Spring 2000
Vol. 4. No. 3
Features
A Century of Progress
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Around the Quad
Faculty & Student Profiles
Foundation News
Alumni News
Sport
Notes
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Board of Governors Elects New Officers
On Feb. 5, the Truman State University Board of Governors elected new officers. Maria L. Evans ('81) assumed the position of president, and Randa Rawlins ('79) and John Briscoe were elected vice president and secretary, respectively. In other Board news, Gov. Mel Carnahan announced the appointment of Tom Jayne and the reappointment of Ruth Mach ('58) to the Board. In addition, Rudy Arredondo was appointed as the student representative to the board.
John Briscoe, Randa Rawlins ('79), Maria Evans ('81)
Evans is an assistant professor of pathology at University Hospital and Clinics in Columbia, Mo. She is also a diplomate of The American Board of Pathology in combined Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. She was appointed to Truman's Board in 1995.
Rawlins is a shareholder in the law firm of Niewald, Waldeck & Brown in Kansas City, Mo. and was appointed to the Board in December 1997.
Briscoe is a partner in the law firm of Briscoe & Mobley in New London, Mo. He was appointed to the Board in December 1997 and reappointed in January 1999.
Jayne is a partner in the law firm of Thompson Coburn in St. Louis. In addition to his law practice, Jayne serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Managers for the Central Institute for the Deaf, as well as the St. Louis Arts and Education Council Board of Directors.
Mach, a 1958 graduate of Truman, is an elementary school principal in the Clayton, Mo., School District. She was appointed to the Board in February 1995.
Arredondo is a senior chemistry major from Kansas City. He is a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, Blue Key, and Sigma Lambda Beta.
Executive-in-Residence from Sprint
Donna Morrison ('79), vice president of billing services for Sprint, visited Truman on Feb. 21-22 serving as Executive-in-Residence for the Business and Accountancy Division. While on campus, she presented lectures on several topics, such as how e-commerce is affecting the way business is conducted and what mega mergers between companies like MCI/Worldcom and Sprint mean to the business world.
Morrison graduated from Truman with a bachelor's degree in business, attended the University of Colorado Executive MBA program, and completed the AMP/ISMP program at Harvard Business School. She joined Sprint in 1989 and has led multiple projects that successfully replaced access billing and message processing capabilities. The Executive-in-Residence program was established in 1994, through the support of the IMCERA Group, in honor of Raymond Bentele, a1960 Truman graduate. Bentele retired as president and CEO of Mallinckrodt in 1992.
The Executive-in-Residence program offers Truman students and faculty the opportunity to interact with executives who are invited to campus to share their experiences through lectures and discussions.
Truman Professor Receives Governor's Award
Randy Hagerty, associate professor of political science, received special recognition during the Governor's Conference on Education in St. Louis on Dec. 9. Hagerty was one of 64 outstanding faculty members, each representing a Missouri college or university, to be recognized for his commitment to teaching excellence. Hagerty, who began teaching at Truman in 1990, was selected for his effective teaching and advising, service to the University, commitment to high standards of excellence, and success in nurturing student achievement.
Randy Hagerty (left), associate professor of political science, received the 1999 Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching from Gov. Mel Carnahan.
A Founder's Day Tradition
The Baldwin Lecture, held in honor of educator Joseph Baldwin, was presented by featured speaker Thomas Anthony Angelo on Feb. 4.
Angelo, the founding director of the assessment center at the School for New Learning at DePaul University in Chicago, was named one of the top 40 "Young Leaders in the Academy" by Change magazine in 1998.
In conjunction with Patricia Cross, Angelo pioneered research in instructor-designed classroom assessment practices. He is nationally recognized as a strong proponent of the new paradigm, which focuses on student learning and a scholarship of teaching. His emphasis harmonizes with Truman's mission statement which outlines the institution's desire to build a student-learning centered' environment.
Angelo's visit included two workshops for faculty, a discussion about Truman's assessment program, and a reception that preceded the annual Baldwin Dinner and Lecture.
Planning Continues for Renovation
and New Addition to Science Hall
In June 1999, Gov. Mel Carnahan signed into law the bill that provides a $20.5 million appropriation for the renovation and addition to Truman's science facility. Construction is set to begin in the spring, and the University is currently completing the schematic design phase."The goal is to design the new science facility so that it is departmentalized in a way that certain classrooms are close to the appropriate laboratories and offices," said Scott Ellis, head of the Division of Science. "For example, the greenhouse would be located close to the agriculture classrooms and offices. The improvements will include new classrooms, research labs, and teaching labs." The project will renovate the existing building and will add 48,000 square feet, resulting in a facility that is double in size at 97,000 square feet. Ellis says the plan is to make the additions appear seamless, as with the renovations of Pickler Memorial Library, where new additions were also added to the existing facility.
