Alumni Spotlight – Mary Rhodes Russell (’80)

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Mary Rhodes Russell

Missouri Supreme Court judge Mary Rhodes Russell (’80), has been honored by the National Judicial College with the 2025 Sandra Day O’Connor Award. This award recognizes a judge or former judge who has shown extraordinary service and commitment to the cause of justice.

Judge Russell is the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Missouri since the statehood. Appointed to the Court in 2004, she is currently the longest-serving member and has served two terms as Chief Justice. Before her tenure on the Supreme Court, Judge Russell was in private practice in Hannibal and was on the Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

A 7th-generation Missourian, Judge Russell grew up on a farm near Hannibal. She graduated as valedictorian from Hannibal High School, earned summa cum laude honors from Truman State University, with a BS and BA in communication. While a student, she was actively involved in campus life, including as a staff member of The Index, Cardinal Key, Sigma Sigma Sigma and was a Pershing Scholar. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

Judge Russell was on the Board of Governors of Truman State University (1993-1997, serving as president in 1996). During her tenure, the Board voted to change the name of the University to Truman State University and hired Dr. Jack Magruder as president. In addition, she has been a member of numerous statewide boards and commissions and has been deeply involved in various legal and community organizations.

She is the recipient of many awards and honors granted by Truman, including being named Truman State University’s Alumna of the Year in 2013, the Distinguished Service in 2003 and the 2025 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal. She was also recognized by Ingram’s as one of Missouri’s 50 Missourians You Should Know and was honored as Woman of the Year by USA Today.

Judge Russell enjoys being a mentor to numerous young people and passionate advocate for civics education, regularly speaking to students and community groups to help demystify the courts.

 

Fall 2025 Education Newsletter – Note from the Department Chair

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Jocelyn Stevens

Greetings!

My name is Jocelyn Stevens, and I am the chair of the Education Department at Truman, as well as the coordinator for the music education program. In this newsletter you’ll find information about many of the exciting things that have been happening in Truman’s Education Department, including profiles of our new faculty members, the accomplishments of some impressive MAE graduates, and an exciting program for our MAE students. The tradition of excellence in teacher preparation remains strong here at Truman, and I hope you enjoy reading about a few of the reasons why!

We have expanded our MAE Advisory Board to include Dr. Howard Fields, Superintendent of the Ferguson-Florrisant School District, and Collin Davit, Director of AI and Blended Learning for the Lindbergh School District. We are continuing to seek out innovative educational leaders from across the state to ensure that our program meets the needs to students and teachers and is informed by current experiences in the field, so I welcome any suggestions of individuals we should invite to join our Advisory Board.

The faculty and staff in our department are some of the most hard-working and genuinely caring individuals I have had the pleasure to work with. We have added two wonderful new full time faculty members to our team this year, Melissa Chapman and Madeline Good (read more about them here), and our veteran faculty continue to do fantastic work. Here are a few highlights:

  • Holly Kincaid was 1 out of 10 gifted education professors from across the country selected by the National Association of Gifted Children to participate in a distinguished education delegation in Muscat, Oman where she will be speaking on the strengths and talents of twice-exceptional children.
  • Julene Ensign was recognized by MOSHAPE (Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators) as the Scholar of the Year for her excellence in research and publication. Julene had manuscript of a longitudinal study of beginning physical educators published in October in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.
  • Stacy Davis’s chapter in the book Approaches to Teaching the Works of Benito Pérez Galdós will be published by the Modern Language Association in the spring.
  • Chris Maglio was reappointed by the governor to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board and has been working at the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center to provide autism screenings.
  • Enrique Pareja, Marty Strange, and Jill Arnold have all been or continue to serve on various certification committees for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

I am regularly impressed by my colleagues for the work they do in their scholarly and service endeavors but, just like each of you, it’s the teaching in the classroom each day, the relationships they form with their students, and the way they quietly work to ensure that their students get the best educational experiences possible that is the most important work. Rest assured that the tradition of excellent teacher preparation continues to remain strong at Truman. So share that Bulldog spirit and keep in touch!

New Education Faculty Spotlight

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Melissa ChapmanMelissa Chapman has always known she wanted to be a teacher. Even as a child, she explored other career paths, but inevitably found her way back to teaching. To Melissa, teaching isn’t just something you do; it’s a fundamental part of who you are. She is grateful to have found purpose in teaching across a wide range of subjects and age levels throughout her career.

Having earned her BS in English (’00) and MAE in Elementary Education (’02) at Truman State University, Melissa always welcomed Truman students into her classroom when working in K-12 and found great fulfillment in mentoring them. Her long-time dream has been to spend a full career teaching in public education, then carry that joy forward to the university level. Melissa hopes to inspire the next generation of educators in much the same way her professors at Truman did for her.

Melissa loves the advice given by Jennifer Gonzalez: “Find your Marigold.” In other words, surround yourself with people who support you, help you grow, and help you hold onto your joy on the hard days. Teaching is not easy, but it is always worth it, and it always matters.

Outside of teaching as a professor at Truman, Melissa owns and operates a yoga studio in Kirksville called 9 Lemons Yoga.

 

Madeline GoodMadeline Good sincerely believes that access to high-quality education is part of the bedrock of our democracy and one of the most effective avenues people can take to help make our country (and the world) a more just and peaceful place. Prior to her joining our faculty at Truman, Madeline spent time teaching 3rd and 4th grade.

Although not a Truman grad herself, Madeline was drawn to Truman’s Education Department due to its small community, liberal arts focus, outstanding students and supportive faculty! After visiting the campus, she could tell it was going to be a perfect fit for her personality and professional goals.

