Famous Novelist Named First
Distinguished Visiting Scholar
Ralph McInerny, a novelist best-known for his Father Dowling mysteries, the basis for the popular television series, visited campus as Truman's first Distinguished Visiting Scholar. The newly created program provides Truman students with the opportunity to meet a renowned scholar who has successfully extended his learning into a variety of fields, a qualification McInerny easily met. McInerny, an endowed professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he has taught since 1955, is a scholar of philosophy, literature, and medieval studies. He is a fellow of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas, and having studied St. Thomas Aquinas for more than 50 years, McInerny is an internationally recognized Thomistic scholar. He has written numerous books and articles on St. Thomas and believes that much of Aquinas's philosophy can be applied to our world today. An experienced writer, he has written almost 100 books, not counting about the same number of articles, essays and stories. McInerny lectured faculty, students, and the public on the liberal arts tradition and what is taking place at other universities. During his week-long visit in January, students had several opportunities to meet McInerny. Throughout the week, he spoke to several philosophy and literature classes on campus. Outside of the classroom, informal receptions, including a coffee and soda social, were also held, in addition to a Student Colloquium. McInerny, who has authored many scholarly books, also attended a book-signing event at the Truman Bookstore for his latest book, Lack of the Irish. In March, he is scheduled to return to the Truman campus for a week to lecture once again as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar.Photo: On campus as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Ralph McInerny discusses philosophy with student Jaime Geer.
Board of Governors
Photo: The Board of Governors officers shown left to right: Ruth Mach, vice president; Maria L. Evans, secretary; and James K. Reinhard, president. The Truman State University Board of Governor's recently elected new officers for 1999. James K. Reinhard was elected president of the Board of Governors. In addition, Ruth Mach was elected vice president, and Maria L. Evans was elected secretary. Reinhard is the owner and operator of the Agnew Funeral Home in Paris, Mo. He attended Westminster College and graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1977. Reinhard has served as the coroner of Monroe County since 1984, and was appointed to Truman's Board in 1995. Mach is the principal at Meramec Elementary School in the Clayton, Mo. School District. A 1958 graduate of Truman, Mach earned her master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her doctorate from Saint Louis University. Mach was appointed to the Board of Governors in 1995. Evans is a 1981 graduate of Truman and is an assistant professor of pathology at University Hospital and Clinics in Columbia, Mo. She received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1991, and was appointed to Truman's Board in 1995. In other Board news, Gov. Mel Carnahan announced the reappointments of John Briscoe and Wilma Maddox to the Truman State Board of Governors. Their terms will expire in 2005. Briscoe resides in New London, Mo. and is a partner in the law firm of Briscoe and Mobley. He received his bachelor's degree from Westminster College and his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition to his law practice, Briscoe serves as prosecuting attorney for Ralls County. He was appointed to Truman's Board in 1997. Maddox is the business manager for Vision Care Associates, LLC, in Macon and Moberly, Mo. A 1979 graduate of Truman, Maddox was appointed to the Board in 1994.
William O'Donnell Lee Advising Awards
Four well-deserving members of the Truman faculty and staff were presented with the William O'Donnell Lee Advising Awards. The awards were given to Sarah Phelps Delaware, assistant professor of nursing; Marianna Giovannini, academic planning services counselor; Sharon Ann McGahan, assistant professor of nursing; and Judi Misale, associate professor of psychology. Each recipient also received a $1,000 monetary award to be used for professional development. The William O'Donnell Lee Advising Award honors outstanding academic advisors from both the faculty and the staff at Truman. In recognition of the dedication and skill of exemplary advisors, the awards pay tribute to both past achievements and potential for future growth. Dr. Jeanne Lee Blackmar, of Jefferson City, Mo., established the award in memory of her late husband, William O'Donnell Lee. Lee was a member of the Northeast Missouri State University Board of Regents from 1971-1977.
Photo: Recipients
of the William O'Donnell Lee Advising Awards shown left to right: Marianna Giovannini, academic planning services counselor;
Judi Misale, associate professor of psychology; Sharon Ann McGahan, assistant professor of nursing; and Sarah Phelps Delaware, assistant professor of nursing.