Construction of the science facility is scheduled to be completed in 2002. The total cost will exceed $24 million, including $1.5 million in planning funds and $2.4 million in matching funds from Truman. The completed project will house all science education functions in a single facility.
Celebrating Black History Month
In February, Dwyane Smith ('84) ('91), former assistant dean of Multicultural Affairs at Truman, returned to campus to help celebrate Black History Month. Honoring historical contributions of black Americans, Black History Month has been celebrated on campus for a number of years. On Feb. 7, Smith presented his lecture ³Unspoken Legacies: The Higher Education of African-Americans in America Prior to the 1900s,² which focused on the history of black education in the United States.
This year, a special event was added to the celebration. On Feb. 17, a one-hour documentary was moderated by Sylvia Macauley, assistant professor of history. Macauley examined how an African song was used to trace the roots of Mary Morna from her home in Narris Neck, Ga. to Africa, nearly two centuries after the song was brought to the United States by African slaves.
Social Science Division Head to Retire
James Lyons, head of the Division of Social Science at Truman, announced his retirement affective July 2000. Lyons joined the psychology faculty at Truman in 1972 and was an early architect of Truman's award-winning student-outcomes assessment program. Along with former president Charles McClain, he wrote the book In Pursuit of Degrees with Integrity: A Value Added Approach to Undergraduate Assessment.
Lyons also helped guide the Social Science Division during a period of significant growth and transformation. In 1979, there were 28 full-time faculty and 650 student majors. Today, there are nearly three times as many faculty and twice as many students.
During his year as division head, Lyons served on the Faculty Senate, the Undergraduate Council, the Graduate Council, and the Council on Teacher Education. He served on steering committees for the University's North Central accreditation reviews in 1974, 1984, and 1995, and on numerous task forces and committees.
"It has been an uncommon privilege, and a joy, to have been associated with the Division and the University for more than 28 years," Lyons said. "People at Truman have brought great richness to my life. I look forward to many years of continuing friendships."
Garry Gordon, vice president for academic affairs, announced that Seymour Patterson, professor of economics, has accepted the position of interim division head.
Students Spending Semester in Missouri State Capital
This semester, several Truman students are interning at the Missouri State Capital in Jefferson City, Mo. as part of the University's Government Internship Program. During the spring semester, each intern will receive a $2,200 stipend, and will be assigned to public officials based on compatibility and interests.
Front row, left to right: Todd Billy, Laura Crandall, Michael Branson, Matthew Heeren, Erin Wood, Joy Jackson, Barbara Perell, Joy Waguespack, and James Howard. Middle row, left to right: Douglas Becker, Shane Duggin, Joel Leman, Dawn Colnaghi, Franita Smith, and President Jack Magruder. Back row, left to right: Stephen Wilke, Michael Patton, Carlos Perez, Ryan Brueckmann and Kurt Bubalo. (Not pictured, Lisa Ambrosia.)
State Farm Executive Delivers Commencement Address
Yolanda Holmes, human resources manager for State Farm Insurance in the Missouri region, addressed approximately 290 Truman graduates during the Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 18.
Holmes offered several words of wisdom based on her own experiences. "When it comes to time, the first thing we need to do is make time for ourselves - we live by the clock, so please make your time count," said Holmes. "Having it all doesn't necessarily mean having it all at once." She also stressed the importance of being a good listener pointing out that Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, attributed his best ideas to his clerks and to his stock people. Holmes also encouraged the graduates to try new things and to act decisively. Echoing the words of the University's namesake, Harry S. Truman, Holmes said that once you make a decision, you must keep going because you will always have another decision ahead of you. "If the decision turns out to be a mistake, don't look back. Correct the mistake with another decision and then go on - that is all you can do."
Holmes has received many professional distinctions and has served on the board of directors for several community programs, including Financial Service Professionals, Women in Transition, Eldergarden Adult Day Care Program, Habitat for Humanity, and the Youth Motivation Task Force.
The Commencement Ceremony was broadcast live on Channel 36 courtesy of KTVO.
The Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series
The Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series recently presented two of the three guests scheduled as part of this year's program. Both Keith Devlin and David Halberstam were on campus, and the third Distinguished Visiting Scholar, poet laureate Robert Pinsky, will be visiting the University this semester.Devlin began his schedule as one of Truman's Distinguished Visiting Scholars on Jan. 31 presenting his lecture, "New Geometrics of Animals, Flowers, Art and the Human Body." Devlin, the dean of the School of Science at St. Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., is also senior researcher at the Center of the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University. His research focuses on applying mathematical techniques to issues of language/information and the design of information systems. Throughout the week of Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, Devlin presented various lectures and discussions such as, "How did the brain acquire the ability to do mathematics?" Devlin, who has had 22 books published, also held a public book-signing at the Truman Bookstore.
