Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors held its first regular meeting of the 2026 calendar year this past Saturday, under the leadership of newly elected Chair William (Bill) Lovegreen.  Other officers for the calendar year are Vice Chair Jennifer Kopp Dameron and Secretary Taylor W. Burks.

The meeting included several reports.  Dr. Tim Walston, Interim Provost, presented the annual Academic Affairs Report, and Student Government President Alex Peterson and Student Government Vice President Ben Croat presented the annual Student Government Report.  The reports highlighted the impressive efforts of our faculty, staff, and students.  During the President’s Report, I introduced Dr. Jackie Jackson, Vice President for University Advancement, who joined the University on January 26.  I provided updates on the searches for Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (EVPAAP), Assistant/Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management (AVPEM), Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies, and Chief Operating Officer (COO).  The EVPAAP Search Committee is reviewing applicants, with a goal of identifying candidates for Zoom interviews by March 6th, followed by on-campus interviews March 30 – April 7.  The AVPEM position description was posted last week; the Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies will be posted this week; and the COO position will be posted after spring break.  In addition to legislative updates from Washington DC and Jefferson City, I highlighted Truman’s recent inclusion in The Missouri Times’ “This Week in Missouri Politics College Tour,” hosted by Scott Faughn.  I, along with a panel consisting of Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin; Associate Vice President for University Advancement Charles Hunsaker; and Student Government President Alex Peterson, participated in an episode that aired on February 1, focusing on the value of a liberal arts education and the impact of Truman and the University’s alumni on the state and region.  Committee meetings included status reports on finance, construction projects, and student engagement, and the working session focused on enrollment strategies.

In terms of action items, the Board approved two construction projects.  The Summer 2026 Roofing and Masonry Ryle Hall Project will replace sections of masonry and the flat roof at the east entrance of Ryle Hall.  The Campus Boiler Plant Deaerator Tank Replacement Project will replace a malfunctioning deaerator tank at the boiler plant.  A deaerator tank is a pressurized vessel that removes corrosive dissolved gases from boiler feedwater, protects the boilers, and improves overall efficiency.  The project will also be completed in the summer.

The agenda for the February 7th open session is available on the Board of Governors website. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 11.

Enjoy the warmer weather and I look forward to all the wonderful things we will accomplish together this semester!

Best regards,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

As I shared in SPAW, I am pleased to announce the formation of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (EVPAAP) Search Advisory Committee.  Tyana Lange, Vice President for Student Engagement and Marketing, has agreed to serve as chair, and the following seven individuals have agreed to serve on the advisory committee.

David Garth, Mathematics Department Chair and Professor of Mathematics, School of Science and Mathematics
Kandice Grossman, Assistant Professor of Sociology, School of Arts and Humanities
Andrea Richards, Clinical Instructor in Communication Disorders, School of Business and Professional Studies
Janet Romine, Dean of Libraries and Museums
Cooper Spacil, Senior and Student Government Representative
Scott Thatcher, Associate Professor of Statistics, School of Science and Mathematics
Kaytee Wood, Associate Registrar

Buffkin/Baker was selected as the search firm to assist us in developing a strong candidate pool, and they have proposed an aggressive timeline to enhance our success in a very competitive hiring environment for senior-level university administrators.

• November 11:  Search Committee charged and began work on position description.
• January 9:  Position posted.
• March 6:  Search Committee selects candidates for initial Zoom interviews.
• March 30 – April 8:  Potential dates for on-campus interviews of finalists

I express my deep appreciation to the members of the advisory committee for their willingness to take on this important assignment.  I am also most appreciative of Tim Walston for his exemplary service as Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Best regards,
Sue

Thank you for your impactful work and for being a Truman gift!

May your well-earned break be filled with everyone and everything you love.

Happy holidays,
Sue

Please click on the image.

Dear Colleagues:

As we enter the last week of the semester, I am pleased to invite you to three wonderful celebrations!

Faculty, Staff, and Retirees Holiday Open House – Wednesday, December 10
The annual Faculty, Staff, and Retirees Holiday Open House is scheduled from 2:30 to 5:00 at the University Residence located at 706 South Halliburton.  Shuttle service will be provided to the University Residence from McClain Hall (parking lot between McClain Hall and the Student Union), Violette Hall (west side parking lot), and Barnett Hall (front east entrance).  The shuttle service will run every 15 minutes starting at 2:15 p.m.  I look forward to celebrating the season and wrapping up the semester with you!

Fall Commencement – Saturday, December 13
On Saturday, we will celebrate our newest Truman graduates at the 2025 Fall Commencement scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in Pershing Arena.  Dr. Eneda Hoxha (’08), a biotech executive focused on building companies that turn rigorous science into real therapies, will serve as our Commencement Speaker, and Tomás Orjuela Muñoz, a soon-to-be-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, will serve as our Student Speaker.

Departmental Food Exchange Day – Friday, December 19
The Departmental Food Exchange Day, our popular annual tradition of socializing with colleagues and enjoying delicious food, will be held on December 19.  Those departments that do not participate in the tradition are more than welcome to join the President’s Office celebration.

