Vol. 16, No. 22 - Feb. 21, 2012

The Big Event, an annual day of volunteer service for Truman students in the Kirksville community, is scheduled 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 17.

That day, hundreds of Truman students will provide services to the residents of the community such as raking leaves, washing windows, painting and more. The Big Event, coordinated through the University’s SERVE Center, gives Truman students the opportunity to show appreciation for all of the support the Kirksville community has offered them. Last year 1,400 students donated their time. This will be the 11th annual Big Event.

All students and student groups are invited to volunteer at one or more sites in the Kirksville area and all tasks are safe and do not require the use of power tools. The SERVE Center coordinates the materials with the host, so volunteers need not bring any.

Participants will be able to buy T-shirts or donate directly to Big Event. Their support allows the SERVE Center to continue serving the community through the annual Big Event.

Likewise, all community members and organizations are able to register to host a volunteer project through the SERVE Center.

Student registration is open now through March 2. For registration and waiver form, visit serve.truman.edu/bigevent/, email serve@truman.edu or call the SERVE Center at 785.7222.

IRS-certified students at Truman are volunteering their time to help individuals with low- to moderate-income levels file their simple tax returns for free.

Students and members of the Kirksville community can get help from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 25, March 24 and March 31 in Violette Hall 1424.

Truman’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an organization for financial information professionals, adopted Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 11 years ago. VITA is a national program established by the IRS that provides tax return assistance. Each year, 300 Truman students and members of the community seek VITA’s help.


Lucas Dille, vice president of VITA for Beta Alpha Psi, believes this assistance program is a great opportunity for all students interested in accounting or finance.

“Students participate because of the hands-on experience of preparing tax returns and working with clients,” Dille said.

Alan Davis, associate professor of accounting and the VITA advisor, assists with all training and is present on filing days. Training consists of several sessions informing volunteers about the U.S. tax system.

Volunteers must also complete several practice returns and take an IRS qualification test. This year, 150 Beta Alpha Psi members and other workers are volunteering on campus.

For more information, visit bap.truman.edu or email Lucas Dille at lmd6224@truman.edu.

The Truman men’s cross country team posted the highest cumulative grade point average among 80 Division II institutions and earned the distinction of being a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team. In addition, senior Joey Walls was one of 208 runners to earn All-Academic individual accolades.

Truman reported the highest cumulative team GPA among men’s Division II squads with a 3.71 while Gannon University in Pennsylvania was next at 3.60.

To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic cross country team, the team must have a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better and have complied a score (finished at least five runners) at their respective NCAA regional championship.

Walls, native of Columbia, Mo., and graduate of Hickman High School, finished seventh out of 145 runners at the South Central regional in November and, coupled with his GPA, was named USTFCCCA All-Academic for the second straight year.

A 3.25 GPA and either a top 50 percent finish in the NCAA Division II National Championship or a top 30 percent finish in the regional competition is required to earn All-Academic honors.

Lunch-n-Learn, a weekly lunchtime technology workshop designed for faculty to incorporate new technology in the classroom, begins Feb. 22. The Learning Technologies Team will sponsor sessions from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in Pickler Memorial Library 103. To register to attend any or all of the sessions, visit eventmanager.truman.edu.

Session one will focus on Skype Feb. 22 and how it can be used in education to bring guest lecturers into the classroom and for online courses.

Session two, Feb. 29, will focus on the use of Panopto in online, blended and face-to-face classes. Discover how adding brief introductory videos can enhance learning and build trust with students online.

Session three, on March 14, will discuss the use of VoiceThread to take online discussions to a new level of interactivity.

Session four will focus on GoogleApps March 28. In particular, it will discuss the two GoogleApps used at Truman: Google Docs and Google Sites. Learn how wikis like Google Docs can be used to facilitate deeper learning. Spend time creating a website using Google Sites that can be shared with students.

Session five, April 4, will educate on a variety of free resources used to engage students, such as TED Lectures, Merlot, Connexions, Ning, MIT OpenCourseWare and more.

