Vol. 12 No. 10 - Oct. 30, 2007

Features

  • Debaters Take Second at Competition

    Students from the Truman State University Forensic Union garnered awards at the Nebraska Double-Up, co-hosted by Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.) and Concordia University (Seward, Neb.), Oct. 19-21 in Omaha. Among the 12 honors the team brought home, Truman debaters were ranked second overall in the debate division of the tournament.

    In parliamentary debate competition, the team of Dylan Rothermel, a senior economics major from Homewood, Ill., and Mark Buchheit, a sophomore history major from Carthage, Mo., reached the semifinals of the open division before being defeated by last year’s national runner-up team from Creighton University. Their compatriots, Sara Archer, a senior accounting major from Riverside, Mo., and Chris Girouard, a junior communication major from Chesterfield, Mo., reached the octafinals of the open division tournament. Parliamentary debaters engage topics of value and policy on a range of different topics, which change for each debate.

    Meanwhile, in Lincoln-Douglas debate competition, three Truman competitors reached elimination rounds. Dylan Clark, a freshman political science major from Maryland Heights, Mo., took second in the junior division of the tournament, losing in the final round to a competitor from Wisconsin’s Carthage College after defeating competitors from Creighton and Missouri Southern State University. Sarah Backhaus, a freshman political science major from Liberty, Mo., reached the octafinals of the open division of the tournament, while Barbara Gillard, a freshman political science major from Jackson, Mo., reached the quarterfinals of the junior division. Girouard was ranked the fifth-best speaker in the open division, followed by Buchheit, who was ranked sixth. Clark was ranked the best speaker in the junior division, followed by Gillard in fifth place. Students in Lincoln-Douglas debate argue about various aspects of foreign aid policy toward the Greater Horn of Africa for the duration of the 2007-2008 season.

    In individual speaking events, a young team garnered some of its first awards and earliest National Championship tournament qualifications. Andrew Kindiger, a freshman English major from Liberty, Mo., reached semifinals of extemporaneous speaking at the portion of the tournament hosted by Creighton University. Archer took home sixth-place honors in extemporaneous speaking at the Concordia half of the tournament, qualifying for the National Forensic Association championships in April. She was joined by Jamie Menown, a sophomore nursing major from Kansas City, Mo., who took fifth in rhetorical criticism and also garnered her first nationals qualification. Extemporaneous speakers deliver seven-minute speeches on questions related to current events and public policy, after a brief 30-minute preparation period. Students in rhetorical criticism provide a 10-minute speech analyzing an artifact of public communication.

    Gillard, Clark and Backhaus’ placements in Lincoln-Douglas debate competition similarly qualify them for national competition in April.
  • Glenn to Speak at Global Issues Forum

    The third Global Issues Forum for this semester will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in Magruder Hall 2001.

    Evelyn Nakano Glenn, a sociologist with a joint appointment in Ethnic Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, will be the guest speaker. Glenn is the founding director of the Center for Race and Gender at Berkeley, and is the author of several books, including “Unequal Freedom: How Race and Gender Shaped American Citizenship and Labor,” and “Issei, Nissei, Warbride: Three Generations of Japanese American Women in Domestic Service.”

    She is the 2007-2008 Feminist Lecturer for Sociologists for Women in Society, and she will be speaking on the topic “Yearning for Lightness?: The New Global Marketing of Skin Whitening Products.”

    “A close examination of the global circuits of skin lightening provides a unique lens through which to view the workings of the current and evolving global commercial system as it simultaneously promulgates white-supremacist ideology while also promoting western-dominated consumer culture,” Glenn said.

    The Truman community is invited to hear Glenn speak. A reception will follow the lecture.
  • Kirksville Chapter of Sigma Xi Donates Books to Kirksville Middle School

    SigmaXiMiddleSchoolDonation.jpg

    (Left to right) John Ma, plant biologist at Truman and secretary of Kirksville Sigma Xi; Trish Sexton, biochemist at KCOM and treasurer of Kirksville Sigma Xi; Robert Baer, physiologist at KCOM and president elect of Kirksville Sigma Xi; Deena Moffitt, librarian at Kirksville Middle School Library; Judi Misale, psychologist at Truman and president of Kirksville Sigma Xi; and Neil Sargentini, microbiologist at KCOM and past president of Kirksville Sigma Xi; present a set of books to the Kirksville Middle School.