Dr. Vincent Tinto presents Baldwin Lecture
Many members of the Truman community attended the Baldwin Lecture on Feb. 5. Dr. Vincent Tinto presented this year's Baldwin Lecture, an annual event held in honor of the University's founder, Joseph Baldwin. Tinto, a distinguished university professor and chair of the higher education program at Syracuse University, presented a lecture titled "Taking Student Learning Seriously." He spoke on how substantive research into student learning can be used to educate universities about learning environments or experiences which will encourage student learning. Tinto has a broad history of research on undergraduate student attainment and the impact of innovative learning environments on student learning and persistence. In his book, Leaving College: Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition, he describes his theory on how institutions effect the leaving of their students and provides policies that can enhance student retention. In addition to writing on higher education, Tinto has been involved extensively in other areas regarding the subject. He serves on the editorial boards of several journals, as well as various professional associations. In addition, he chaired the national panel responsible for awarding $5 million to establish the first national center for research on teaching and learning in higher education. He also served as associate director of the $6 million National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment funded by the Office of Education.
December Commencement
Paula Pimlott Brownlee addressed the graduates at Truman's Winter Commencement ceremony held on Dec. 19, 1998. In her speech to the graduating class, Brownlee commented on how each graduate was moving forward into the unknown. "You will embark on new journeys with less clear guides and maps, yet having the potential of being full of discovery and learning anew," said Brownlee. She advised the graduates to continue their journey of discovery, saying, "The promise and the hope of the liberal education is to go beyond the narrow focus and the well-trodden pathway." Brownlee, a native of Great Britain, recently retired as president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). Before becoming president of (AAC&U), Brownlee was president and professor of chemistry at Union College for five years and a dean and tenured faculty member in chemistry at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
Truman Ranks First in CPA Exam
Truman State University's Division of Business and Accountancy received rankings that placed the University first among first-time CPA exam test-takers in Missouri colleges and universities. This latest bracket of scores places the University above No. 2 Washington University in St. Louis. Sandra Weber, professor of accounting, credits Truman students' motivation as the key to high CPA scores. "We have good students and a strong accounting program," Weber said, "they are motivated to pass the exam." The scores, ranging from 1993 to 1997, comprise 235 exam candidates from Truman. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy reports the scores of first-time candidates sitting for the CPA exam who have bachelor's degrees. The Division of Business and Accountancy then compiled the figures into five-year brackets, comparing Truman to other public and private schools in Missouri.
NEWS BRIEFS . . .
Tuition Increase/More Computer
Networking in Residence Halls
The Truman State University Board of Governors approved a four percent increase in tuition and a five percent room-and-board increase for Missouri students. In-state tuition will be $3,544; out-of-state tuition, $6,344. Room and board costs for 1999-2000 will be $4,400. The Board also voted to provide complete networking for all residence halls next year. The networking will allow students to link to the University's computer system without using a dial-up connection.Truman Students Lead Study-Abroad Numbers
Missouri was represented in the Chronicle of Higher Education's most recent report on U.S. institutions with the largest numbers of students studying abroad. Truman State University is number 10 in the country in the master's category (highest degree offered). Nearly five percent of Truman's total enrollment participate in study-abroad programs.Health Science Program Named
Best in the Nation
For the second consecutive year, Truman's Health Science program was selected as the Professional Preparation Award recipient for an undergraduate program by the Association for Worksite Health Promotion. The award was based on several criteria, such as length of time students and/or faculty have been assigned to the curriculum, number of students graduating from the program annually, curriculum, credentials of faculty and staff, practicum experience and the curriculum and program syllabus.Chemistry Professor Receives
Award From Governor
Gov. Mel Carnahan presented associate professor of chemistry, Anne Moody, with the 1998 Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Moody was one of 62 faculty members, each representing a Missouri college or university, recognized for her commitment to excellent education for Missouri citizens. The awards were presented during the 1998 Governor's Conference on Higher Education held in Jefferson City, Mo. on Dec. 10, 1998.
Features | Around the Quad | Foundation News
Spo rts | Alumni News
Spring 1999- Vol. 3. No. 3
Features
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Joseph Baldwin
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