Session six will focus on Films on Demand April 11. Films on Demand is a service offered by the library with digital video selections that can enhance coursework.

Session seven, April 18, will discuss social media in the classroom. Learn more about how others are effectively using social media to create learning opportunities “where they live.”

Session eight will discuss fun and free tools for use in education April 25. It will focus on Prezi to amp up presentations, Digg and Delicious to keep websites organized and StumpleUpon to stay abreast on favorite topics.

The International Student Affairs Office is now hiring for the 2012-2013 academic year. Available positions include cultural integration leader coordinator, cultural integration leaders, academic success mentors and office assistants.

The cultural integration leader coordinator helps facilitate International Student Orientation, plans and executes cultural and social events, staff training and evaluation, and weekly meetings to keep communication open between the professional staff and cultural integration leaders.

Cultural integration leaders are student workers who live in the residence halls and use their scholarship or work-study hours to assist international students adjust to an American university and culture.

Academic success mentors assist international students in adjusting to the academic rigors of Truman by meeting individually with students on a weekly basis.

Office assistants provide effective support in the daily operations of the International Student Affairs Office through receptionist duties, answering questions and providing welcoming service to all international students.

Details on each position can be found on TruPositions. Applications are available in Kirk Building 120 and are due by 5 p.m. March 2.

Two squads from Truman’s Mock Trial Team competed at the 2012 Kansas City Regional Tournament hosted by UMKC as part of the American Mock Trial Association Feb. 11-12.

Peter Bruntrager, a senior mathematics major, won the individual award for Outstanding Attorney.

Nasra Aaden, a sophomore justice systems major; Samantha Simms, a junior business administration major; and Ann Frydrych, a junior justice systems major, won individual awards for Outstanding Witness.

One squad placed 6th out of 24 teams and is invited to compete at the opening round of the National Championships in St. Louis in March.

The 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available at www.fafsa.gov. It is important to apply before April 1 to be considered for all available funding.

The government allows filing with estimates in order to meet early state or institutional deadlines. The FAFSA is also required for Parent (PLUS) Loans.

Contact the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103, or call 785.4130 with any questions.

Truman State University Foundation Scholarship applications are now available.

Approximately $250,000 will be awarded to current Truman students for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Applications are available online and are due by midnight March 14.

To learn more, go to truman.edu and click on Student Life/Money/Foundation Scholarships or visit
secure.truman.edu/isupport-s/.

National Residence Hall Honorary is an organization that recognizes excellence in the Truman community by nominating both individuals and organizations on campus for “Of the Month” awards across 15 categories. February’s “Of the Month” winners include:

New Student Programs and the School of Business are recruiting Academic Peer Mentors for the 2012-2013 academic year.

The academic peer mentors support the advising staff by providing an academic outreach program to first- and second-year students who are accounting or business administration majors or who are considering these majors.

Applicants must be juniors or seniors by the Fall 2012 semester and must be accounting or business administration majors. A job listing can be viewed on TruPositions under “Academic Peer Mentor.” Applications are available in the Business Academic Advising Center in Violette Hall 2413 and are due by March 19.

Truman students can nominate an outstanding full-time faculty advisor for the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award.

To nominate a faculty member, complete the online nomination form at newstudents.truman.edu/web/form_builder2/form_builder.asp?testId=356.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. April 8. Academic Advisors are not eligible for the award.

Contact Marty Eisenberg at martye@truman.edu with questions.

Telecounselors call prospective students Monday through Thursday evenings to inform them about the Truman experience and answer questions about the admission process.

Scholarship, institutional, volunteer and work-study positions are available for the 2012-2013 school year.

Applications are available online at telecounseling.truman.edu, by emailing a request to Kara Humphrey at karah@truman.edu or by picking up a paper copy at the front desk in the Office of Admission (Ruth W. Towne Museum & Visitors Center on the corner of Franklin St. and Normal Ave.).