    F
    ollowing its donation of a book series titled “Women’s Adventures in Science” to the Adair County Library this past summer, the Kirksville Chapter of Sigma Xi donated a second set to the Kirksville Middle School library on Oct. 17. The money for this purchase of these books was donated by Sigma Xi members.

    There are 10 books in the series, sponsored by the National Academics of Science, each of which focuses on the life and career of a particular woman scientist. Careers described in the books include: planetary astronomy, forensic anthropology, sociology, wildlife biology, climate science, neuropsychology, biomechanics, robot design, planetary geology, and physics. Books are most appropriate for middle school students.

    Sigma Xi is the national Scientific Research Society, and Kirksville Sigma Xi includes faculty, staff and student members from the research communities at both Truman State University and the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University. In addition to sponsoring one public lecture each spring, Kirksville Sigma Xi members participate in various community outreach projects from giving talks or tours of their research labs to local school classes to providing judges for science-related competitions. Most recently,  Sigma Xi members participated in judging the regional Design and Build Competition for Middle School and High School projects. In addition, Sigma Xi makes an annual award of Teacher of the Year for outstanding Math and Science teachers in area schools.

    More information about Kirksville Sigma Xi, recent award winners and contact information is available online at http://sigmaxi.truman.edu.
  • Gering Gives Truman Faculty Forum About Katydids to Students at Ray Miller Elementary School

    JonGeringKatydids1-1.jpg

    Jon Gering, associate professor of biology, presents katydid information to third graders at Ray Miller Elementary School in Kirksville recently.

    J
    on Gering, associate professor of biology, presented a Truman Faculty Forum titled “The Katydids: Model Organisms for Citizen Science” at 9 a.m. Oct. 12 at Ray Miller Elementary School.

    Third graders were able to attend Gering’s presentation, which covered basic information about the katydids: what characters distinguish them from crickets and grasshoppers, what they look like, and what sound they make. He also provided the children and their families with keys, developed by Gering and his students, to identify katydid sounds. Finally, he provided live katydids that were handled by the children.

    The main purpose of the presentation was to foster a sense of ‘biophilia’ by exposing children to this abundant, widespread, and charismatic family of insects that are model organisms for citizen science.

    The Truman Faculty Forum was created in 2003 to give faculty the opportunity to present their research and creative work to the Truman community and to enhance the importance of scholarship and creativity in the culture of our institution. In the spirit of the liberal arts, the Forum provides one more way of exposing all members of the Truman community to various fields of investigation. A variety of formats are offered including public lectures, classroom-style symposia, performances, and gallery exhibitions. By opening the presentations up to the public, the Forum is yet another way that Truman serves the Kirksville community at large.
  • Hensley Receives American Stars of Teaching Award

    Melissa Hensley, previously a reading coach in the Milan C-2 school district, received the American Stars of Teaching award for the state of Missouri.

    The United States Department of Education presents the American Stars of Teaching to one teacher in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia each year; a representative from the U.S. Department of Education traveled to Milan to present Hensley with the honor, which came as a
    surprise. Her former principal nominated her for the award last year.

    Hensley now works as a reading specialist at the Northeast Regional Professional Development Center at Truman.

    More than 4,000 teachers nationwide were nominated for the American Stars of Teaching award this year. The distinction recognizes educators of all disciplines for their unique success stories.
  • Communication Disorders Graduate Student Recruitment Day

    The Truman State University Communication Disorders (CMDS) Department will be hosting a Graduate Student Recruitment Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in Barnett Hall 1400.

    All prospective students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in communication disorders from Truman are invited to attend. Information regarding the communication disorders graduate program, the profession, employment opportunities and funding for graduate school will be provided along with the opportunity to meet faculty, alumni and students of the program.

    R.S.V.P. to Sara Logan, Graduate Recruitment Day coordinator, at sel430@truman.edu.
  • Truman Recycling Information


    This week's printed issue contains an insert with a November calendar and information about what Truman recycles.

    Log on to http://recycling.truman.edu to find out what Truman recycles.

    In addition, a November 2007 calendar is available online at http://trumantoday.truman.edu/Calendar-Nov2007.pdf with additional recycling information.


    What Truman Recycles:
    Mixed Office Paper
       Can be tied with string, placed in cardboard box or paper bags or placed loose in mixed office paper containers.
    Acceptable:

        Computer paper
        Typing paper
        Writing paper
        Photocopy paper
        Envelopes
        Light pastel colors
        File folders
        Unwanted residential mail
        Staples
    Not acceptable:
        Carbon paper, other sensitized paper
        Blueprint paper
        Film, photographs, tape or glue
        Metal objects, spiral binders, fasteners

    Shredded Paper

    All shredded paper must be in bags and tied securely.
    Acceptable:
        White paper
        Colored paper
        Any paper that can be placed in mixed office.

