Vol. 11 No. 24 - March 13, 2007

Gus Solomons jr.

Gus Solomons jr., artistic director of the Solomons Company/Dance, will be visiting Truman as part of the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program March 15.

Phi Beta Kappa sponsors 12 or more distinguished scholars each year who visit 100 colleges and Universities with Phi Beta Kappa chapters. The scholars spend time on each campus, meeting informally with students and faculty members, taking part in classroom discussions, and giving a public lecture.

Solomons, who began dance training at the Boston Conservatory of Music while studying architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will give his public lecture, “50 Million Ways to Make a Dance,” at 7 p.m. March 15 in the Student Union Building Activities Room.

He will also be having a Choreography/Spatial Exploration workshop from 9-10:30 a.m. March 15 in the Student Recreation Center Aerobics Room. Everyone is welcome and no dance experience is required.

Solomons has performed with numerous dance companies before forming his own troupe in 1972. In 2005 he was appointed full arts professor in dance at the NYU/Tisch School of the Arts. He was honored in 2000 with a New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award for sustained achievement in choreography and has recently received the American Dance Festival’s Balasaraswati/Joy Ann Dewey Beinecke Endowed Chair for Distinguished Teaching.

Contact Patricia Burton at 785.7247 or Cole Woodcox at 785.4119 for more information.

The chair of Truman State University’s Board of Governors has made a $25,000 gift to benefit the Missouri Government Internship Program.

Randa Rawlins ’79, the general counsel for Shelter Insurance Company in Columbia, Mo., designated the gift for the Missouri Government Internship Program endowment. This fund was established last year and is designed to provide a permanent source of revenue to support and expand one of Truman’s most distinctive co-curricular programs.

A special reception, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the program, took place Jan. 30 in Jefferson City. The event was attended by nearly 200 people and included current and former legislators, current and former Truman internship participants, other government officials, and members of Truman’s Mid-Missouri Alumni Chapter. Marie Gladbach, ’72, Truman’s first Missouri government intern, attended the event.

The program offers juniors and seniors a unique opportunity for a semester internship with a legislator, public official or state agency in Jefferson City. The experience provides students with an inside view of state government, and has special appeal for students anticipating careers in business, law, public relations, government service or public affairs. The program originated in 1972, and since its inception, an estimated 500 students have participated.

The Missouri Government Internship endowment was created in 2006 with a $40,000 gift from Advantage Capital Partners of St. Louis, and two of the firm’s partners, Scott Zajac ’85 and Ryan Brennan ’95, both former participants.

Earnings from the endowment will be used to support stipends for students who participant in the program. Students receive course credit, but must make arrangements for housing and other living expenses during the semester. The Truman State University Foundation grants a $2,500 stipend for each participant from its unrestricted gift pool, and the endowment is designed to provide a perpetual resource for future stability and growth.

The Truman State University Kohlenberg Lyceum Series presents “Some Enchanted Evening” at 7:30 p.m. March 20 in Baldwin Auditorium.

Springer Theatricals will be celebrating the music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in a glitzy parade of hits spotlighting many of the legendary moments of some of the best loved musicals.

The show is set in an enchanted garden through which the players come and go in song and dance.

Tickets for the performance will be available beginning March 13. Tickets 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.

Contact the Public Relations Office at 785.4016 for more information.

The Truman State University Intramural Recreational Sports is hosting the Intramural Basketball Championships on March 14. It will take place in Pershing Arena with the first game starting at 6 p.m.

This tournament includes the finals for the Women’s AST, Men’s AST, Women’s Open, Men’s Open, and Co-Rec leagues.

There is no cost to attend the event and all are welcome to cheer on the teams.

For more information visit http://recreation.truman.edu.

Sally West, associate professor of history, will speak at the Truman Faculty Forum at 7 p.m. March 21 in Magruder Hall 2001.

The topic of her presentation is “Cigarettes and Cognac: Consumer Culture Under the Russian Tsars.”

The discussion will be based upon West’s upcoming book, “Advertising in Tsarist Russia: Creating Modern Consumer Culture Under the Old Regime.” Her research offers alternative perspectives on both the western emphasis of consumer culture studies and on Russian historians’ usual focus on revolutionary politics.

Her research demonstrates the flexibility of Russian culture, as it adapted to the modern influences of consumerism within the limits of the Tsarist society.

Thirty-seven students will be representing Truman at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR®). Dominican University of California will host the conference, April 12-14. Approximately 2,200 undergraduates from more than 250 colleges and universities will attend the three-day event.