The December Board of Governors meeting was held on campus on Saturday under the leadership of Phil Christofferson, Board Chair.  In addition to dining at Missouri Hall and having the opportunity to attend the Holiday Choral Concert, board members participated in committee meetings, a working session, and a board meeting during which they approved several important action items.

2026 Board Officers and Committee Membership
The Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2025 calendar year.  New officers who will take office for one year commencing at the first regular meeting of the calendar year are Bill Lovegreen, Chair; Jennifer Kopp Dameron, Vice Chair; and Taylor Burks, Secretary.

University Strategic Plan
The Board approved the proposed Truman State University 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.  The next step in the process is for specific foundational metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to be set with expectations from the Board of Governors.  I appreciate the tremendous work of the Strategic Plan Drafting Team in developing the initiatives and tactics for the new strategic plan.

2026 Salary Policies
Salary policies for the 2026 calendar year were approved.  The approved salary increases will take effect on January 1, 2026, for employees on the payroll as of that date, unless an earlier employment agreement states otherwise.

The Faculty Compensation Committee proposed several recommendations for full-time faculty salaries to improve Truman’s compensation policies, focusing on two main priorities this year – to address salary compression and to increase starting salaries in academic disciplines that are currently below the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) median.  The committee recommended, and the Board approved, salary increases to address these issues.  The approved increases include adjustments based on years of service: 0-2 years ($600 increase); 3-5 years ($675 increase); 6-8 years ($750 increase); 9-11 years ($850 increase); 12-17 years ($950 increase); 18-23 years ($1,050 increase); 24-29 years ($1,150); 30+ years ($1,275).  A $500 increase in starting salary was recommended for the 11 current open faculty positions to support recruitment.

In terms of staff salaries, our approach is to either apply across-the-board increases to raise the lowest salaries more significantly or apply percentage increases to ensure that those with higher wages do not always receive relatively small raises.  After two years of percentage increases and one year of across-the-board increases, the goal for January 2026 is to focus on raising the lowest staff salaries more significantly.  Full-time exempt and salaried/comp time-eligible staff will receive an annual increase of $825.  Current non-exempt staff starting salaries, not covered by the hourly schedule, will increase by $.40 per hour.  All starting salaries will be $15.50 or higher.

Each employee’s Employee Position and Composition Information, found on TruView under Employee Tools, will be updated after the first of the year.  Faculty will receive an email from Interim Provost Tim Walston detailing their base salary increase.  For questions, staff should contact Payroll; faculty should contact the Provost’s Office.

Housing and Meal Plan Charges
Housing charges effective with the 2026 Fall Semester were approved.  The Board approved an average increase of 4.4% for apartment, single, and double room rates, and an increase of 4.36% for meal plans.  The most common combination students choose is a double occupancy room with a 15-meal-per-week board plan.  The overall increase proposed for this setup is 4.38%.  These increases will keep Truman’s meal plan prices competitive with other colleges and universities in the region while covering higher costs for utilities, salaries, and staff fringe benefits.

Revision to Academic Calendar for August Interim 2026 – Summer Session 2028
The Academic Calendar, previously approved at the February 8 meeting was revised by moving the Summer Session 2027 term one week earlier.  This change resolves the conflict on July 5, 2027, when the University is closed for Independence Day.  It also allows the Registrar’s Office sufficient time to process summer grades before the start of the 2027 Fall Semester.

Architectural Services – Summer 2026 Roofing/Masonry/Concrete Project
A proposal from Building Resource Studio, LLP, to provide architectural services for the Summer 2026 Roofing, Masonry, and Concrete Project was approved.  The roofing on Ryle Hall (the flat roof at the east entrance) and sections of masonry on Ryle need replacement.  Additionally, the external stairs at Ophelia Parrish have deteriorated and require replacement.  The schedule is planned to facilitate completing the work during the summer of 2026, with funding allocated from the Plant Fund.

Federal Governmental Relations and Policy Services
The Board extended the contract with Venable LLP to provide federal governmental relations and policy services through December 31, 2027, with an option to extend the agreement for one additional year.  Venable has provided federal governmental relations and policy services to the University since February 2023, following a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.  Based on the firm’s performance and the demonstrated return on investment from a federal-level advocate, it was recommended that Venable’s services be continued.

Professional Leaves
The Board approved faculty sabbaticals.  Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members.  We look forward to hearing about the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.

2026 Spring Semester and the 2026 Fall Semester
Laura Naioti, Associate Professor of Art

2026-2027 Academic Year
Vayujeet Gokhale, Professor of Physics
Jason McDonald, Associate Professor of History

2027 Spring Semester
Michael Bump, Professor of Music

Finally, regarding public comments and reports, Andrew Hutchinson, Union Representative and Organizing Director of LiUNA Local 995, provided public comments on the proposed Unit I Wage for Physical Plant employees, and I submitted a President’s Report highlighting recent student achievements and end-of-semester events.  Committee meetings and working session topics included status reports on finance, enrollment, student engagement, and construction projects, as well as academic affairs highlights from the Fall Semester.