    Printer Cartridges

    Place in any recycling container.

    Plastic Bottles and Jugs
    Check the bottom of the container for the recycling logo. Inside the logo is a number identifying the type of plastic. Generally, plastics accepted for recycling at Truman are No. 1 and No. 2 only.
    Containers must be rinsed.
    Please discard all caps and lids.
    Acceptable:
        Milk jugs
        Juice jugs
        Food containers
        Detergent bottles
        Shampoo bottles
        Butter containers
        Bleach jugs
        Yogurt containers
        PET containers
    Not acceptable:
        Motor oil bottles

    Cans

    All aluminum cans are acceptable. Please rinse the cans and remove labels if possible.

    Glass

    All glass is acceptable. Please rinse the containers and remove labels if possible.


    America Recycles Day
    10 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Nov. 15
    Student Union Building
    (on the mall, weather permitting)

    Information tables include:
    • University Recycling Center
    • ECO: “Bring your own bag”
    • General recycling information
    • Garbology and demonstrations
    • University Composting project


    Recycling Center Tours
    Anyone who would like to have a tour of the Recycling Center on campus can contact Howard Worcester, Truman’s recycle coordinator, at 785.7672 to schedule a tour after Nov. 15.



    Truman’s Recycling Center is located in Building 4 of the Dulaney/Baldwin Complex on the south side of LaHarpe St. across from the rappelling tower at the south end of campus.

    Truman’s Recycling Center accepts public drop-off items from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The University Recycling Center will be closed on all holidays.

    Contact Howard Worcester, Truman’s recycle coordinator, at 785.7672 for more information.

Announcements

  • Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Candidates

    The Search Advisory Committee hopes that as many members of the Truman community as possible will be able to attend these important events, during which Truman staff, students, and faculty may ask questions of each of the four candidates

    Mark Gromko
    Open Forum with Faculty and Staff
    3-4:15 p.m. • Oct. 29 • VH 1000

    Open Forum with Students
    3-4:15 p.m. • Oct. 30 • VH 1000

    Candidate Evaluation Forms are due to Traci Hill at 5 p.m. Oct. 31.

    Susan Conner
    Open Forum with Faculty and Staff
    2-3:15 p.m. • Nov. 1 • VH 1000

    Open Forum with Students
    3:30-4:45 p.m. • Nov. 1 • VH 1000

    Candidate Evaluation Forms are due to Traci Hill at 5 p.m. Nov. 2.

    Troy Paino
    Open Forum with Students
    3-4:15 p.m. • Nov. 5 • VH 1000

    Open Forum with Faculty and Staff
    3-4:15 p.m. • Nov. 6 • VH 1000

    Candidate Evaluation Forms are due to Traci Hill at 5 p.m. Nov. 7.

    Lance Grahn
    Open Forum with Faculty and Staff
    3-4:15 p.m. • Nov. 12 • VH 1000

    Open Forum with Students
    3-4:15 p.m. • Nov. 13 •VH 1000

    Candidate Evaluation Forms are due to Traci Hill at 5 p.m. Nov. 14.

    Input from the campus community is crucial to the success of the search. Candidate Evaluation Forms for each candidate will be provided at each open forum and a link to an electronic Candidate Evaluation Form has been added to the search Web site: http://provostsearch.truman.edu. All open fora will be videotaped with copies made available at Pickler Media Library and an online copy available on the search Web site as soon as possible following the conclusion of a forum.
  • Pi Kappa Phi’s No Boundaries Week Activities

    For this national outreach program, Pi Kappa Phi members will set up stationary bikes on the Quadrangle 8 a.m. Oct. 29 and going 24 hours through 6 p.m. Nov. 2. Their goal is to ride 4,000 miles. They have already solicited help from several organizations on campus, including all of the sororities.

    Another project that they have planned is a textbook drawing with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Push America.

    The week will be capped off with a wheelchair ramp Nov. 3 for a family in the area who has problems accessing their house. They will work with Rural Advocates for Independent Living (RAIL) on this project. 

