What is the foundation? The Truman State University Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1980 which encourages, accepts, and administers private financial support designated for the benefit of Truman State University and its students.   Who can contribute? Each year thousands of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations and friends offer their financial support for the benefit of Truman State University.   What does our support provide? Contributions provide support for student scholarships and loans, faculty development, cultural activities, guest lecture stipends, academic divisions, athletics, and a variety of other campus-wide needs.   How do I get more information? Office of Alumni and Development (660) 785-4133 (800) 452-6678

Distinguished Alumnus Endows Scholarship A respected educator and alumnus of Truman State University has established an endowed scholarship through the Truman State University Foundation. The late Henry M. Boucher ('31) created the Henry M. and Madeline A. Boucher Scholarship through his estate. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a junior or senior student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service. Boucher had a long and distinguished career in education beginning in New Mexico, after his graduation, where he served as a teacher and administrator. He later returned to Missouri as superintendent of schools at Harris. From there he moved to the Memphis and Kahoka, Mo., school districts where he also served as superintendent. Boucher was appointed to the University's Board of Regents serving from 1959 through 1963. He left the Board when he was asked to become Truman's first Dean of Student Affairs, a position he held until 1972. Members of the Truman fraternity system will long remember Henry Boucher for his efforts to promote leadership within the Greek system. For more than two decades, he sponsored the Henry M. Boucher Award which was presented annually to the University's outstanding fraternity member, chosen from among representatives of each chapter. A plaque and scholarship were given to the recipient. Boucher's late wife, Madeline Mien ('31), was also a graduate of Truman State University. She, too, was a long-time educator, serving as a high school English and art teacher and an elementary art teacher. The first recipient of the Henry M. and Madeline A. Boucher Scholarship will be chosen for the 1998-99 academic year. Scholarships Established to Support Students Studying Abroad Two scholarships were recently established that will provide financial assistance to Truman students to broaden and enhance their education through a study abroad experience: The Victor E. Childers International Study Award will annually support a Truman student enrolled in a study abroad course for University credit. The student must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the award. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Dr. Victor E. Childers ('55). Dr. Childers, a retired professor of international business at Indiana University, has lived and traveled overseas in connection with a variety of projects and assignments. In discussing the establishment of the award, Childers remarked, "my own international experiences greatly expanded my horizons and increased my awareness of the world. I wanted to encourage and facilitate such experiences for Truman students." The Castello Banfi Italian Study Abroad Scholarship was recently established at Truman through the support of Castello Banfi, a premier winery in Montalcino, Tuscany. An award will be made annually to a Truman student who has been accepted to a study abroad course in Italy or an intensive Italian off-campus course. Patrick Lecaque, Truman's Director of the Center for International Education Abroad, offered thanks and praise for the gifts, "A study abroad experience provides students with a tremendous perspective on another culture as well as a new perspective on their own culture and values. Unfortunately, the cost of study abroad makes such programs out of the reach of many of our students. These new scholarship funds will address a critical need and will provide wonderful opportunities for our students." The number of Truman students studying abroad has grown from 60 in 1990 to 309 in 1996. (See story in "Around the Quad" ) Linnea Ratcliff Scholarship If you had spent 28 years as a college professor helping young people to hone their communications skills, what would you want to do in retirement? Well, if you're Linnea Ratcliff you would choose to continue to help and encourage Truman students. Linnea L. Ratcliff, Ph.D., came to Truman in 1969 and retired this past year as professor emeritus of communication. Along the way she aided hundreds of students to become more effective communicators. She also served the Truman community as a member of a number of committees, including the Commission to Study the University Name, which led to the University's name change, and as Marshal for commencement ceremonies since 1992. She was a devoted member of the Truman faculty, but when Ratcliff retired she felt she needed to do more to help students, so in the fall of 1997, she chose to endow a scholarship. The Linnea L. Ratcliff Scholarship will provide financial support for students pursuing a degree in communications. "Truman State University, my colleagues and particularly the students were a major part of my life," Ratcliff said. "Establishing this scholarship was an expression of thanks to the University community, but more importantly, it provided me with the opportunity