Vol. 15, No. 31 - May 3, 2011

The Truman speech and debate team returned from the National Forensics Association Championship Tournament last week with the best finish in the history of the program. Truman finished second in Lincoln-Douglas debate sweepstakes and fifth in individual events sweepstakes in Division II.
 
The national championship took place at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., April 15-18. The tournament brought together 93 individual event and 25 debate schools from across the nation.

The Lincoln-Douglas team was comprised of two seniors and four freshmen. It was freshman phenom Myra Milam who advanced to the quarterfinal round, placing her in the top eight debaters in the nation. No Truman competitor in Lincoln-Douglas debate has ever advanced further than the quarterfinal round.

When reflecting on her first collegiate national championship, Milam commented, “You never know what those around you are capable of until you are all thrown into something as difficult and demanding as nationals. Watching the team come together and work so hard was inspiring. It made me glad to be a part of this team.”

Senior Sarah Backhaus also advanced into elimination rounds in Lincoln-Douglas debate, making it to the octofinal round. This placed her in the top 16 of the 84 competitors. Both Milam and Backhaus were also awarded for their eloquent speaking style with speaker awards, winning third place and seventh place, respectively.

These awards contributed to the team’s second place finish in Lincoln-Douglas debate sweepstakes.  This is the highest that Truman has ever placed, and it was a team effort. Every time a debater wins a preliminary or elimination round, points are added to the team’s total. It takes the whole team doing consistently well in order to win a sweepstakes trophy. Previously, the team’s best finish was fourth place.

In individual events, sophomore Jessica Petrie finished second place in both Impromptu Speaking and Editorial Impromptu Speaking. With 250 competitors, Impromptu Speaking had the most entries at the championship. Editorial Impromptu, a new experimental event, only let an elite group participate—80 of the nation’s finest speakers.

In Truman’s history, only one other person has reached second place, which was in 2001 when  freshman Ian Sammuel achieved the feat in After Dinner Speaking. No Truman student has accomplished this twice in the same national championship competition.

Other awards included junior Andrew Grojean’s quarterfinalist finish in Persuasive Speaking. This put him in the top 24 of 200 speakers. These speakers hailed from all across the nation and had to qualify to attend the championship tournament.

Petrie and Grojean’s awards contributed to the fifth place Individual Events Team Sweepstakes award, but again, it was a team effort. There were six students competing in individual events for Truman—three freshmen, two sophomores and one junior. Last year, Truman took three individual events competitors to the National Championship and, due to the small size of the entry, were placed in the small schools division where they took first of 46 similarly sized schools.

This year, the team was moved up one division to the President’s Division II. This consisted of teams that had 15-22 event entries. With 17 event entries, Truman just barely made the cut-off point. Yet, the team managed to place fifth out of the 20 schools in this division—including schools such as the University of Michigan and Creighton University.

“We’ve always been small in size but concentrated in talent,” said Kristi Scholten, director of Truman’s speech and debate team. “We have so much youth on this team and they are already impressing people. Mark my words: This is the team to watch in the next few years.”

Anyone interested in more information about the Truman speech and debate team can contact Scholten at kscholten@truman.edu.

Jenny Choo, a piano performance major from Wentzville, Mo., has been named a Presser Scholar for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The “Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award” is given to an outstanding music major at the end of his or her junior year. The Presser Foundation honored Choo with this prestigious award this spring.


During her college career, Choo has been the keyboard player for various ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, the Truman State University Orchestra, University Chorus and Cantoria. For the past three years, she has performed four solo recitals and worked collaboratively in various student and faculty recitals.

In 2010, Choo was selected as a winner of the Gold Medal competition in which she performed the first movement of the Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 with the University Orchestra.

After studying at Truman with David McKamie, professor of music, Choo plans to pursue degrees in both collaborative and solo piano in her graduate studies.

Theodore Presser is remembered not only as the publisher of Etude, the music magazine, and as the founder of the great music publishing firm bearing his name, but also as a philanthropist who specialized in music education.

A scholarship fund honoring Sam Minner, the outgoing Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education, and his wife Joan has been established at the Truman State University Foundation.


Minner joined Truman in 2000 as Division Head and Professor of Education. He was named Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education in 2007 and headed programs in elementary, secondary and special education, school counseling, health science, exercise science, athletic training, nursing, advanced placement, professional development and the regional professional development center.