Applications are due at 5 p.m. Feb. 24.

The U.K. Fulbright Commission announced the opening of an additional Summer Institute to take place at the King’s College London Summer School. This three-week program for U.S. undergraduates will center around the theme of the London 2012 Olympics Games.

All Summer Institutes will provide an immersive academic, cultural and social experience for freshman or sophomore American students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the U.K.  

The Commission is now offering a total of seven opportunities for U.S. undergraduates. The application deadline is March 16. For more information on each Institute and details on how to apply, visit www.fulbright.co.uk/fulbright-awards/for-us-citizens/summer-institutes.

Nominations for the Leadership Recognition Program are open now through March 14. The Center for Student Involvement is sponsoring this program to honor Truman students, advisors and organizations for their dedication to their peers, campus and Kirksville community through various leadership roles during the year.

Nomination information can be obtained online at csi.truman.edu/lrp/. For more information on this event, contact the CSI by phone at 785.4222 or by email at csilrp@gmail.com.

The Joshua Pond Law Scholarship is now available. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, must presently have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher and must be currently enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year college, trade school or university. Visit joshuapondlaw.com/scholarship to find out more information. Deadline for application is Feb. 29.

Scholarships are available through Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri, Inc., for the 2012-2013 academic year. Last year they awarded more than $13,000 in scholarships. Two students selected by the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri will be submitted to Central Region as an applicant and to National Gardens Club Inc., as a Missouri applicant and will compete for a Central Region and National Scholarship. The application is available at www.gardenclub.org/Youth/Scholarships.aspx. The deadline to apply is March 1.

The J. R. Popalisky Scholarship Fund of the Missouri Section of the American Water Works Association is now available. This $1,000 scholarship is to encourage enrollment in educational studies related to career fields associated with water supply. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103. Deadline for submission is March 21.

U.S. Bank is awarding 40 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 through a random drawing process. Undergraduate students attending an eligible four-year college or university participating in the U.S. Bank Student Loan Program are eligible to apply. More information about this scholarship opportunity can be found at usbank.com/studentloans. Deadline to apply is March 31.

The Missouri Insurance Education Foundation will award scholarships to deserving students attending Missouri colleges or universities in a program that could lead to positions in the insurance industry in Missouri. The C. Lawrence Leggett Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500, is to be awarded to a junior or senior Missouri resident majoring in insurance or a related area of study. In addition to the Leggett Scholarship, the foundation has made an additional scholarship available in the amount of $2,000. Application forms are available on their website at www.mief.org and are due by March 31.

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. Applications are due April 15. For more information, call 314.725.7990 or email info@sfstl.org.

SellUsedBooks.com is currently accepting applications for their Spring 2012, 500-word essay, “Why I Deserve to Win this Scholarship” contest. More information may be found at www.sellusedbooks.com/sell-used-books-college-essay.htm. Deadline for the $1,000 scholarship application is April 15.

The William M. Reiss Foundation is offering scholarships to graduates of publicly supported high schools located within the city limits of Belleville, Ill. Official college transcripts are required and a copy of the Student Aid Report from the FASFA is recommended. For more information, or to apply for this scholarship, visit the Financial Aid Office at McClain Hall 103. Deadline to apply is May 1.

The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis is inviting eligible media communication and journalism students to apply for scholarships for the 2012-2013 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 www.stlpressclub.org/scholarships.html. Deadline for applications is May 4.

The Jack J. Isgur Foundation awards scholarships to students studying at colleges and universities who indicate an interest in teaching courses in the humanities, such as literature, fine arts, music, art, poetry and dance in Missouri schools, preferably in rural school districts. It is available to those at the junior and senior levels of undergraduate college, as well as graduate students. For more information, please stop by the Financial Aid Office, McClain Hall 103. Applications must be submitted by May 15.

The creators of the “Student Award Search Aid” website are offering a $1,000 scholarship for 2012. To learn more, visit www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm. Deadline for application is May 28.

