Vol. 13, No. 26 - March 31, 2009

Honorees at this year’s Truman State University Foundation Banquet include an alumni couple affiliated with the University for more than 60 years, a former student who contributed the largest gift in school history and a philanthropic organization that is a major donor to the Early Literacy Lab.

This year’s Banquet is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. April 4 and will take place in the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

Dean and Amy Rosebery will be honored with the 2009 President’s Leadership Award.
The award, which originated in 1998, honors select Truman alumni and friends for meritorious service through gifts of volunteerism, expertise and financial resources.

In addition to being an alumnus of the University, Dean was a long-time biology professor and head of the Division of Science. He received his B.S.E. in biology from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1941 and then attended graduate school at Virginia Tech for one year.
During World War II, Dean was a Naval lieutenant on a Destroyer Escort and spent most of his time in the North Atlantic. After his service, he returned to Virginia Tech and received this Ph.D. in aquatic zoology. Following his work as the assistant chief of the Division of Fish for the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, he began his career at Truman in 1953.

Aside from teaching the general education course “Man and the Scientific World” and serving as head of the Division of Science, he taught additional courses in biology. During many summers, he was the director of Institutes for the Teachers of Science, with funding of about $900,000 from the National Science Foundation. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and served as president of the National Association of Academies of Science.

Dean retired in 1985 as professor emeritus of biology and head emeritus of the Division of Science.

Amy graduated from the University as valedictorian of her class in 1943 with a B.A. and B.S.E. in English. She later received her M.A. degree from Columbia University in New York in 1949.

She taught speech at the Kirksville Junior High School in 1945, and from 1946-48, she taught English at Blacksburg Virginia High School. During her undergraduate days at Truman, she was active in Alpha Sigma Alpha, Cardinal Key, Alpha Phi Sigma, Pi Kappa Delta and was a member of the Debate Team.

Dean and Amy maintain active involvement with the University, especially with alumni events, Lyceum programs and the John R. Kirk Society. Dean also served as committee chairman to raise funds for the Kohlenberg Lyceum Program and Magruder Hall, the University’s science facility. The couple served as Grand Marshals for Truman’s Homecoming 2007 parade, and they have established two endowed scholarship funds at Truman.

The Roseberys have two children, who also attended the University, J. Frank Rosebery (’74) and Margaret McKinney (’76), as well as four grandchildren.

The second President’s Leadership Award will be given posthumously to Lyle Ingraham, who passed away in 2005, but through his estate he left the University a $3.44 million dollar gift, the largest in school history.

A native of Green Castle, Mo., Ingraham graduated from Browning High School in 1923. He subsequently attended the University when it was known as Kirksville Normal School. Ingraham worked as a school teacher in Sullivan County and later enrolled at Chillicothe Business College before beginning a lengthy career in the community banking industry at Citizens Savings Bank in Browning. He served as the bank’s president and chief executive officer in addition to managing insurance, farming and cattle enterprises. He retired in 1976 and moved to Kansas City, Mo. Ingraham passed away July 3, 2005, at the age of 99.


The Lyle Ingraham Scholarship Fund is designed to assist students with financial need to attain a Truman State University education. The program is designed to provide more than $125,000 in scholarship resources each year. According to scholarship guidelines, the maximum annual award per student is $4,000, with at least 30 students benefiting from the fund annually. Since 2006, nearly $400,000 has been awarded to 177 students under the Ingraham Scholarship Fund.

RiteCare Valley of Columbia, Mo., will be this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Corporation/Foundation Award based on its continuing partnership with the Communication Disorders program at Truman.

Established in 2006, the award recognizes corporations, foundations and organizations for exemplary support to the University and its students.

An affiliate of the Scottish Rite, a national Masonic organization, RiteCare Valley’s mission is to aid and assist children with learning and communication disorders. In 2003, Truman and RiteCare Valley agreed to co-found and support the RiteCare-Communication Disorders Early Literacy Lab to prevent literacy problems in children who are at high risk. Truman faculty members and students provide their services at the Early Literacy Lab, while RiteCare provides funds for materials, training and other program expenses.