For the spring semester, the University also welcomed accomplished journalist, historian and author David Halberstam to campus on Feb. 21 through Feb. 23. Returning to campus for the second time as part of the 1999-00 Distinguished Visiting Scholar program, Halberstam, a legendary figure in American journalism, presented lectures which included, "The Children: A Restrospective on the Civil Rights Movement," "Campaign 2000: Presidential Politics," and ³Contemporary American Foreign Policy in Bosnia.² In 1998, Halberstam released The Children, which chronicles the lives of eight young, courageous civil rights activists he met in 1960 while he was a reporter for The Nashville Tennessean.
Keith Devlin held a colloquium that was open to the public.
David Halberstam (left) returned to campus for the second time as part of the Distinguished Visiting Scholar series.
Truman Career Fair Once Again a Success
Truman State University's spring Career Expo, held on Feb. 23, was an overwhelming success. More than 160 employers and 700 students participated in the career fair, which was also open to alumni and the community.Approximately half of the recruiters coming to Career Expo are Truman graduates. Employers from a wide variety of industries attend Career Expo, including healthcare, law enforcement, government, insurance, and retail. Not only are companies interested in speaking to seniors about current full-time openings, but they are often trying to attract those interested in internships and summer jobs.
The next Career Expo will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, 2000. Students and alumni wishing to visit the career fair on that day should contact Truman's Career Center for specific information. Employers wishing to participate should contact the Career Center at (660) 785-4353 to be placed on the mailing list for further information.
Ophelia Parrish Renovations Progressing Smoothly
The mild weather in Kirksville this winter has contributed to the smooth progression of the Ophelia Parrish construction that began this past fall.Renovations have begun on the south end of Ophelia Parrish and are expected to be completed by late summer. The addition to the east side of the building is also under way. This addition will house the music and theatre department, and this part of the project should be finished in early 2001. Once the south end is complete, the classes on the north end will move into the finished wing. Construction will then begin on the north end and is expected to be completed in summer 2001.
When the Ophelia Parrish project is complete, it will house the entire Division of Fine Arts. The new facility will include art studios, practice rooms, a computer-aided design room, an art gallery, a theater, and a music performance hall. If the weather cooperates, the entire project should be completed in 2002.
Prominent French Scholar Presents Early-Vreeland Lecture
The 1999-2000 Barbara Early-Vreeland Lecturer, Luce Giard, discussed "The Great Revival of Ancient Learning in 15th Century Italy" to a broad audience on Feb. 28. Giard, who is senior researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris and a prominent scholar in Renaissance studies and history of science, is widely published in several subject areas, including Renaissance intellectual history and the history of science, contemporary French historiography, and the history of the Jesuits.The Early-Vreeland lectureship was established in 1991 by Joseph Vreeland through the Truman Development Foundation in memory of his wife, Barbara Vreeland. Graduating from Truman in 1973 magna cum laude with bachelor's degrees in history and French, Barbara Vreeland died at the age of 40.
Student Internships in Washington, D.C.
Four Truman students are spending the spring semester in the nation's capital. They are serving as interns in association with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Programs, an organization that arranges internships in the Washington, D.C. area for undergraduate students in all majors. The internships are not limited to government studies - students also have the opportunity to work in the private sector, as well as the non-profit sector.Students participating in the internships this semester are: Anne Baum, senior communication major from Webster Groves, Mo.; Melissa Derrick, sophomore French major from Davenport, Iowa; Bridget Diamond, junior anthropology/sociology major from Bettendorf, Iowa; and Kate Strobel, junior communication major from New Sharon, Iowa.
Counseling Accreditation Renewed
The Truman Counseling Program received news that three of its programs had achieved accreditation renewal. The program's school counseling, community counseling, and student affairs counseling have all earned seven-year accreditation status.Truman is the only Missouri school to have all three programs accredited. The status, which is decided by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, comes after an extensive review period of the self-study document, the visiting team's report, and Truman's response to the report.
Downtown To Take On New Look
Kirksville's downtown is already starting to look different as several buildings on the west side of the square were demolished to make way for a new six-plex movie theater. The push to revitalize the downtown area came about after a partnership was formed between the City of Kirksville, the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Downtown Improvement Committee and Truman State University. Members of the group have been meeting this past year with an architectural firm to develop a plan for the areas between downtown Kirksville and the Truman and KCOM campuses.
Based upon input from members of the Kirksville community and the assessment by the architectural firm, the proposed plan would include facade restoration, improved street lights, sidewalks, cross walks, landscaping, streetscaping and the possibility of a community center.
Initial funding for the proposed project is coming from several state and federal grants and the use of a Tax Increment Financing District. If the weather cooperates, you might be able to squeeze in a movie at the new theater when you come back for Homecoming on Oct. 20-21.
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