    Contact Andrew Green at ajgreen@truman.edu for more information.
  • 2008 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Abstracts Due Oct. 30

    Oct. 30 is the last day to submit an abstract to Truman for consideration for the 2008 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).  All abstracts must be submitted online by midnight to http://step.truman.edu/ncur. Only abstracts submitted through this portal by midnight will be considered for inclusion in Truman’s delegation to NCUR, which is funded by the VPAA’s office.

    Questions should be directed to The Next STEP Office at 785.7252 or step@truman.edu.
  • Expecto Terror at the Career Center’s Haunted Hogwarts Haunted House

    People may bring their friends for a terrifyingly scary time, it’s Harry Potter with a horrifying twist. “Enemies of the heir, beware!” The Haunted House will be open from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Career Center.

    This is the fifth annual Haunted House. It is free of charge, all are welcome to attend, and free candy will be available.

    Contact the Career Center at 785.4353 or e-mail Becky Hadley at behad@truman.edu for more information.
  • Spring Foundation Scholarship Applications Due

    The Truman State University Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are available for Foundation scholarships for the spring 2008 semester. Scholarships are available in the following categories: general, accounting, business administration, classical and modern languages and nursing.

    To apply, go to http://www.truman.edu and click on Student Life, Money, Foundation Scholarships or go directly to http://secure.truman.edu/isupport-s/. The deadline is midnight Nov. 1.
  • Haskell Indian Nations University Dancers

    The Haskell Indian Nations University Dancers will perform inter-tribal dance styles from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the SUB Down Under.

    Contact Laura Bates at lbates@truman.edu for more information. 
  • Summer Research in Molecular Ecology

    Students interested in doing summer research in Molecular Ecology are invited to apply to join Jose Herrera’s research team for summer 2008. Participants will spend 10 weeks traveling across Mexico, the United States and Canada to examine the ecological role of Dark Septate Fungal Endophytes (DSEs) within a variety of sites.

    Participants will receive a $3,500 stipend, three hours of undergraduate research credit, and room/board for the duration of the 10-week experience. To qualify for the program, students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and able to obtain a passport prior to May 1, 2008. The program will take place beginning in mid-May and will run through mid-July.

    For additional information on the program including application materials please visit http://step.truman.edu/herrera.
    Interested students should apply online; applications will begin being reviewed Dec. 15.

    For questions about the program or application process, please contact Jennifer Thompson at 785.7252 or by e-mail at step@truman.edu.
  • Dobson Hall Senate is hosting its annual fall outdoor concert, Toasterpalooza

    3-9 p.m. • Nov. 3 Dobson Hall Courtyard

    The bandfest is free and local bands will perform. In addition to bands, TAG Improv will be performing between acts. Popcorn, hot cocoa and cotton candy will be available.

    Contact JoEllen Flanagan at jaf3154@truman.edu for more information.
  • Additional Events on Master Calendar

    To view additional events happening on campus, log on to the master calendar at http://calendar.truman.edu.
  • Learning Express Database

    Library-EncouragingDiscovery.jpg

    Learning Express, accessible at http://www.learningexpresslibrary.com, is an online, interactive testing database provided to Truman State University through the MOREnet consortium.

    This resource is designed to help people prepare for tests such as the ACT, ASVAB, Civil Service, Cosmetology, EMS, Firefighter, GED, GMAT, GRE, Law Enforcement, Paramedic, PPST, Real Estate, SAT, United States Citizenship and more.

    Learning Express provides test preparation materials designed for all ages along with instant scoring and customized feedback.
  • Truman Intramural Recreational Sports Planner

    Activity: Free Throws
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Nov. 5
    *Captains’ Meeting: 4:30 p.m. • Nov. 8
    Play Begins: Nov. 10 & 17

    Activity: Hot Shots
    Division: Open/Org/Greek
    Deadline: Nov. 5
    *Captains’ Meeting: 4:30 p.m. • Nov. 8
    Play Begins: Nov. 10 & 17

    Activity: Texas Hold'em
    Division: Open
    Deadline: Nov. 5
    *Captains’ Meeting: 4:30 p.m. • Nov. 8
    Play Begins: Nov. 11
                    
    Entry forms and information sheets may be picked up at the Student Recreation Center (lobby area). Entry forms are to be deposited into the metal box located at the Member Services Desk in the Student Recreation Center. The entry deadline for each sport will be 11 p.m. on the date posted above. Online registration is available. Captains’ Meetings for each sport will take place on the Thursday evening following the entry deadline (unless otherwise noted) at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Student Recreation Center. Official rules for each sport are available online at http://recreation.truman.edu.