For Truman students who aspire to be teachers, Madeline has two main pieces of advice. First, learn everything you can about classroom management throughout your coursework and when visiting classrooms and schools. It is the foundation of having a warm, welcoming and well-run classroom and can help you keep your sanity as you adjust to teaching. Second, remember that every student you have is someone’s precious child. Parents, whether consciously or not, put immense trust in their children’s schools and teachers. Because of this, being a teacher carries a great responsibility.

Outside of her time teaching, Madeline purchased an e-bike in 2024 and has put over 1500 miles on it by bringing her son to-and-from kindergarten on it.

Alumni Spotlight – Melissa Chapman (’00, ’02)

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Melissa Chapman

 

 

Melissa Chapman always knew she wanted to be a teacher. To her, teaching isn’t just something you do; it’s a fundamental part of who you are. A 2000 and 2002 graduate of Truman, she has been in the classroom for 25 years. She joined Truman’s Education Department as an Instructor in Education for the 25-26 academic year.

 

 

 

What brought you to Truman’s Education Department?
I have always welcomed Truman students into my K-12 classroom and found great fulfillment in mentoring them. My long-time dream has been to spend a full career teaching in public education, which I deeply love, and then carry that joy forward to the university level. I hope to inspire the next generation of educators in much the same way my professors inspired me.

 

What is the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received? Or if you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?
I love the advice given by Jennifer Gonzalez: “Find your Marigold.” In other words, surround yourself with people who support you, help you grow, and help you hold onto your joy on the hard days. Teaching is not easy, but it is always worth it, and it always matters.

Fun fact about yourself:
Fun fact: I’m also a yoga instructor. I own a small business called 9 Lemons Yoga.

Favorite Quote:
“I wonder if we might pledge ourselves to remember what life is really all about—not to be afraid that we’re less flashy than the next, not to worry that our influence is not that of a tornado, but rather that of a grain of sand in an oyster! Do we have that kind of patience?” Fred Rogers

Alumni Spotlight – Ryan Brennan (’95)

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Ryan Brennan

Truman’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year is Ryan Brennan. A 1995 political science graduate, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Blue Key as a student. He has served his alma mater as a member of Truman’s Foundation Board of Directors and as a Campaign Volunteer. Brennan was recognized with as Truman’s Young Alumnus of the Year in 2000. He received his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Brennan is currently a Managing Director at Advantage Capital, where he leads the firm’s efforts to foster access to capital and economic development in underserved communities. Advantage Capital has invested over $4.2 billion in small businesses throughout the country, financed the development of nearly 15,000 units of affordable housing and provided tax credit equity for 2.81GW of renewable energy projects (sufficient to provide close to 500,000 homes with clean energy).

He is a member of the Executive Committee and Compensation Committee and is a leader on the firm’s Fundraising Team and Growth Team.

Brennan was most recently Chief Operating Officer for the United States International Development and Finance Corporation (DFC), the development finance arm of the U.S. government. While at DFC, he drove the creation and adoption of the Impact Quotient (IQ), an innovative method of measuring and improving impact in projects around the world. He was a member of the DFC Investment Committee and led business development across the Western Hemisphere that facilitated billions in direct investment to Central America’s Northern Triangle.

Brennan serves on the Board of the Napa Valley College, The Foundation Board of the Gregorian University in Rome and is former President of the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley.

Bulldogs Honored for Excellence in Teaching and Advising

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SPAW awardsSeven Truman alumni members of the University faculty and staff were recently recognized for excellence in teaching and advising.

  • Jill Arnold (’98) and Elizabeth Wiles (’06) were promoted to Associate Professor and granted tenure.
  • Jeanne Harding (’92) and Violet Odzinski (’18) were the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award recipients.
  • Marianna Giovannini (’64) received the Points of Excellence Award.
  • Laci Cook (’03), owner of Sip Downtown, received the Points of Light Award, a special recognition for community members and businesses who have shown invaluable support and contribution to the University.
  • Elizabeth Wiles (’06) was recognized with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
  • Stacey Kaden (’03, ’04) was named Educator of the Year.

 

Alumni Spotlight – Larry Lunsford (’81, ’83)

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Larry LunsfordLarry Lunsford (’81, ’83) has been selected Rotary International’s president for 2027-2028. Larry’s track record of service and involvement has deep roots. As a student, Larry played both varsity basketball and baseball. Additionally, he held multiple leadership roles as a student, including Vice President of Student Senate, President of Delta Sigma Pi and a member of the Student Activities Board, Accounting Club and the Residence Hall Association. He continued his involvement with his alma mater after graduation, serving as the first president of the Alumni Board and also serving on the Foundation Board. Additionally, he received Truman’s Distinguished Service Award in 2003.

Larry’s long involvement with the Rotary includes receiving a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship. In 1982 he spent an academic year at the University of Newcastle, Australia as a beneficiary of the Rotary Foundation.  This immersion began a 42-year journey in leadership with Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation – a journey that includes 21 International Conventions, service as Governor, Director and Trustee.

Larry enjoys the opportunity to connect with his community and has always enjoyed making connections through public speaking. One speaking engagement in 1983 gave him the opportunity to connect with Jill Griffin, an audience member who introduced herself after a speech on leadership he gave on a college campus. Jill is now his wife of nearly 40 years, and they share two grown children and one grandchild. In addition to his service to Rotary International, Larry is active in his community through events such as Kansas City Spirit Festival, the Epilepsy Foundation for the Heart of America and the Variety Club. His advice to students is consistent with his passion for getting involved: “Don’t stand on the sidelines; be an active participant in the game.”

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).