Kohlenberg Lyceum Series Features Vienna Boys’ Choir

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Vienna Boys' ChoirThe world-famous Vienna Boys’ Choir will take the stage at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in Baldwin Auditorium for the next installment of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

Based in Austria, the Vienna Boys’ Choir is composed of sopranos and altos between the ages of nine and 14. They perform for nearly 500,000 people each year. The ensemble is a modern-day descendant of the boys’ choirs of the Viennese Court dating back to the late Middle Ages. This performance will include Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, Christmas hymns and holiday carols. For six centuries, these young singers have been adored the world over for their lively style and beautiful tone.

The Lyceum Series is fully funded through the University Foundation and tickets for the 2024-25 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, the Friends of the Lyceum. Gifts to the Lyceum Series Fund support one of the University’s oldest traditions and continue to bring extraordinary performances to Truman’s campus each year.

For more information about the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, visit lyceum.truman.edu or contact the Advancement Office at 660.785.4133 or LyceumSeries@truman.edu.

Alumni Spotlight – Jules Price (’14)

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Jules PriceJules Price is a 2014 graduate of Truman State University, with her BS in Linguistics and Psychology. During her time at Truman, she worked as a Student Advisor, a Community Coordinator, as well as being a part of the Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, and the dance group TSODA.

As of July 2024, Jules has served as the St. Louis Chapter Representative on the Alumni Board, and prior to that the St. Louis Alumni Chapter Vice President. Currently, Jules works as Assistant Manager at The Resale Shop, NCJWSTL.

Jules also has a love for photography, travel, reading, yoga, and hiking, as well as being a member of the Missouri Botanical Garden and a season ticket holder at the Muny.

Jules shares the advice that it is important to ask for help when you need it. As a transfer student, she had a rough time out of state prior to coming to Truman. It is a journey learning to ask for help, and Jules emphasizes wanting to normalize seeking assistance in everything, including mental health and skill building.

Local Lowdown – FLATS Half Marathon

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FLATS Half Marathon

The fourteenth annual Forest Lake Area Trail System (FLATS) annual half-marathon is coming up on October 5, 2024. The 13.1 mile course features gorgeous views, trekking from the Thousand Hills State Park Marina along the shores of Forest Lake. The course finishes at beautiful Jackson Stables, the site for a post-race celebration. The race is a fundraiser for the Forest Lake Area Trail System. With the help of volunteers, FLATS is responsible for much of the maintenance of the trails in Thousand Hills State Park, preventing overgrowth and keeping them clear for public use.

Established in 2016, FLATS is a non-profit organization with the mission of developing a multi-use trail between the city of Kirksville and Thousand Hills. Formed by a volunteer group of citizens, FLATS is working closely with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Thousand Hills State Park, The National Park Service, the City of Kirksville, Adair County, area service organizations and the Kirksville community to develop plans for this trail. The long-term goal is to show the community that Thousand Hills is closer than you think.

Beyond raising funds to continue trail projects, the FLATS half-marathon serves as an opportunity to have fun outdoors, learn about yourself and get physical activity. Trails also have an important role in a community by drawing people into the community from out of town.

The FLATS half-marathon is a fantastic opportunity for alumni to return to Kirksville and join the community for a good cause. You can still sign up for the race and find more information about it at http://www.kvflats.org/events/

Alumni Spotlight – Dawn Tartaglione (’90)

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Dawn TartaglioneThe 2024 Alumna of the Year to be honored as a part of the Homecoming Celebration is 1990 graduate Dawn (Wellington)  Tartaglione.

Dawn grew up in Maryville, MO, the oldest of four children with loving parents Ron and Peggy Wellington. She was grateful to be a Pershing Scholar and loved being the piano accompanist for NEMO Singers. She enjoyed Gamma Phi Delta, a local NMSU sorority, and was one of the founding members of the Theta Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi. She worked in periodicals in the library and in Dr. Cornell’s lab doing brain and liver surgery on rats and mice. These opportunities prepared her well for medical school, and she graduated from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1995. She then went on to become the first female osteopathic physician to become a neurosurgeon, completing her residency in Detroit, MI in 2001 through Michigan State University.

