Notables

W. Michael Ashcraft, associate professor of religion, presented his paper, “The History of the Development of New Religions Studies in the Seventies and Eighties: Multiple New Religions, Multiple Scholars, Multiple Theories, Multiple Methods” at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Rochester, N.Y., on Nov. 5.

Janice Grow-Maienza, professor of education, with Susan Beal of the Institute for Mathematics and Science at the University of Illinois Chicago, presented an invited paper titled “Exploring Korean Mathematics” at the First International Curriculum Conference at the University of Chicago on Nov. 12. The conference, which included invited speakers brought from China, Japan, Singapore and Korea, was sponsored by the NSF-funded Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum, a consortium made up of mathematics educators from the University of Missouri, the University of Chicago, Western Michigan University and Michigan State University.

Erin Palmer, Centennial Hall student adviser and a sophomore psychology and justice systems double major from Kansas City, Mo., presented a diversity program and facilitated discussion titled, “Angry Eye,” at a recent conference for Residence Hall Leaders, the Midwest Association of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH). She received the award of Top 10 Program, out of nearly 100 programs.

Thomas Trimborn, professor of music, will be signing his book “Encounters with Lincoln: Images and Text” Dec. 8. The book includes 31 of the author’s unique portraits, tells the Lincoln story from an artist’s point of view, combining art, music, poetry and the historical record. Contact Trimborn at trimborn@truman.edu for more information about his upcoming book signing.

April Carter, a senior exercise science major from Carthage, Mo.; Breena Helle, a senior exercise science major from Williamsburg, Iowa; Nicole Helle, a senior exercise science major from Williamsburg, Iowa; and Dorothy Matta, a junior exercise science major from Quincy, Ill.; received the Patricia McSwegin Research Award for their project titled “Differences in Cardiovascular Efficiency Between Heel-toe Running and the Pose Technique.” This award is to be given to the student researcher(s) with the best presentation at the Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance convention. They received the award Nov. 13 during the convention at Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. The four researchers were mentored by Alex Koch and Michael Bird, both associate professors of exercise science.

The Truman State University Mock Trial team attended the Quincy Invitational Tournament. Truman took two squads. One squad finished the tournament with a record of 2-2, while the other squad won one of four games. Rachael Spavone, a senior political science major from Springfield, Ill., and Megan Pfister, a senior psychology major from St. Louis, won awards for best witness. Bryan Gelecki, a sophomore political science and justice systems double major from Papillion, Neb., won an award for best attorney.

Several Truman staff were honored at an Upper Midwest Region of the Association for College and University Housing Officials. Joshua Lemmer, residence life area coordinator, and Michael Houlahan, Centennial Hall director, received the award of a Top Five Program out of 132 total programs, for their program titled, “The FRED Factor.” Andrea O’Brien, director of residence life, won the award of Best Overall Newsletter Submission for 2005, with her article, “A ‘Real’ Job.” O’Brien was also voted into a two-year term in the executive office position of secretary for UMR-ACUHO. Mark Lowry, Grim Hall/Apartments director, was elected to chair a committee on environmental, safety and physical change for one year.