to continue to serve students." The Ratcliff Scholarship will be awarded for the first time in the fall of 1998. In addition to preference given to communications majors, eligible recipients must have earned sophomore status and demonstrated a record of academic and extracurricular achievement. Garry Gordon, vice president for academic affairs, was delighted at the news of Ratcliff's scholarship. "Linn is a wonderful example of the depth and breadth of faculty we have at Truman," Gordon said. "She was always dedicated to her students and the University. This scholarship is a reflection of that dedication ­ allowing her to continue to help Truman students. We are very grateful for this generous gift." Dr. Ratcliff is enjoying her retirement in Jefferson City, Mo., where she resides with her husband, Meredith. For years to come she will enjoy watching students benefit from her scholarship and the education they gain at Truman State University. Five Added to Foundation Board of Directors By vote of the Truman State University Foundation Board of Directors, five additional members were recently added to the Foundation Board. The Foundation Board of Directors provides leadership for Truman's efforts to attract private gifts and ensure good stewardship of these resources. The additions are part of a plan recently approved by the Board that will add up to a total of 15 new Foundation Board members in 1998. Two members of the University's Board of Governors and the University President will continue to serve on the Foundation Board. Currently, the Foundation Board is comprised of voting members of the Board of Governors and the University President. The five new members, all of whom have a long history of service and commitment to Truman, include Walker Allen, Doris (Pickens) Bohon, Charles Foudree, Larry Lunsford, and Donald Scriven. Jack Magruder, president of the Foundation Board, expressed his delight with additions to the Foundation Board of Directors: "We are deeply grateful that these persons have agreed to provide their talents and resources in support of the University. They will play a critical role in Truman's on-going efforts to attract additional private support of the University." The five will serve a three-year term which began January 1, 1998. Walker W. Allen ('39, business education) of Columbia, Mo., is retired. He served in the military from 1942-46. He then worked at Fisher Governor Co., in Marshalltown, Iowa, where his duties included auditor, assistant controller and office manager. In 1969 he began working for the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Mo. He worked there as assistant director and chief financial officer until April of 1973 when he became associate director of the Medical Center. He retired in 1988. Mr. Allen and his wife, Doris, have two children, Pinney Lee Allen and William D. Allen. Doris (Pickens) Bohon ('43, business education) is a Kirksville resident. She served on the Greenwood Elementary School PTA, is a Girl Scouts Leader and the Becky Thatcher Girl Scouts Council President. Bohon is very active in the Presbyterian Church where she serves as an elder deacon, a Sunday school teacher and a church officer. In 1982, she received the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" Award. She continues to be active in the community. Bohon considers the opportunity to serve on the Foundation Board as a way to, "promote and enhance Truman nationwide [to allow] more high school graduates, who have the desire and can meet the requirements, to be able to attend the University." Charles M. Foudree ('66, accounting) serves as executive vice president of Harmon Industries. He was recently recognized for serving Harmon Industries for 25 years. Prior to working at Harmon Industries he was employed by Peat Marwick for six years. He was recently appointed to the Truman Library Institute Board of Directors. In 1995 Foudree served as Truman's Business Division's Executive-in-Residence. While a student at Truman, he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma, Alpha Phi Omega, Blue Key, Young Democrats and Alpha Phi Sigma. He still has a strong association with Sigma Tau Gamma. He and his wife, Colleen, reside in Lee's Summit, Mo., and have two children, Melanie and Charles Mark. Larry A. Lunsford ('81, accounting) of Overland Park, Kan., serves as the vice president of finance for Bernstein-Rein Advertising, Inc., in Kansas City, Mo. Lunsford served as president of the Kansas City Chapter of the Truman National Alumni Association (NAA) in 1992 and on the Truman NAA Board of Directors from 1993-1997. This past fall, Larry acted as the Grand Marshall for the 1997 Homecoming Parade. He is currently the president of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club and has served on its Board of Directors for six years. He is also a board member for Variety Club, a children's charity organization. From 1989-1995, Lunsford served as treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Foundation for the Heart of America. He and his wife, Jill, have two children, Trent and Cara. Donald D. Scriven ('50, business education) of DeKalb, Ill., is retired. He served as the business department chairman at Northern Illinois University. Prior to that he served as coordinator of data processing and accounting instructor for the NIU College of Business. In 1974, Dr. Scriven was named co-winner of the 1974 Data Educator of the Year Award. He currently serves on the Northern Illinois University Foundation Board of Directors.

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