Minner has been named provost at Radford University in Radford, Va., and will begin his new duties this summer.

To contribute to the Sam and Joan Minner Scholarship fund, please contact the Truman State University Foundation at 785.4133.

The Annual Academic Honor Awards Assembly, which recognizes outstanding students who have dedicated time, energy and talent to their academic achievement, will take place May 6 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. Alumna Stephanie Bell (‘05) an associate at Blitz, Bardgett, and Deutsch Law Firm in Jefferson City, will be the guest speaker.

The following students will be honored as the outstanding student in their respective discipline:

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Accounting
Iliyana Kuneva

Outstanding Graduate Student in Accounting               
Puskar Dahal

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agricultural Science                    
Amanda Brehm

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Anthropology           
Tekla Chantae Rudie

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art                                                             
Anna Youngyeun

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art History                                                
Valerie Lazalier

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art: Studio Art           
Laura Wellington

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Art: Visual Communication                       
Julianne Gross

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Athletic Training           
Ole Midtbo   

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biology                        
M. Christine Graves

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Finance             
Kayla Burch

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Management     
Hannah Dumey

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Marketing         
Amanda Kersting

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Marketing     
Kristin Raby

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in International Business       
Salisa Suwanprathip

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Chemistry                        
Jeffrey Boschen

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Classics                                                      
Emily Richens

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication: Journalism                      
Nathan Vickers

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Public Communication                         
Dana Bruxvoort

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication Studies                         
Allison Toepfer

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication Disorders                         
Margaret Hilliard

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication Disorders            
Grace Strube

Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Disorders                                
Bridget Conant

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Computer Science                                     
John Marty III

Outstanding Graduate Student in Counseling               
Brandon Ping

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Economics             
John Schneider

Outstanding Graduate Student in Elementary Education                                       
Matthew Carlson

Outstanding Graduate Student in Secondary Education           
Elizabeth Anderson

Outstanding Graduate Student in Special Education                                               
Elizabeth Duff   

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in English                                    
Trevor Grizzell

Outstanding Graduate Student in English                                           
Patrick Silvey

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Exercise Science                                        
Kathryn Martin

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in French                                                       
Ryan Campbell

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in German                
Tina Schutter

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in German               
Mary Viets

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Health Science                                          
Megan Temme

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in History                        
Joseph Rogers

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Interdisciplinary Studies       
Ann Bruno

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Interdisciplinary Studies       
Sara Clark

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Justice Systems                      
Jami Millhouse

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Linguistics             
Alexis Simmons

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Mathematics               
Joseph Palmer

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music                                                         
Katie Lakner

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music               
Kelsey Shields

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Nursing                                                     
Laura Groebl

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Philosophy and Religion                
Mark Lambert

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Physics                           
Jeremy Little       

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Political Science                     
Amanda Nehrkorn

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology                        
Katherine Judd

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Psychology                           
Elizabeth Necka

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Romance Language           
Erin Flannery

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Romance Language           
Kevin Regan

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Russian               
Kari Basquette

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Russian               
Trevor Krost

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Sociology                        
Krista Goodman

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Spanish                         
Jacqueline Boos

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Theatre                                                       
Madelaine Schmitt

Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award                                                                       
Alexandra Czahor

General George C. Marshall ROTC Award                                   
Joshua Dilday

In a 37-year career, Rigdon has done everything from digging ditches to serving as the CEO of his own multimillion dollar company. He has worked around the globe, including stops in Egypt, Mexico and Southeast Asia. During his career, he progressed through a series of management positions at several companies as the offshore marine service industry experienced significant consolidations during the 1980s and 1990s. As the executive vice president of Tidewater, one of the world’s largest marine-services providers, Rigdon was responsible for operations in areas including the United States, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union, among others.

By 2002, after only six weeks of retirement from Tidewater, Rigdon started his own offshore marine services company. Rigdon Marine, as the new company would come to be known, started with an order of 10 vessels, which Rigdon helped design. The new diesel-electric boats not only saved customers as much as 20 percent on fuel costs, they reshaped the industry with new redundant safety systems.  