The students representing Truman include: Ashley Adams, Erica Alexander, Steven Bermudez, Sarah Bloch, Michael Bono, Tiffany Caesar, Jessica Chenault, Ryan Conway, Jennifer Coolidge, Kim Dotson, Daniel DuBois, Melanie Dunn, Corey Elledge, John Fausz, James Franklin, Oleksiy Golovin, Adam Gouge, Arthur Gregg, Amanda Groebl, Kelly Haley, Laura Kopff, Erich Kuechler, Brianna Lennon, Ryan Lewis, James Lloyd, Andrew Maerz, Billy Miller III, Phuong Nguyen, Jason Novinger, Christopher Peterson, Violet Poole, Nirjal Sapkota, Leonard Stephens, Alexander Stoll, Daniel Tucker, Alana Walker and Heidi Willhauck.

The National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), established in 1987, is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of young scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all corners of the academic curriculum. Through this annual conference, NCUR creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement, provides models of exemplary research and scholarship, and helps to improve the state of undergraduate education.

This is the first year The Next STEP office is coordinating the delegation.

Google has partnered with the Hispanic College Fund on a scholarship program for computer science and computer engineering students for the 2007-2008 academic year. Candidates must be junior, senior or graduate students pursuing a computer engineering or computer science major. Visit http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications/subsectionID.1,pageID.123/default.asp for more information. Deadline for the application is March 15.

The Gilman International Scholarship program will award more than 800 scholarships of up to $5,000 to students participating in study abroad programs during fall 2007. Applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant, accepted into or applying for a study abroad program, studying abroad for at least four weeks in one country and participating in a study abroad program that begins between July 15 and Oct. 15, 2007. Those interested should apply online at http://www.iie.org//programs/gilman/index.html.

The Beta Zeta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International, composed of women educators of Nodaway, Holt and Atchison counties in Missouri, is offering a recruitment grant in the amount of approximately $120. Applicants must be females having graduated high school in either of the three counties, majoring in education and have a grade point average of 2.5 or above. Applicants must apply the spring before they student teach. Visit the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103 for more information. The deadline for this application is April 1.

Liberal arts students wishing to pursue graduate accounting study can receive financial aid through the AICPA John L. Carey Scholarships Program. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership and future career interests and are contingent upon acceptance in a graduate accounting program. Each year, up to seven recipients will be awarded $5,000 and be eligible for renewal for one more year. Visit the Web site at http://www.aicpa.org/members/div/career/edu/jlcs.htm for more information. The deadline for applications is April 1.

The Truman State University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Sam McClure, will present its annual Gold Medal concert at 8 p.m. March 17 in Baldwin Auditorium.

The winners of the Gold Medal Competition, the music department’s annual student soloist competition, will perform with the orchestra. This year’s winners are:  Joshua Baum, tenor; Eric Bowling, flute; Allen Carter, tuba; and Nabil Pettit, piano. Excerpts from Prokofiev’s "Romeo and Juliet Suite" will be the featured orchestral work on the program.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Truman faculty and representatives from programs in China, France, Germany, Australia, Quebec, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Philippines, England, Morocco and others are coming from around the world to meet with Truman students about studying abroad.

10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3 p.m.
March 13
SUB Activities Room

Contact the Center for International Education Abroad at ciea@truman.edu or 785.4076 for more information

Truman Opera Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s two act comedic opera.

8 p.m. • March 15 and 16
2 p.m. • March 17 and 18
Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall

The opera will be sung in English. It explores a plot centered on a magic love potion that causes the characters to fall in love with the wrong person.

Contact Jacqueline Collett at jcollett@truman.edu or at 785.4422 for more information.

Charles Frost, professor emeritus of justice systems, will speak on the topic of “Analysts, Politicians, Spies and the National Intelligence Estimates.”

7 p.m. • March 15
Magruder Hall 1000

The event is free. Call 785.4391 for more information.

Taner Edis, professor of physics, will be signing his newly released book, “Illusions of Harmony: Science and Religion in Islam.”

Call the Truman Bookstore at 785.4211 for more information.

Accounting students will provide free tax preparation to students and those with low to moderate income on a first come first serve basis.

8 a.m.-3 p.m.
March 17 and March 24
Violette Hall

The taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse must be present. Bring a photo ID, copies of all tax forms, Social Security card and banking information if direct deposit is desired.

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

Fox Lawson & Associates were awarded the consulting contract for the study.