Notables

  • Notables

    John Ishiyama, professor of political science and director of the McNair Program; Paul Parker, professor of political science; John James Quinn, associate professor of political science; and Candace Young, professor of political science; had their article “Surveying Capstone Courses in Political Science” accepted for publication in the journal Academic Exchange Quarterly. The article will appear in the December 2007 issue of the journal.

    Lesa Ketterlinus, director of the Career Center
    , was one of the 12 recipients of the Key Leader Award as an outstanding volunteer for the YMCA in the state of Missouri. She was recognized at the Key Leaders Conference Oct. 12 in Columbia, Mo.

    Steven D. Reschly, associate professor of history and chair of the department of history,
    and M. Lynn Rose, associate professor of history, gave the keynote speech, “Third-Wave Feminism: Women’s Abilities and Disabilities in the Twenty-First Century,” for International Women’s Day at the American University of Kuwait, Kuwait City, on March 8, 2007. Rose also presented “Issues in Disability” for an upper-level class in business philosophy at AUK, and Reschly presented “‘High Noon’ and American Popular Culture” as part of AUK’s film forum.
    Rose and Reschly, with the support of the Center for International Education Abroad, facilitated “Sacred Sites in Greece” in May 2007, taking 23 Truman students to mainland Greece and Santorini, where they were guided by vulcanologist Tom Pfeiffer. The author of “Fire in the Sea,” Walter L. Friedrich, gave a lecture to the group on May 24.
    Reschly presented “Documentation, New Deal Administration, Perpetuation, Tourist Attraction: Shifting Images of Lancaster County Amish in the 1930s and 1940s,” at the conference “The Amish in America: New Identities and Diversities,” Elizabethtown College, June 8.
    Rose’s essay, “Teaching Gilgamesh: The Historical Context of Obliteration,” which she co-authored with two Truman alumnae Shannon Crowder (’07) and Jennifer Roberts (’07) and Shahrbonu Rezaiekhaligh, a senior history major, was published in The International Journal of the Humanities 4.6 (2007): 65-72. The essay won one of 10 Common Ground Publishing 2007 International Awards of Excellence.
    On July 12, Rose presented a guest lecture on “Feminism and Freakery” at the University of Rostock, Germany, where Reschly taught two courses in June and July, mentoring one Truman student in each. Carolyn Minchk, a senior majoring in English and biology, assisted in “Religion and Politics in America;” Abigail Wolcott, a senior in history, assisted with “Women and Gender in Twentieth-Century US History.”
    Rose and Reschly led weeklong Advanced Placement Summer Institutes in Kansas City, Rose on world history with Sally West, associate professor of history, and Reschly on U.S. history with Bradley Dyke from Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa.
    On Sept. 1, Reschly presented “‘She Would Not Permit That I Should Stay Away From Church:’ The Emotions of a Hausvater and Hausfrau in Europe and the New World, 1821-1868,” at the conference “Myth and Reality of Anabaptist/Mennonite Women 1525-1900 in Continental Europe,” The Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
    Rose and Reschly presented their co-written research, “Amish Tourism in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as Open-Air Freak Show” on Oct. 2, through the Transdisciplinary Program at the Claremont Graduate School of Religion, Claremont, Calif. Rose presented “Killing Defective Babies” on Oct. 4 at the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity Lecture Series at Claremont College.
    In March 2008, Reschly and Rose will travel to the American University of the United Arab Emirates-Al Ain, where they have been invited to present their scholarship.

Notes

  • Notes

    The Truman State University Speech and Hearing Clinic has begun providing services via telehealth to citizens in rural communities surrounding Kirksville, in conjunction with the Northeast Missouri Telehealth Network. The Truman community is invited to attend an Open House to unveil the new telehealth site in Barnett Hall, and help spread the word about uses of telehealth. Truman State University Speech and Hearing Clinic Telehealth Open House will take place from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 30 in Barnett Hall 1400, the Truman State University Speech and Hearing Clinic. All university staff and faculty who are interested in learning about how telehealth services are used in Northeast Missouri to reduce travel and time for obtaining specialized healthcare should attend. Also, students interested in health-related careers should attend. There will be a live speech therapy demonstration from 10:30-11:30 a.m. There will be limited reserved parking behind Barnett.

    Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF) needs everyone’s help for the H2O project. They are hosting a two-week fund-raising and awareness campaign from Nov. 1 to Nov. 14 for the drilling of clean water wells in Africa. During this time, they are going to drink only water and then donate the money they would have spent on other beverages to Blood: Water Mission, an organization that funds the drilling of wells in Africa. People and their organizations can do the same. There will be an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in Baldwin Hall 249. To learn more about Blood: Water Mission go to http://www. bloodwatermission.org. E-mail mark.hoger@gmail.com or emily.krogmann@gmail.com for more information.

    The next Physics Colloquium is at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in Magruder Hall 1000. Ping Yu of the University of Missouri-Columbia department of physics and astronomy will be speaking on “Diffusion Photons for Biomedical Imaging Applications.” There will be refreshments 10 minutes before the talk.

    The International Film Festival presents “Le Temps Qui Reste,” which means “Time to Leave.” This is a film from France from 2005. It will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Downtown Cinema 8. To learn more about the festival and the films, log on to http://rcp.truman.edu/internationalfilm.htm.

    University Society of Middle Eastern Dance (USMED) presents Halloween Hafla from 8-10 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Student Union Building Down Under. There will be a short belly dance show that will be then followed by a costume party/dance. Everyone is invited and the cost will be $1 to get in and free for those who wear a costume. During the dance there will be additional activities such as tarot readings and a special guest hypnotist. E-mail TrumanUSMED@gmail.com for more information.

    Huping Ling, professor of history, will be signing her new book, “Voices of the Heart: Asian American Women on Immigration, Work, and Family,” immediately following the Global Issues Forum Nov. 1 in Magruder Hall 2001. Ling has devoted two decades to studying Asian Americans in the Midwest, an underrepresented area in Asian American studies, and published her research in “Surviving on the Gold Mountain: A History of Chinese American Women and Their Lives” and “Chinese St. Louis: From Enclave to Cultural Community, Chinese in St. Louis: 1857-2007.” The importance and contributions of her work have been recognized nationally and internationally. “Voices of the Heart” is a firsthand look at Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Laotians, Hmong, Thai and Pakistani women of the Midwest. Through oral histories, they tell their heartfelt stories of their journeys to America, their aspirations and dreams, their strides in education and employment, their cultural heritage, and their family dynamics. Published by Truman State University Press, the book will be on sale for $30.

    The next Biology Seminar Series will take place from 12:30-1:20 p.m. Nov. 2 in Magruder Hall 2001. Andrea Porras-Alfaro of the University of New Mexico will be speaking on “Diversity and Structure of Soil and Endophytic Fungal Communities in Semiarid Grassland.” Refreshments will be served at 12:20 p.m. outside of Magruder Hall 2001. E-mail wkp956@truman.edu for more information.

    IT Services invites faculty, staff and students to TechBreak at 1:30 p.m. each Friday in the Student Union Building Room 320. This weekly series is an opportunity to share information about new and existing IT Service offerings. There will be snacks and conversation. Additional details and the topic schedule can be found at http://its.truman.edu/techbreak.

    Eastern Blok will present a lecture and performance on the history of Balkan music at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Student Union Building Down Under. Eastern Blok has toured all across the United States and received rave reviews. Multicultural Affairs, the Residential College Program and the Department of Classical and Modern Languages are sponsoring this free event.

    The Truman State University Symphony Orchestra will present a concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. The program will include the “Simple Symphony for String Orchestra” by Benjamin Britten and Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 1” (“Spring”). The orchestra will be joined by Gregory Jones, Truman professor of trumpet, in the “Concerto in E-flat” by Neruda.

    Eta Sigma Gamma and the Student Health Center are sponsoring free tobacco cessation classes from 8-9 p.m. Nov. 7, 14, 28 and Dec. 5 in Pershing Building 301. There will be free patches, gum, quit classes and physician consultations. Any student, staff or faculty member are welcome. Please contact the Student Health Center at 785.4182 to sign up today.

    The Third Annual Madrigal Dinner will take place Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Jackson Stables. Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $17 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at http://music.truman.edu/madrigal or call 785.4428. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted. Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir composed of students from across campus. This year, it is being directed by graduate students Nicole  Robertson and Tim Rebers. People can reserve their tickets now.

    The Homecoming Committee thanks
    Alpha Sigma Gamma for sponsoring the Tailgate Picnic, Student Senate for sponsoring the Alumni Golf Tournament, and Cardinal Key and Phi Epsilon Kappa for sponsoring the 5K Run.