This spring, RiteCare Valley contributed $100,000 to create an endowment that will provide a permanent resource to benefit the Early Literacy Lab. Annual earnings from the endowment, entitled the Columbia Valley Scottish Rite Childhood Communications Endowment Fund, will be used to provide state-of-the-art tests, therapy materials, computers and software to aid in the evaluation and treatment of clients. It may also be used to support student research, continuing education and other related activities in the area of literacy.

The RiteCare-Communication Disorders Early Literacy Lab is one of 178 clinics, centers and specialty programs supported by the Scottish Rite throughout the country. Located in Barnett Hall, the Early Literacy Lab is one aspect of Truman’s Speech and Hearing Clinic. Approximately 1,000 residents of all ages, from within a 100-mile radius of Kirksville, visit the Speech and Hearing Clinic each year to receive diagnostic and treatment services at no cost.

Truman’s Student Research Conference, the university-wide celebration of undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship and creative achievement, will be on campus April 7. 

All daytime classes will be canceled to allow everyone to attend the events on campus. The Conference continues to grow in the number of students participating and the variety of work presented. This year there will be both undergraduate and graduate research presentations in the form of papers, performances, posters and other displays.

There is a luncheon “round table” with creative writing presentations by 20 students and a play by French students, as well as art exhibits and music performances, and papers and posters representing students from all departments on campus. Papers and other presentations will be in Violette Hall and Ophelia Parrish throughout the day. The poster session and closing reception will be in Pickler Memorial Library.

A program book, including the full schedule of presentations, maps and other information, will be available the day of the conference. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Pickler Memorial Library where presenters, moderators and mentors can pick up nametags. Abstracts for the presentations are available online at the Student Research Conference website http://src.truman.edu. Attendees may design a customized schedule of presentations and events.

In addition to providing the opportunity to explore and honor the outstanding and varied work of Truman students, one of the highlights of the day will be the Plenary Address by Salima Ikram of American University in Cairo. Ikram is a world-renowned expert on mummies, who comes to Truman direct from excavations in the Valley of the Kings.

As founder and co-director of the Animal Mummy project at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Ikram has emerged as one of the leading scholars in Egyptian funerary archaeology. Combining an interest in and understanding of the past with a passion of preserving it for the future, she has brought the little known world of animal mummies to light.

Highlights of her professional career include a visiting scholar at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; a consultant Egyptologist at Giza, Saqqara, Abu Sir, and Valley of the Kings; and co-director of the North Kharga Oasis Survey.

Her series of books include a line of children’s books and three authoritative works: “Divine Creatures,” “The Mummy in Ancient Egypt and Death” and “Burial in Ancient Egypt.” Her television credits include “Da Vinci Code: Decoded,” “Tomb Raiders: Robbing the Dead” and “The Real Scorpion King.”

For those interested in Ikram’s work, some links to interviews, audio/video discussions of her research and mummification in general are available online. The University Bookstore in the Student Union Building has several of her books on sale, and she will sign books from 4:15-4:45 p.m. in Pickler Memorial Library.

Julia DeLancey, associate professor of art, and David Kincaid, assistant director of the Career Center, are co-chairs to Truman’s Faculty and Staff Campaign. Recently, faculty and staff received information about supporting the Truman Foundation through the 2009 Faculty and Staff Campaign from volunteer “area coordinators” representing various departments.

The University annually asks alumni, trustees, community businesses, parents, faculty and staff to invest in Truman. The Faculty and Staff Campaign includes goals to raise $150,000 and reach a faculty and staff participation rate of 60 percent. Gifts support scholarships, study abroad opportunities, faculty development and research, departmental needs, cultural programs, the library, athletic programs and more.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “The Power of One,” which illustrates how one individual’s gift, of any size, boosts the overall participation rate and directly impacts funding from outside constituencies, such as corporations and foundations.

This year faculty and staff will have a new option to designate where their contribution is used. In response to the current economic climate, the University developed the “Investing in Students” initiative to help students and their families who are experiencing financial hardship. “Investing in Students” is a fund that will provide direct relief to these students in the form of grants, loans or service stipends for the 2009-2010 academic year. Log on to http://isupport.truman.edu to find out more about the Faculty and Staff Campaign and the “Investing in Students” initiative.