James Fox will be on campus March 20 to provide information concerning the Staff Classification and Compensation Plan Study.

He will be meeting with staff 11 a.m.-noon and from 2-3 p.m.
March 20 • VH 1000

One of the sessions will be videotaped and made available to those who are unable to attend.

Contact Curt Devan at devanc@truman.edu 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 16. Submit a one to two paragraph abstract to mmayhan@truman.edu with “Shake Your TABOOty” in the subject line. Visit http://gradeng.truman.edu for more information.

The SAA will award two $200 scholarships to students who display leadership and the drive to become productive Truman alumni.

Due March 19

Applications are available online at http://saa.truman.edu or at the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 101.

Contact Becky Hadley at behad@truman.edu or Greg Xander at gregx@truman.edu for more information.

It’s Time to Celebrate
Truman’s Up ‘Til Dawn chapter
is having a Finale Event

7-11 p.m. • March 23 • SUB

Last semester more than 70 student teams participated in the inaugral Up ‘Til Dawn letter-writing campaign, a student-run fund-raiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. They raised more than $70,000 for the hospital, surpassing Truman’s goal by more than $40,000 and ranking Truman 7th out of 180 participating schools in the nation.

Jill, a 4-year-old patient of St. Jude’s in cancer remission, will be the guest speaker.

Contact Alyson Watkins at alyson.watkins@gmail.com for more information.

The Environmental Campus Organization presents the fourth annual Environmental Studies Conference 2007
Building Towards Sustainability

Start thinking about possible topics, presentations and creating art for the Environmental Studies Conference. Papers and presentations from all disciplines and backgrounds will be accepted.

Earth Week – April 16-21

Conference presentations
9 a.m.-5 p.m. • April 17
Followed by keynote speaker and dessert reception

E-mail a concise abstract to cassiephillips@care2.com to submit a proposal. Proposals will be accepted through April 1.

Conference submissions are open to students, faculty, staff and Kirksville community members.

Activity: Punt, Pass & Kick 
Division: AST/Open
Deadline: March 26   
Captains’ Meeting: 4:30 p.m. • March 29 
Play Begins: March 31

Activity: Outdoor Soccer 
Division: AST/Open   
Deadline:  March 26  
Captains’ Meeting: 4:30 p.m. • March 29 
Play Begins: April 2

Entry forms may be picked up at the Student Recreation Center (IM bulletin board) and are available online. Online registration is now available. 

Entry forms must have name, banner ID number and signature of each participant. Entry forms are to be deposited in the metal box located at the Member Services Desk in the Student Recreation Center by 11 p.m. of the posted due date. Official rules for each sport go to http://recreation.truman.edu.

Elizabeth Clark, associate professor of communication, and Mark Smith, assistant professor of communication, have co-authored a paper that has been selected among the best submissions nationwide in the annual Broadcast Education Association scholarly competition. The article, titled “Significant Treatment: An Assessment of Issues-Programs List Availability in Missouri Radio Station Public Inspection Files,” has been selected for presentation in the radio-audio division during the BEA Spring Convention in Las Vegas. Nearly 100 radio station public files were inspected by faculty and Truman students during individual visits to radio stations last year. In addition, the Missouri Broadcasters Association has requested a summary of the article to remind its membership of their federal obligations to file quarterly reports of public service programming. The paper has been submitted to the Journal of Radio Studies for possible publication.

Taner Edis, associate professor of physics, has had his book, “An Illusion of Harmony: Science and Religion in Islam,” published. It is now available at the Truman Bookstore. Visit http://www2.truman.edu/~edis/books/harmony/ for more information.

Christina Wirkus, a senior communication major from Kansas City, Mo., was recently named Playtex Sport’s Team Player of the Month. Wirkus will receive $2,500 for herself and another $2,500 to give to a non-profit charity of her choice. Wirkus is responsible for beginning Truman’s all women ultimate team and lead them all the way to regionals their first year.

Three Truman parliamentary debate teams reached the elimination rounds of the Mark Hatfield Debates at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., Feb. 23-24. Teams included Mark Buchheit, a freshman history major from Carthage, Mo., and Dylan Rothermel, a junior economics major from Homewood, Ill.; Sara Archer, a senior accounting major from Riverside, Mo., and Keith Schnakenberg, a senior communication and political science double major from Buffalo, Mo.; and Christopher Girouard, a sophomore communication and political science double major from Chesterfield, Mo., and Kevin Haynie, a sophomore political science major from Bridgeton, Mo.; in the “sweet sixteen” round of the tournament.

