Truman Week Alumni Spotlight – Kerrion Dean (’20, ’25)

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Kerrion Dean

On August 13, new Truman students move to campus. Their introduction to campus is Truman Week, a long-standing tradition that introduces them to the social and academic aspects of campus life. This month’s Alumni Spotlight doubles as a Q&A with alumnus and Truman staff member Kerrion Dean (’20, ’25) who serves on the Truman Week planning committee.

Q: What are the main goals of Truman Week?

The main goal of Truman Week is to create community and a sense of belonging for the incoming class. We achieve this by introducing them to the Truman culture, helping familiarize them with campus and providing ample opportunity to connect with their peers, faculty and staff within and outside of their areas of academic focus.

Q: Describe the academic component?

In the past, Truman Week has included a shared reading or major specific coursework, but in recent years we’ve moved away from those requirements. The new students do get an introduction to their First-Year Seminar. Here they can meet their department faculty and classmates they will be working with throughout the semester. There are also a few assessments and modules that students can complete prior to arriving on campus that are offered in Brightspace (the student portal). These aren’t directly tied to their academic coursework but do provide them with important resources.

Q: What is the College Cup?

The College Cup is THE tool for residence hall comradery. Throughout Truman Week there are a plethora of opportunities for students to explore, mingle and connect. As they do so, they also get the chance to collect points for the College Cup. Each student can do this through things like exploring campus, participating in community service or head-to-head competitions. The entire Residence Hall is a team, and together the students work to show who’s the best and has the most spirit. The various opportunities for participation also come with their own trophy. So not only are they vying for the big College Cup trophy, but they are competing to win each subevent as well. And woven into the fabric of the whole College Cup is the unifying spirit of being a Bulldog.

Q: What are some of the activities that involve the whole campus community?

There are meals and receptions where students, faculty and staff get a chance to hold conversation and find their niches. There are competitions like Ridiculous Relays and Name that Tune. There are informative sessions where faculty and staff introduce valuable campus resources and help the new students become more comfortable with the academic path they have chosen. The Truman Lecture is an awesome time. Residence Advisors are there in each hall guiding and supporting and accompanying each student through this time as well.

Q: What are the big social events?

There’s the Ice Cream Social that happens outside the Student Union and introduces the recent Truman Tradition of dancing in the fountain. The Office of Community Enrichment hosts a few opportunities for affinity groups like First-Generation students to come together and build community. And each College Cup event provides space for students to grab their hallmates and dive into the festivities together.

Q: What is the most important thing about Truman Week for new students?

You only get one Truman Week, so do everything that you can and do your best to remember it all. Every activity you get to be a part of, every person that you’ll meet, every feeling of nervousness, excitement and even homesickness, is all important. They allow you to be present and plugged in to this new chapter of your life. And when the time comes for you to graduate, those things will show you just how much you’ve grown and accomplished.

Q: Things have changed over the years, but some things remain the same – what is your favorite Truman Week tradition?

I would have to say the College Cup is my favorite tradition. My first year at Truman I lived in Dobson Hall, and during Truman Week I was on our Lip Sync team. Choreography is not my forte, but I did it. I had a blast, and winning first place in that category was the icing on the cake!

To the Last Ta-Da! – Musical Piece Honors Dan Peterson

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Dan “Pete” Peterson’s baton is legendary. He was Director of Bands at Truman for 36 years, and throughout that time his ensembles were consistently featured at numerous regional and national conventions. He was elected to the Missouri Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and continues to work with bands as a clinician, consultant and drill designer to this day. To commemorate his illustrious career, To The Last Ta Da! was commissioned by a group of former students and friends to honor Peterson’s nearly 50 years in music education.

The surprise effort was organized by Brad Hudson, Kirksville High School Director of Bands and partially funded through the Foundation’s Truman Band Fund. Other contributors included Brad Balog (’98, ’00, ’01), Professor Tony Falcone, Dr. Tim Oliver (’93, ’95, ’96), Professor Troy Peterson (’87) and the current Director of Bands at Truman, Dr. Curran Prendergast to honor a man known for his endless dedication to his students and the world of music education. The piece was premiered and presented to Peterson on Monday, April 28th in Baldwin Auditorium by the combined Kirksville High School Symphonic Band and Truman’s Wind Symphony I and conducted by Peterson’s son, Troy, a Kirksville High School and Truman graduate.

“Ta Da” was a well-known phrase among his students and bands. “My Dad used ‘Ta Da’ to share the joy of progress and celebrate great work. In rehearsals, when the band reached a high point or performed exceptionally well, ‘Ta Da’ acted as praise and a sign of pride in their achievement,” said Troy Peterson. This work is a fitting tribute to Peterson’s legacy.