The campaign will continue through April 3, however, all gifts received from July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009 will be counted toward the campaign. There will be a drawing April 1 to give away prize packages to faculty and staff. Faculty and staff who have donated this fiscal year are automatically entered in the drawing. For those wishing to enter, stop by the Office of Advancement in McClain Hall 100, and fill out an entry form. No donation is required.

Daniel R. Mandell, associate professor of history, will present a lecture entitled “All Men Are Created Equal: Concepts and Controversies in Revolutionary America,” at the April 1 meeting of the Truman Faculty Forum. The presentation will be at 8 p.m. in Magruder Hall Room 2001. A reception with refreshments will take place afterward. This event is free and open to the public.

 Mandell’s lecture will outline the intellectual developments around the phrase “All Men are Created Equal,” and describe how it created tension between liberty and equality during the nation’s first half-century that is still with us today.

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 the 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. The April 1 lecture is the second in the Spring 2009 series.

The Truman Media Board is seeking applicants for a 2009-2010 webmaster position. The webmaster will be responsible for the design and maintenance of the five media websites, including audio, video, text and photo uploads, and must be familiar with HTML and CSS code. This is a year-long commitment and the position is for institutional pay. Applicants may opt to apply the first 60 hours toward a scholarship requirement. Submit a resume and work sample by e-mail to blake.toppmeyer@gmail.com with the subject line: Webmaster Application 2009-2010. Applications are due April 1 and interviews will take place April 3-4.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) scholarship is now available.  Scholarship assistance is available to those pursuing careers in the specialty equipment industry. Career path opportunities include accounting, administration, advertising/PR, design/graphics, engineering, information technology, manufacturing, photo/journalism, race car driver/crew, sales/marketing, technicians and transportation. For further information visit the SEMA website at http://www.sema.org. Deadline for application is April 1.

The Zonta Club of St. Louis is now accepting applications for the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship. Women pursuing undergraduate business degrees who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field are eligible to apply. The woman must be entering the third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program. Application forms are available on the Zonta website at http://www.zonta.org. Select international programs and click on education, leadership, and youth development. Applications are due by April 3.

Alpha Delta Kappa, Sigma Chapter of Burlington, Iowa is offering one $1,000 scholarship to Des Moines County undergraduates who will be majoring in education. Further eligibility requirements include qualities of leadership, success in academics and involvement in extra curricular and/or community activities. While financial need will be considered, it will not necessarily be the primary qualification. For further information, stop by the Truman State University Financial Aid Office. Applications are due by April 3.

The Jack J. Isgur Foundation is accepting applications from students enrolled in the field of education in the humanities, such as literature, fine arts, music, art, poetry and dance.  The Foundation awards scholarships to students studying at colleges and universities who indicate an interest in teaching courses in the above-described areas in school districts located in the State of Missouri, preferably rural school districts. The scholarship is available to students at the junior and senior levels, as well as graduate students. For further information or an application, stop by the Truman Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103.  Deadline for submission is April 15.

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants will be awarding up to $1,000 each year to the winner of this scholarship. To apply students will submit an essay on one of the two topics that appear on the scholarship page of their website at http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm. Application deadline is June 20.  

The BigSun Organization is offering a $500 scholarship to a deserving student athlete, regardless of their respective sport. Please visit http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply. Deadline for submission is June 27.

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is a non-profit organization that provides access to higher education to St. Louis area students through interest free loans. The program assists students with financial need. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average, demonstrate good character, and must be a permanent resident of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles or Warren, or the Illinois counties of Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe or St. Clair for at least two years prior to application. Applications are due April 15, 2009. For more information call 314.725.7990, e-mail info@sfstl.org or can pick up an application packet in the Financial Aid Office.

Multicultural Affairs is accepting applications for 2009 Scholastic Enhancement Experience (SEE) Program Counselors.

SEE Counselors spend two weeks in the summer helping underrepresented first-year students build a strong community and learn how to be successful as a Truman student. SEE Counselors will receive $500 and free room and board during the SEE Program. 