Members of the Truman chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma attended a Regional Conclave the weekend of Feb. 24 and received multiple awards. They took home the W.T. Hembree National Leadership Award, The Edward H. McCune Most Distinguished Chapter in the Nation Award, the Emmett Ellis Chapter Scholarship Award and the Robert Nagel Jones Charitable Projects Award.

The Writing Center would like to thank those students who participated in International Writing Centers Week Feb. 12-16. The Writing Center would also like to congratulate Priscilla Riggle, associate professor of English, who was named Writing Professor of the Year, and other nominees, Martha Bartter, professor of English; Robin Becker, instructor in English; Joe Benevento, professor of English; Adam Davis, professor of English; Ernst Hintz, associate professor of German; Royce Kallerud, associate professor of English; Linda Moore, lecturer in English; and Brent Orton, lecturer in English. They would also like to acknowledge Steve Pennington and the Truman Bookstore for donating a gift certificate to be awarded to the Writing Professor of the year.

The 2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online 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.

The SERVE Center is hiring for scholarship and work study positions for fall 2007. Applications are available in the Center for Student Involvement office. Completed applications are due to the CSI by 5 p.m. March 28.

Storm the Capitol sign-up will continue until March 22. Student Senate is sponsoring this event where Truman students go to Jefferson City, Mo., to meet their legislators and advocate for higher education. This event will take place from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. March 27. School buses will provide transportation and sack lunches will be provided. This event is free. Students may sign up online at http://senate.truman.edu by March 22.

Participate in the Princess Project, donate your formal wear and win an iPod. The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is collecting gently used formal dresses so that underprivileged girls can attend their senior prom. Collection will take place from 12:30-3:30 p.m. March 13-15 on the Student Union Building main floor. Each person who makes a donation will be able to enter a drawing to win a new iPod shuffle. Contact Amanda Hopkins at anh130@truman.edu for more information.

Have you ever been to China? Students interested in a semester abroad teaching English as a second language in the Peoples’ Republic of China can attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. March 13 in Violette Hall 2351. Contact Jan Grow at jgrow@truman.edu or Timothy Farley at tfarley@truman.edu for more information.

Sigma Alpha Iota will be pre-selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 14-16 and 19-20 in the Foyer of Ophelia Parrish and on the Quadrangle. Doughnuts will be pre-sold for $6 a box to raise money for the organization’s philanthropy projects. Contact Erin Lear at enl103@truman.edu or at 816.289.1706 for more information.

SRC Fitness/Wellness Program and HES HLTH 440 Students want to teach people about using the MyPyramid.gov Web site. They will be able to learn how to use the online MyPyramid Tracker and the MyPyramid Plan to help them choose the right foods and appropriate amounts just for them. After providing a day’s worth of dietary information, they will receive an overall evaluation by comparing the amount of food they ate to current nutritional guidelines. This tool can be used everyday to show them areas that are missing in their nutritional plan, where to cut back on calories, and positive things they are already doing correctly. A MyPyramid training session for faculty and staff only will be at 10 a.m. March 14 in McClain Hall 215. Additional training will take place at 2 p.m. March 16 and at 4 p.m. March 19 in Pickler Memorial Library 103.

Phi Sigma Pi is sponsoring Puppies on the Quadrangle from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 14 on the Quadrangle. People may rent a puppy. Cost is $5 for a half hour. Contact Emily Meyer at ejm761@truman.edu or at 847.687.6309 for more information.

The Weekly Lunch Series continues from 12:30-1:30 p.m. March 14 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. It will feature a discussion about differentiating between the professional ranks.

Steven Baldwin from the cardiology department at Washington University will speak at the Physics Colloquium at 4:30 p.m. March 14 in Magruder Hall 1098. He will speak about “Ultrasound as a Means of Enhancing Site-Targeted Drug Delivery.”

“Sex in the Dark” will give students the opportunity to ask anything they have always wanted to know about sex. The forum will take place at 7 p.m. March 14 in Violette Hall 1010. Hailey Hulse, community sex educator from Tri-Rivers Planned Parenthood; Brenda Higgins, director of the Student Health Center; and Jane Maxwell, from University Counseling Services; will answer questions. Paper and pen will available for those who would rather write their questions. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact Marie Weichold at trumanvox@gmail.com or 785.7178 for more information.