Alumni Spotlight – Ron Gaber (’82)

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Ron and Elsie Gaber

 

Ron Gaber (’82) has been a long-time Kirksville community servant and educational leader. He kicked off his impressive career in higher education as a hall director at Ball State University immediately after completing his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. That background in Residence Life brought him to Truman (then Northeast Missouri State University) where he was the Director of Housing and earned his Specialist in Education Administration degree. After more than a decade at Truman, Gaber went on to hold a variety of roles at A.T. Still University/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine including Associate Professor, Associate Dean, and finally Vice President for Student Affairs. Throughout his career he has greatly enjoyed writing and research but especially enjoyed working directly with students and advising student organizations.

Gaber was a major influence in supporting, encouraging and recognizing student involvement in the Residence Halls and he was instrumental in providing leadership opportunities for students through the Residence Hall Association, hall government and student volunteerism. In recognition of his contributions to Truman’s Residence Life, the Gaber Achievement Award Scholarship has been awarded annually to a student actively involved in Truman Residence Life. He retired from ATSU in 2012 but stays busy in the Kirksville community. He is extensively involved with Kirksville Rotary and also enjoys the great outdoors – hunting, fishing and farming recreationally. Throughout all his years in student service, his greatest piece of advice is to marry someone as outstanding as his wife, and fellow Truman alum, Elsie (’87).

100th Anniversary of Pickler Memorial Library

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Pickler Memorial Library In 1924, Old Baldwin Hall burnt to the ground, taking the library with it. Devastatingly beyond saving, everyone agreed that the library needed to be rebuilt first, even though it meant sacrificing classroom space that Old Baldwin used to house.

An alumnus of first graduating class of 1870 and former faculty member, Samuel M. Pickler, made generous donations to fund the building and furnishing of the new library. The library was named Pickler Memorial Library in his honor.

One hundred years ago in 1925, the construction of Pickler Memorial Library was completed. Only a third of the new building was needed for library purposes at first, but by the mid-60s, the building was bursting at the seams. Several additions followed, the first in the mid-60s and again in the late 80s.

In 1993, the renovation of the Pickler Memorial Library we all know and love came to an end. Old and new were joined together by wrapping the historic 1925 structure into the new space. The exposed brick throughout the building reveals the shell of the library built 100 years ago.

Photographs and historical information courtesy of Special Collections and University Archives, Pickler Memorial Library. Explore more of Pickler’s fascinating history. 

 

 

2025 Alumni & Friends Book Club

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Alumni & Friends Book Club The sixth annual Alumni & Friends Book Club will feature Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Truman alumna Kathleen Sheppard (’01).

The history of Egyptology often focuses on male archaeologists seizing precious artifacts for their competing homelands. But that is only half of the story. Women in the Valley of the Kings highlights more than eleven women whose work in Egypt laid the groundwork for future exploration. Women in the Valley of the Kings shows how a group of courageous women charted unknown territory and changed the field of Egyptology forever. The book was reviewed in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and was chosen by Goodreads readers as the sixth best non-fiction book of 2024

Dr. Kathleen Sheppard graduated from Truman with a degree in sociology and anthropology and is currently a professor of history at Missouri S&T, in Rolla, Missouri. Her main research interest is the work of women in Egyptology and telling these amazing stories to anyone who will listen. Discussion of the book will be held on the Alumni & Friends Facebook Group page and will conclude with a virtual conversation with the author in July. To learn more about this year’s Alumni & Friends Book Club, email bulldogforever@truman.edu

Alumni Spotlight – Christopher Best (’00, ’03)

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Christopher Best The May Alumni spotlight features one of many impressive Bulldog educators in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5 – 9). Christopher Best, originally from Kahoka, MO, is currently the principal of Kirksville High School in Kirksville, MO. On July 1, he will assume duties in a new role as the Kirksville School District’s Assistant superintendent. In his role, he finds joy in helping create opportunities and growth. Particularly as someone who directly experienced the social mobility provided by public education, he is happy to have the opportunity to make the same possible for others.

One of the ways that Christopher and other education alumni help provide this experience to current Truman students is through partnership with Truman’s Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program. Truman finds meaningful collaboration with schools that provide MAE students with hands-on experience in diverse rural and small-town settings in which they foster practical teaching skills, cultural competence and a deep understanding of the local educational landscape. In turn, our school partners benefit from the fresh perspectives, energy and instructional support that Truman students bring. This mutually supportive model strengthens the region’s education system and ensures Truman graduates are well-prepared to meet the needs of today’s classrooms and be leaders in their schools.

On the personal side, Christopher has aspirations of visiting all 30 Major League Stadiums. With eight to go, his goal is in reach! This goal mirrors one piece of advice he would give current students which is to use their time in college to get a variety of experiences and to get out of their comfort zone. So many great parts of college, according to Christopher, don’t fit within a “plan” but add experience and knowledge that will serve them in life.