The BigSun Organization is offering a $500 scholarship. All student-athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of sport. Deadline for submission is June 22. To learn how to apply, visit www.bigsunathletics.com.

The GP LSAT Prep Scholarship is available to students interested in applying to law school. One or more grants of $1,000 are awarded twice yearly (Jan. 30 and June 30). To apply, use the “contact us” form at www.getprepped.com/net to request the application packet.

The James “Rhio” O’Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund is offering its scholarship again this year to all college students. The scholarship awards are based on an essay contest with the subject concerning cancer. The scholarships amounts are $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. Students can receive more information and request an application packet at www.cancermonthly.com/scholarship.asp.

AES Engineers will continue to provide $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 in answer to one of the two questions that are posted online at www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm. Deadline for entry is Oct. 5.

Currently enrolled undergraduate college students are eligible to apply for the Foreclosure.com 2012 Scholarship Program. Students may go to www.foreclosure.com/scholarship to find out how to be entered to win one of five scholarships by writing an essay on stimulating the US housing market. Top prize is $5,000, second through fifth place will receive $1,000 each. Deadline to enter is Dec. 1.

Wells Fargo is offering 40 $1,000 scholarships. Twenty will be awarded to high school students and twenty to college students through a random drawing throughout the year. Apply on line at wellsfargo.com/collegesteps for chance to win.

Activity: Badminton-Doubles
Division: Open
Deadline: Feb. 23
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: Feb. 25

Activity: Volleyball
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: March 5
Captains’ Meeting: Feb. 29
Play Begins: March 12

Activity: Co-Rec Volleyball
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: March 5
Captains’ Meeting: Feb. 29
Play Begins: March 12

Activity: Outdoor Soccer
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: March 5
Captains’ Meeting: Feb. 29
Play Begins: March 12

Activity: Co-Rec Outdoor Soccer
Division: Open
Deadline: March 5
Captains’ Meeting: Feb. 29
Play Begins: March 12

Activity: NCAA March Madness
Division: Open
Deadline: March 14
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: March 15

Activity: Swim Meet
Division: Open/Org/Greek
Deadline: March 29
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: April 5

Activity: Co-Rec Ultimate Frisbee
Division: Open
Deadline: April 2
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: April 14-15

Activity: Golf Scramble
Division: Open/Greek/Org
Deadline: April 10
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: April 17

Activity: Punt Pass & Kick
Division: Open/Greek/Org
Deadline: April 10
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: April 17

Activity: Track Meet
Division: Open/Greek/Org
Deadline: April 12
Captains’ Meeting: N/A
Play Begins: April 19

All information, rules and registration requirements are online at recreation.truman.edu/intramuralrec.asp, or contact the Intramural Office at 785.4467. Captains’ Meeting is at 4:30 p.m. in the SRC Conference Room.

The observatory will host an open house from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 21 at the University Farm. The alternate date for poor weather is Feb. 22. For more information visit observatory.truman.edu.

National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day, sponsored by the Student Recreation Center, will be 12-3 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Student Union Building Hub. Free Freshens smoothie samples, massages, BMI testing and health and wellness information will be available.

Wind Symphony I will perform a concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

The Spring Global Issues Colloquium continues with “Y Ahora Aquí en el Norte” (“And Now Here in the North”) at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Violette Hall 1000. The Colloquium will feature Axel Fuentes, field organizer at the Center for New Community.

All four of Truman State University’s large premiere music ensembles will unite for a rare joint appearance at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. Featured will be: the Truman Brass Choir, conducted by Gregory Jones; Cantorial, conducted by Mark Jennings; Wind Symphony, conducted by Dan Peterson; and the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sam McClure. The concert is free and open to the public.

Wind Symphony II and Concert Band will perform a concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 29 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) will host its monthly meeting at 12 p.m. March 1 in Student Union Building 3201. Contact Marc Becker at marc@truman.edu or call 785.6036 for more information.

The University Orchestra concert will take place at 8 p.m. March 1 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.