A few years later, Rigdon Marine had a fleet of 20 vessels and employed more than 300 people. Rigdon would go on to sell his company in June 2008 to GulfMark Offshore for an enterprise value of $585 million. That same year, Ernst & Young named Rigdon Entrepreneur of the Year for Offshore Marine Services.

Rigdon remains active in the industry today and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Terresolve Technologies. He previously served on the Board of GulfMark Offshore and is active in several industry organizations.

In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and business administration from Truman, Rigdon is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. During his time at Truman, Rigdon was involved with Blue Key, Phi Sigma Epsilon, the Accounting Club and the Business Administration Club.

Family, travel and downhill skiing are passions for Rigdon and his wife, Janet K. (Thompson) Rigdon, a 1971 graduate of the University. Larry and Janet are the proud parents of Matthew M. Rigdon and Megan (Rigdon) Cannizzaro and three grandchildren. Larry’s mother, Maxine Rigdon, is a lifelong resident of Kirksville.

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 2 p.m. May 7 at Stokes Stadium.

2 p.m.
May 7
Stokes Stadium
(Rainsite: Pershing Arena)

Larry Rigdon, a 1970 Truman graduate, will give the commencement address.

For more information about commencement ceremonies and detailed instructions for graduating students,
visit http://provost.truman.edu/Graduation/index.asp.

Gold Chapters
(portfolio score of 351-400):
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Beta Theta Pi
Delta Zeta

Silver Chapters
(portfolio score of 301-350):
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Kappa
Sigma Tau Gamma

Bronze Chapters
(portfolio score of 250-300):
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa Phi
Phi Sigma Kappa
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Best Scholarship Program
Beta Theta Pi
Delta Zeta
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Best Philanthropy Program
Pi Kappa Phi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Organization of the Year
Beta Theta Pi
Delta Zeta
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Graduating Seniors with the Highest GPAs
Sean Geary
Beta Theta Pi

Trisha Myers
Sigma Sigma Sigma

Ki’ara Cross
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

More info: http://greeklife.truman.edu/greekchallenge.asp

12-3 p.m.
May 4
Quad

Take a break from studying and come out to the Quad to play games.
There will be free food and drinks. Sponsored by Residence Hall Association

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available online May 9 and in print May 10.

The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis is inviting media communication and journalism students to apply for scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year. Students of journalism or related fields who are residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area—City of St. Louis; Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis and Warren counties in Missouri; and Bond, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties in Illinois—are eligible to receive these scholarships. Applications are available online at http://stlpressclub.org/scholarships.html. Deadline for applications is May 2.

Strategic Name Development is offering a $2500 scholarship opportunity for undergraduate students majoring in linguistics, English, marketing, or mass communications with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applications are available at http://namedevelopment.com/scholarship/. Application deadline is August 15.

AES Engineers is providing $500 scholarships to high school seniors or college students, regardless of courses being studied, who meet certain criteria. Scholarships are intended for future leaders across a wide spectrum of fields of study. Students must submit an essay of no more than 1,000 words in answer to one of the questions posted at http://aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm. Deadline for entry is Oct. 7.

Erin Flannery, a senior Spanish and romance languages double major, has been admitted to the Masters of Arts program in Spanish and Latin American Linguistic, Literary and Cultural Studies. This entire program is conducted on New York University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences’ campus in Spain.

Rebecca Harrison, professor of classics, had her article “Exercises for Developing Prediction Skills in Reading Latin Sentences” published in the Fall 2010 issue of Teaching Classical Languages, available at http://tcl.camws.org. She also had a paper accepted for presentation at the American Classical Association Annual Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., in June. The presentation will be on “Teaching Students to Analyze Words Using Prefixes and Suffixes” and will include material from her current semester sabbatical.

Jenny Johnson, a senior political science major, was the recipient of a Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Award at the 19th Annual Illinois State Conference for Students of Political Science on its Bloomington-Normal campus on April 8. Johnson presented her work entitled “Political Islam and Gender Inequality.” Also presenting at the meeting were political science seniors Syed Zaidi and Sarah Backhaus. Zaidi presented “Islam and Democracy in Asia.” Backhaus presented her paper entitled “Defense Pacts and Their Influence on Nuclear Proliferation.” She also chaired the panel on “Confronting The Islamic World.”

Kevin Regan, a senior romance studies major, has been accepted into Georgetown University’s Italian Studies program for graduate work.