Alumni Spotlight – Elizabeth Wiles (’06)

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Elizabeth Wiles Elizabeth Wiles (’06) fell in love with Truman when she attended the Joseph Baldwin Academy. Now she is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Studies and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies & Student Research at the University, where she works with students in a variety of ways. Wiles earned her undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Religion then her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law.

Wiles chairs Truman’s pre-law programming and recently organized “Tru Crime Day,” which weaved together all the strands of her work across campus. It was an interdisciplinary day of events related to crime, law and justice and brought together alumni, current students, faculty and staff as well as high school and middle school students from across the state. She organized a book club which featured eight different student-led discussions with community members and alumni from around the country. “It was so fulfilling to see the sense of community and belonging that Bulldogs cultivate wherever we are,” said Wiles. The day concluded with a Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series event featuring Anthony Ray Hinton, author of The Sun Does Shine.

Wiles was named one of Truman’s Educators of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year and was also awarded the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award for the 2019-2020 school year. She continues to support students who are passionate about all facets of Truman’s rich, liberal arts and sciences curriculum. She said, “I fell in love with this place pretty much at first sight. I have always felt at home here. However, if you would’ve asked me back when I was in college where I would end up, I don’t think I would’ve guessed that I would have been so lucky to end up teaching here.”

Foundation Celebration Celebrates the Impact of Philanthropy

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On April 5, Truman’s annual Foundation Celebration will recognize the tremendous impact of the University Foundation and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the General John J. Pershing Scholarship. Additionally, two presidential awards will  be presented.

Mastercard  A philanthropic partner for Truman, Mastercard, will be presented with the Distinguished Corporation/Foundation Award. Mastercard encourages employees to engage with their community while building a purpose-driven workforce. In addition to the company’s variety of community engagement opportunities across the globe, employees in the U.S. have 40 hours/5 days each year for volunteering. Some Truman alumni at Mastercard have dedicated these hours to supporting student recruitment, school support and engagement, on-campus and remote speaking opportunities to classes and clubs as well as serving as mentors and judges for the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. innovation pitch competition and serving on the various boards that support the University. Alumni working at Mastercard have also served as Bentele-Mallinckrodt scholars and as speakers on the topics of business and cybersecurity in the annual Tru-Biz Business Forums.

Ann Covington Ann Covington will be recognized with the President’s Leadership Award. Along with her late husband, Charles J. McClain, President emeritus of Truman, Covington has generously given her time, talent and treasure to the University. She is a member of all of Truman’s most prestigious giving societies: the John R. Kirk Society, the Joseph Baldwin Society and the President’s Circle. She also continues to support the Charles J. McClain Foundation Scholarship and the General John J. Pershing Scholarship. Recognized by the American Bar Association as one of the Women Trailblazers in the Law, Covington was the first woman to serve on the Missouri Court of Appeals, the first woman appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court and the first woman to be named chief justice.

Additionally, the event will feature student speakers and performers and gives donors to scholarships the opportunity to meet with the recipients of their scholarship.

Student Volunteers Provide Free Tax Assistance

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VITA

For more than 40 years, student volunteers have provided free tax filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The service is provided by Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor organization for financial information students and professionals and supervised by Truman graduate teaching research assistants and accounting faculty. Certified by the IRS, volunteers for VITA are often accounting majors. This activity is a great opportunity to put classroom learning into action while meeting a community need.

In the past five years, VITA has filed more than 1,600 returns for refunds totaling over $400,000. Those with a gross income of under $67,000 are eligible for the service. More information about making a VITA appointment is available here.

Alumni Spotlight – Greg Bellville (’07)

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Greg Bellville Greg Bellville, a 2007 Truman grad, is currently the Vice President of Mission at Make-A-Wish Iowa. The Make-A-Wish Foundation aims to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. As Vice President, Bellville plays an important role in advancing the foundation’s goals and encouraging volunteerism. In addition to his service through Make-A-Wish, he has spent time volunteering to coach basketball and football, as well as an interscholastic mountain bike team. Bellville has served on several boards and committees, including the St. Catherine of Siena Parish Council, Central Iowa Trail Association and boards and committees for child abuse prevention.

Bellville studied psychology during his time at Truman, earning his Bachelor of Science. He also spent time involved with Dobson Radio. He received Truman’s Echo 25 in 2023, an award that recognizes 25 outstanding alumni under the age of 40.

Bellville and his family aim to visit all of Iowa’s State Parks and rank them in a database. They enjoy any activity that gets them outside: camping, mountain biking, hiking and snowboarding. He gets much of his motivation from his children. Bellville encourages current and future Bulldogs to never stop trying to improve themselves, and says that leaning into your strengths is a vital part of personal growth.