Phi Sigma Pi is sponsoring a field day from 1-3:30 p.m. March 15 on the Quadrangle. People will be able to play soccer, frisbee, kickball and participate in other activities. Contact Emily Meyer at ejm761@truman.edu or at 847.687.6309 for more information.

The Art of Living Club presents “Yogic Meditation: An Introduction to Sahaj Samadhi” from 7-9 p.m. March 15 in McClain Hall 208. This is an introduction to Sahaj Samadhi Meditation course, an authentic and traditional form of yogic meditation taught by the Art of Living Foundation and the Art of Living Club on campus. Anyone interested in finding out more about yogic meditation, its benefits and its nature are welcome to attend. The lecture is free. Those interested in registering for the course (March 17-19) must attend. The actual meditation course is taught by private appointment on March 17 with follow up group sessions March 18 from 7-10 p.m. Meditation is a means to bring the mind and body to a deep conscious state of rest, dissolving stress and strain, and rejuvenating life at all levels.

Truman and Amnesty International present Malalai Jova, the youngest-ever Afghan congresswoman, and Ségoléne Royal, Paris National Assembly Member and regional Government Leader, in celebration of Global Women’s History Celebration Month. Two news reel presentations will be presented at 8 p.m. March 15 in Baldwin Hall 251. There will be a discussion following. Contact Betty McLane-Iles at 785.4507 for more information.

An IT-HOW-2 workshop covering basic Web page editing is scheduled from 9:30-11 a.m. March 16 in Pickler Memorial Library 103. Visit http://its.truman.edu/register or http://its.truman.edu/techbreak for more information or to sign up.

Learn information that everyone should know about how to reduce cholesterol levels and the dangers of having high cholesterol. This 30 minute presentation is for all faculty, staff, and designated guests at 10:30 a.m. March 16 in the Student Recreation Center Conference Room. Fresh fruit will be provided. Contact Karen Skoch at 785.7739 for more information.

Student sign up for the Chandler Monroe Oratorical Contest ends March 16. There will be cash prizes. Those interested can sign-up in their public speaking classrooms or by contacting their COMM 170 professors. The contest is open to all COMM 170 students from the fall and spring semesters. Contact Angela Crawford at AngelaC@truman.edu or 913.522.7193 for more information.

Peer tutor applications for the language program will be accepted until March 16. Applications are available in McClain Hall 304. Contact Ron Manning at rmanning@truman.edu for more information.

Like Dodgeball? Phi Sigma Pi is having a dodgeball tournament from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 18 in the Pershing Small Gym. Teams of eight can compete with an entry fee of $20. Contact Emily Meyer at ejm761@truman.edu or at 847.687.6309 for more information.

Kirk Tran is offering a free ride March 21. Kirk Tran, Kirksville’s public transportation system, has 19 local area stops.

There will be a petting zoo on campus as part of National Agriculture Week from 1-4 p.m. March 21 in Magruder Hall 2026. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to play with the animals, including puppies, goats and lambs. Contact Rachel Goldammer at reg934@truman.edu for more information.

The Science Division is sponsoring a Heifer International Presentation from 7-9 p.m. March 21 in Violette Hall 1010. Contact Michael Seipel at 785.4316 for more information.

The Spring 2007 Academic Year Workshop Series continues with a presentation on “Preparing Posters for the Large Format Printer.” The workshop will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. March 22 in Magruder Hall 1090. Join Matt Beaky in learning about design and software techniques to enhance any visual presentation.

The Women and Gender Studies Conference is a three-day event being held in Violette Hall 1000. The conference will last from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 and 23 and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 24. The theme of the conference is Sexual Politics. It is sponsored by the Women and Gender Studies Committee and the Language and Literature Division. Contact Linda Seidel at lseidel@truman.edu or 785.4491 for more information.

Want to begin a running program? Improve an old one? The Student Recreation Center is holding a Running 101 presentation that will show beginners how to get started and those who are already running how to improve. Topics include technique, choosing the correct shoes, safety and injury prevention. Contact Karen Skoch at kbskoch@truman.edu or 785.7739 for more information.

Study abroad in the Caribbean. Informational meetings for “Sweet Power: Sugar, Empires and Slaves in the Caribbean,” a six-hour credit study abroad course scheduled for winter break 2007-2008. The meetings will take place at 6 p.m. March 27 in the Student Union Building Conference Room and at 5 p.m. March 28 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. The two sessions will be identical, discussing photos, itinerary and ways to finance the program. Contact Steven Reschly at sdr@truman.edu or 785.4648 for more information.