While in Kirksville, she met her husband of 32 years, Andrew Tartaglione. On many occasions through the years, they have worked together in operating rooms with Andrew providing anesthesia for her neurosurgery patients. Those have always been her favorite cases.

She practiced neurosurgery in Michigan and Oklahoma for 9 years each and is now in Dover, DE since late 2018 at Bayhealth. As the Medical Director of Neurosurgery and Department of Surgery Chair, she enjoys mentoring young surgeons and having a great neurosurgery team with eight clinicians.

The opportunity to serve on the Truman State University Foundation Board, including in leadership, has been one of the most fulfilling activities of her life. Spending time with University leadership, Truman alumni on the Board and with the Advancement Office leaders and staff was truly amazing.

She has enjoyed serving as President of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the American Osteopathic Foundation as well. She was honored in 2014 with the national Ursa Major award from Alpha Phi for achievements in her field.

MOLSAMP continues to provide resources for students in STEM at Truman

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Dr. Barbara Kramer, Professor of Chemistry and Director of STEM Talent Expansion Programs, was recently awarded nearly $500,000 in National Science Foundation grant money for the continuation of the Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (MOLSAMP) at Truman. MOLSAMP is specifically designed to diversify the nation’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce by increasing the number of graduates that are historically underrepresented in these disciplines. The partnership, which began in 2015, includes a coalition of public and private universities statewide: Harris-Stowe State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Lincoln University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University, Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri, St. Louis Community College Center for Plant and Life Sciences, and Truman. The end goal is to double the number of undergraduate minorities graduating in STEM in the state.

Each campus uses the grant money in a unique way, playing to their needs and strengths. Major research institutions like the University of Missouri and Washington University focus on undergraduate research and offer summer opportunities to students in the program. Truman’s focus has been on intentional academic advising and retention, and since its inception, sixty Truman students have had some active participation, and the University has seen an increase in the number of minority students in STEM degrees. The new grant will help fund more collaboration with partner institutions and provide stipends for students between $1,000 and $2,000 so that they can attend more in-person activities as well as utilize online resources.

Dr. Kramer believes the community aspect is the most valuable. Students attend workshops, conferences (on the state and national levels), and work together with other underrepresented students in STEM fields. There is also an annual Undergraduate Research Symposium sponsored by MOLSAMP where scholars from all the partner schools present their research in poster sessions. Kramer said, “Having the community that MOLSAMP builds for them is making a difference, not just at Truman but as they enter graduate school or industry.”

Local Lowdown – Whiskey and Turkey Festival

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Whiskey and Turkey FestivalFor the fourth consecutive year, Kirksville will be hosting the Whiskey and Turkey Festival on September 7 from 5-11 p.m. The festival celebrates the founding of Kirksville and has historically drawn approximately 1,000 participants. According to local legend, the name Kirksville came from tavern owner Jesse Kirk who invited surveyors to Thanksgiving dinner (with whiskey) with the caveat that they name the town after him. Homage to these roots can be seen in Whiskey and Turkey Festival events that include whiskey tastings (for patrons 21 and older) as well as turkey legs. Additional events include a cornhole tournament, bingo, food trucks, live music and exhibits from the Conservation Department and the  National Wild Turkey Federation. The event is spearheaded by the City of Kirksville Tourism Office and Mainstreet Kirksville and is sponsored by businesses throughout the community.

Bulldogs Honored for Excellence in Teaching and Advising

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Excellence in Teaching and AdvisingFive Truman alumni members of the University faculty were recently recognized for excellence in teaching and advising. Rolena Stephenson (’01) was promoted to Associate Professor of Health Science and granted academic tenure. Jay Self (’93), acting English Department Chair and Professor of Communication, was recognized with the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award. Ben Batzer (’13), Assistant Professor of English Education and Megan Batzer (’13, ’15), Clinical Instructor in Communication Disorders, were recognized with Academic Innovation Awards. And Elizabeth Wiles (’06), Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies and Assistant Professor of Justice Systems, was named Educator of the Year. All were recognized at the Fall Opening Assembly, a welcome to the new school year for the Truman Faculty and Staff which happens the afternoon of move-in day. In addition to faculty promotions and awards, the opening assembly recognizes grants awarded over $100,000, outstanding Staff members and Athletic Achievement. A special award, Points of Light, recognizes community members and organizations who have shown invaluable support and contribution to the University. This year, Bonzai, a traditional Japanese restaurant on the historic square, was recognized for their friendly atmosphere and willingness to hire Truman students.

