkin as Friends and Allies,” which was published in Ruth Crawford Seeger’s “Worlds: Innovation and Tradition in Twentieth Century American Music,” ed. Ray Allen and Ellie M. Hisama (Rochester: University of Rochester Press, 2007): 196-223. Hirsch also served as an outside peer reviewer for a book proposal being considered by the University of North Carolina Press and for an article being considered for publication by the Journal of American Folklore.

Applications are available in the Truman State University Financial Aid Office for the J. R. Popalisky Scholarship Fund of the Missouri Section of the American Water Works Association. This $1,000 scholarship opportunity is available to civil or environmental engineering science students who have an emphasis in career fields associated with water supply. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28.

First-year Activities Coordinating Team (FACT) applications are now available in the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), located on the lower level of the Student Union Building. The applications are due to the CSI by 5 p.m. March 2. 2007 FACT members will receive a small stipend or scholarship hours for the fall 2007 semester. Call the CSI at 785.4222 for more information.

Cap, gown and graduation announcements for May 2007 graduates can now be ordered through the Truman Bookstore until March 5. Log on to http://truman.bkstore.com for more information.

Fall 2007 Writing Consultant applications are now available from the Writing Center in McClain Hall 303. Call the Writing Center at 785.4484 for more information.

Macy’s Midwest will be on campus from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Student Union Building Activities Room presenting “Dress for Success.” There will be a discussion on what is considered business professional and business casual dress and when each is appropriate.

Learn Romanian in two remaining free mini-lessons with Mircea Negrea from 8-9:30 p.m. Feb. 20 and 22 in McClain Hall 305 and 306. People can attend one session or both sessions. Sponsored by the Division of Language and Literature Speaker’s Committee.

Faculty and staff are invited to an Assessment Colloquium from noon-1 p.m. Feb. 20 in the SUB Alumni Room. Contact Julie Lochbaum at ctl@truman.edu or 785.4391 for more information.

Bruce A. Wilking from the University of Missouri-St. Louis will speak on the topic of “Brown Dwarfs in Young Star Clusters.” He will speak at the Physics Colloquium at 4:30 p.m. Feb 21 in Magruder Hall 1098. This lecture will be presented at the intermediate level. Refreshments will be served at 4:20 p.m.

Interested in Student Senate’s Storm the Capitol event? There will be an informational meeting from 7-8 p.m. Feb. 21 in Violette Hall 1010. The meeting was originally scheduled for Feb. 7 but was canceled. Contact Michelle Landers at mrl950@truman.edu or 636.697.7169 for more information.

An Ethics Panel will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 22 in Violette Hall 1000 as part of Business Week. This panel be bringing members of the community to speak on ethics in their careers.

The 2007 Spring Workshop Series continues with “Careers in STEM: Bachelors and Masters Careers” from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 22 in Magruder Hall 1090. Maria Nagan will direct a panel of Truman alumni from the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who will answer questions and share insights. Tentative panelists include an industrial chemist, a field biologist, an acoustical engineer, a secondary math teacher and a research technician at a stem cell institute.

Cardinal Key is having an open rush event Feb. 22. Those with last names beginning A-M should arrive at 6:30 p.m., and those with last names beginning N-Z should arrive at 8 p.m. For more information contact Christen Lauer at ckl004@truman.edu or 314.629.5386 for more information.

Diet is a four-letter word. The Student Recreation Center staff will offer a health workshop from 7-7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the SRC Conference Room. This presentation will help people to better understand the truth about some of the current trends in dieting. They will discuss the dangers of fad diets and review tips to creating a healthy lifestyle which will enable you to avoid dieting. All Truman students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

A discussion on the topic of Women and Aging will commence after a screening of the film “Look Us in the Eye: The Old Women’s Project” from 8-10 p.m. Feb. 22 in Baldwin Hall 284. Counselor Jane Maxwell will facilitate the discussion. NEMO NOW, VOX and the Women’s Resource Center are sponsoring the event. Contact Monica Barron at 665.8767 or mbarron@truman.edu for more information.

John Eyres, author of “Showin’ Ya the Ropes,” will be having a book signing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Truman Bookstore. Eyres is a motivational speaker for young adults. His book is a young adult's resource guide to navigate life. Call the Truman Bookstore at 785.4211 for more information.

February is National Heart Month, and the Student Recreation Center is doing a brief presentation on Cardiovascular Disease Awareness for faculty and staff members from 1:30-2 p.m. Feb. 23 in the SRC Conference Room. The presentation will include information about prevention, risk factors, symptoms and strategies to cope with cardiovascular disease.

University Counseling Services (UCS) is sponsoring a Cancer Support Group for Students at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in Pershing Building 234. The support group is for those students struggling with cancer or those who have friends or family members with cancer. The group meets the fourth Monday of each month. Contact the UCS at 785.4014 or http://ucs.truman.edu for more information.

David Nichols, author of “Founding the Future: A History of Truman State University,” will be having a book signing from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Truman Bookstore. Nichols previously served as the director of the graduate music program at Truman until his retirement in 2001. He joined the music faculty at Truman in 1966. Throughout his career he has been an active writer. This book traces the University's path from 1867 to today's nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences institute. Call the Truman Bookstore at 785.4211 or visit bkstrumanst@bncollege.com to reserve a copy of the book.

An IDSM Folklore Colloquium, “Reading African-American Architecture,” will be presented from 6-7:45 p.m. Feb. 28 in McClain Hall 306. Brett Rogers, a history professor at William Woods College, will speak on this topic. He has been doing research on African-American schools, churches and Freedman communities since the early 1990s. This colloquium is one of four required for credit in the IDSM 300 course. Contact Betsy Delmonico at bdelmoni@truman.edu or 785.4492 for more information.

The kick off event for team-captains who are participating in the third annual Kirksville Heartwalk will be at 5 p.m. March 15 in the Student Recreation Center. Help with online registration and team packets will be given out. Go to http://www.heartwalk.kintera.org/kirksville for more information.