SEE Counselors are responsible for: serving as role models to program participants; monitoring students in a residential environment to ensure individuals are in compliance with Residence Life and University policies and regulations; organizing social activities and workshops that will positively impact the participants academic and personal growth; serving as the bridge between the participants, Multicultural Affairs and the University; and building strong community between scholars while having a positive influence on their initial Truman experience.

The 2009 SEE Program will run from Aug. 9-20. SEE Counselors will report for duty Aug 6. Applications are due by 5 p.m. April 3.  Applications and more information can be found on the Multicultural Affairs website at http://mac.truman.edu under the SEE Program. For more information, contact Bertha Thomas at bthomas@truman.edu or 785.4142.

Tom Capuano, professor of foreign language, has been invited to present the results of his 2008 Truman Faculty Summer Research Fellowship at the International Interdisciplinary Colloquium “The Catalan Presence in the Meeting Space of the Medieval Mediterranean: New Sources, Research, and Perspectives,” in Barcelona, Spain May 13-16. The Colloquium is sponsored by the Institut Europeu de la Mediterrània (IEMed) and the Universitat de Barcelona. Capuano’s presentation will treat the origins and influences of medieval Catalan agricultural treatises.

Masahiro Hara, associate professor of Japanese, presented a paper entitled “L2 gap-processing and the Parallel Architecture framework” at the 10th Biannual Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition Conference at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, March 14.

Truman Student Government will host a Presidential Debate at 7:15 p.m. March 31 in Violette Hall 1010. Two candidates for Student Body President will discuss important issues related to Truman’s campus. Lizz Esfeld is running for re-election as president, with Tina Schutter as vice president. The opposition ticket consists of JoEllen Flanagan for president and Isaac Robinson for vice president.

The Weekly Lunch Series will feature a discussion on service-learning at 12:30 p.m. April 1 in the Student Union Building. Participants will brainstorm possible mechanisms to tag courses with a service-learning citation in the course catalog and on the student’s transcript.

The Funds Allotment Council and Blanton, Nason and Brewer Senate will sponsor the Tunnel of Oppression at 7 p.m. April 1-2 in the BNB basement. There is no cost to participate in this event.

The spring lab show, “How I Learned To Drive,” will be playing at 8 p.m. April 1-4. The theatre box office will be open from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 31-April 3 in Ophelia Parrish. Seating is limited and tickets are given on a first-come first-serve basis. The box office will also be open at 7:30 p.m. each night before the show. 

The Stargazers Astronomy Club will host a special observatory open house from 8:30-10:30 p.m. April 2-5 at the University Observatory. The open house is in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy’s 100 hours of observing. Saturn, Sirius and the Moon will be easily visible. 

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) will meet at 4:30 p.m. April 3, at the University Club, 516 E. Patterson. Contact Marc Becker at marc@truman.edu or call 785.6036 for more information.

There will be a Foundation Board meeting at 8 a.m. April 4 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.

The Alumni Board of Directors meeting will take place at 8:30 a.m. April 4 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room.

The Board of Governors meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. April 4 in the Student Union Building Conference Room.

Thomas D. Cravens, professor of Italian and linguistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will make a presentation entitled “Why Romance Linguistics?” at 11:30 a.m. April 6 in the Student Union Building Alumni Room. Delving into the historical development of linguistic features, this presentation demonstrates why mutual comprehensibility of Romance languages may vary. The event is free and open to the public. The lecture continues the series of presentations by Cravens sponsored by the program in Romance Languages.

Campus Crusade for Christ will bring Carl Werner, author of “Evolution: The Grand Experiment,” to present “Why I Abandoned Evolution,” at 9 p.m. April 7 in Magruder Hall 2001. Werner will be speaking on why he chose to abandon evolution after he originally started on a quest to prove evolution.

The Student Council for Exceptional Children is taking volunteer buddies for the Special Olympics Spring Games. Buddies will volunteer from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 18 and work one-on-one with the athletes. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to sign up to be a volunteer buddy contact Laura Columbo at lac6736@truman.edu.