Alumni Spotlight – Jay Self

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Jay SelfJohn W. Self (Jay) attended Truman State University (then NMSU) from 1989-1993 where he majored in Communication and fell in love with the study of language and symbols as tools of human connection and persuasion, more commonly known as rhetoric. He also met and fell in love with Beth Ann Quackenbush (now Self) during his time as a student. Jay was an RA in Dobson Hall for 2 years and worked as a DJ for a short time at KNEU, the campus radio station that only ‘broadcast’ on cable.

Jay currently holds the position of Chair of the Department of English and Professor of Communication. He used to pitch for the Truman’s professor-stacked softball team, the Homers, until his shoulder surgery during the pandemic that ended that career. Additionally, Jay enjoys watching the Royals and Chiefs, having backyard barbeques, kayaking, watching Star Wars, and performing stand-up comedy (both with and without the Truman stand-up comedy group, the UpChuckles, for which he is the faculty advisor). Most recently, Jay was honored as a 2024 recipient of the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award.

Jay says the best part of his job is interacting with students and watching them get excited to learn and expand their minds. Advice for all Bulldogs: “Don’t hold back. Try it. Do all those things that seem fun or interesting. It may work out, it may not. If nothing else, you’ll have a story.”

Alumni Spotlight – Dr. Gail Bruce Crump (’64)

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Dr. Gail CrumpDr. Gail B. Crump received a BA and a BSE in English from Truman, graduating summa cum laude in 1964. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Arkansas, where he was selected a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Crump’s academic interests are in Modern British and American Literature, particularly fiction and drama.

A native of Kirksville, Dr. Crump, his twin brother, Gary, and younger brother, Jay all attended Truman and all eventually earned doctoral degrees – something he firmly believes would not have happened had he not lived in a town with an affordable, quality University. As an undergraduate, Dr. Crump was a member of College Players, Blue Key, Alpha Phi Omega, and other organizations. The relationships he developed with faculty, particularly Dr. Jim Severns, had a profound impact on his years at Truman and his professional career.

Dr. Crump joined the Department of English at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in 1969 and taught there until his retirement in 2011. He served as chair of the Department of English and Philosophy, interim chair of the Department of Modern Languages, interim chair of the Department of Geography and Interdisciplinary Studies and associate provost. Dr. Crump is so well regarded on Central’s campus that in 2014, the Service Award of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences was renamed “The Gail B. Crump Meritorious Service Award” in his honor.

Always connected to his alma mater, Dr. Crump served six years on Truman’s Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the President’s Circle, has been actively involved in the Kansas City Alumni Chapter, and was the Distinguished Service Award recipient in 2015. In 2007, Dr. Crump created the C.V. Huenemann Lectureship in English. He was also a major contributor to the campaign for the Severn’s Theatre, honoring his teacher and mentor. A member of the Joseph Baldwin Society, in his estate plans, Dr. Crump will create the Dr. Gail Crump Scholarship Fund and a second scholarship honoring his late brother, Gary.

Jeff Romine (’74) Receives Bulldog Forever Award

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Jeff Romine AwardJeff Romine accepts the Bulldog Forever Award from Jeanne Harding (left) and Michelle Mollick, vice president and chapter president, respectively, of the Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter.

Truman’s Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter recently presented Jeff Romine with the chapter’s Bulldog Forever Award at a Rotary Club of Kirksville meeting, Dec. 6. This award recognizes individuals who truly express the Bulldog spirit through their dedication, support and involvement with both the Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter and Truman State University.

In 2022 and 2023, Romine coordinated chapter efforts with the Rotary Club of Kirksville’s Fly-The-Flag Program. Using Rotary’s existing community contacts and flagpole bases, NEMO chapter volunteers have been able to display more than 100 purple flags in conjunction with Truman’s Family Day and Red Barn Arts & Crafts Festival, Homecoming and spring graduation.