A copy of the open session agenda is available on the Board of Governors website. The next regular meeting of the Board of Governors is scheduled for Saturday, February 7.

We are almost to the finish line for the fall semester!  I am enormously appreciative of all the impactful work you have done, and I wish you a joyful holiday season and a restorative break!

All the best,
Sue

Shuttle service will be available to the University Residence from McClain Hall (parking lot between McClain Hall and the Student Union), Violette Hall (west side parking lot), and Barnett Hall (front east entrance).  The shuttle service will run every 15 minutes starting at 2:15 p.m.  We look forward to celebrating Truman and the holiday season with you!

Dear Colleagues:

I hope everyone had the opportunity to experience our fantastic Homecoming celebration.  The theme this year was “Truman!  Where Bulldogs Come to Win,” and did we ever!

From Monday’s Homecoming Kickoff throughout the entire weekend, Bulldog energy, pride, and enthusiasm were in full force.  Students, alumni, and honored guests enjoyed the purple-lined streets, celebrated our distinguished 2025 Dogs of Distinction, participated in the Homecoming Parade, which was grand marshaled by our esteemed alumna, The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, and cheered for our victorious Bulldogs during the football game.  An enormous thank you to all who played a part in making Homecoming such a spectacular event, in particular the Homecoming Committee, Union and Involvement Services, and the Office of Advancement.

As part of the Homecoming celebration, Truman had another significant win, with the celebration of the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Kirk Building, Senator Roy and Abby Blunt SKILLS Center, and Student Success Center.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to tour the newly remodeled facility, and we were graced with the presence of U.S. Senator Roy and Abby Blunt and Craig Berryman, our newly named inaugural director of the SKILLS Center.

In keeping with tradition, we were also pleased to welcome members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board of Directors, and Alumni Association Board of Directors to campus for their annual October meetings.  Their steadfast teamwork and commitment ensure that Truman continues to play at the top of its game.

Governor Philip J. Christofferson, Chair of the Board, began the Board of Governors meeting by recognizing several members of the University community.  The Board presented a resolution of commendation to Alexis Peterson, president of Student Senate and a senior criminal justice studies and social issue advocacy double major and legal studies minor from St. Joseph, Missouri, in recognition of earning a National Championship in Impromptu Speaking at the Phi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament held on March 13-16, 2025.  The Board also presented resolutions of appreciation to Truman’s Higher Learning Commission Leadership Team, who worked tirelessly to assure reaccreditation.  Members of the team included chair Kevin Minch and members Nancy Asher, Kathryn Brammall, Dean DeCock, Eric Freedman, Tyana Lange, Christopher Maglio, Steve Parsons, Alexis Peterson, Jonathan Vieker, and Tim Walston.

Also, during the Board of Governors meeting, RubinBrown LLP accounting firm reviewed the draft of the University’s audit report.  I provided a President’s Report highlighting the exemplary efforts of many individuals, both on and off campus, to save the ROTC Bulldog Battalion from deactivation.  Charles Hunsaker, Associate Vice President for University Advancement; Calaneet Balas, President of the Foundation Board of Directors; and Dustin Carmack, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, shared updates on Advancement and the work of their respective boards’ activities.  The Board approved the Ryle Hall Masonry Repairs 2025 Project to address repairs needed on the northwest corner of the dining and lounge portion of the structure due to shifting stonework on the portico.  Finally, during their committee meetings, the Board reviewed financial reports, received updates on construction projects and equipment purchases, and received updates from academic affairs on five-year program reviews and personnel changes and student services in student engagement and marketing.

The complete open session agenda from the October 17 meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website, located at https://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/board-of-governors-agendas/. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, December 6.

Have a great second half of the semester, and thank you for making Truman the place where Bulldogs come to win!

All the best,
Sue

Greetings Truman Colleagues!

I hope this summer you have found some time to relax, rejuvenate, and engage in memorable experiences.  Thanks to all who were here this summer for your great work, and welcome back to those who were able to take some time away.

With the new academic year just around the corner, we are excited to welcome new students, faculty, and staff to campus and reconnect with returning students and University community members.  I look forward to all of the terrific things we will accomplish together!

Once again, we will gather for the Fall Opening Assembly on Wednesday, August 13, at 1:00 p.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall and the always fun Ready-or-Not Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, August 15, at noon in the Georgian Rooms of the Student Union.  In addition, the Truman community is invited to bring their families as we celebrate the beginning of the new academic year with our students at New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from 7-9 p.m. on August 17.  The fun-filled, family-friendly celebration will include a photo booth with Spike, balloon models, lawn games, party hats, noisemakers, event-specific stickers, music, beverages (including mocktails), and snacks.  Everyone is welcome to stay for a countdown to the new year, which will occur at 8:30 p.m.  We look forward to seeing you there!

There are several other great opportunities during Truman Week and Welcome Week to informally interact with our students and show them how happy we are that they are here.  Volunteers may sign up here.  Please scroll down to Enrollment Management and Marketing to find the activities.  Thanks in advance for helping us in this fun and impactful way.  The students’ excitement is contagious, and it will be well worth your time.

I am also pleased to report on the Board of Governors meeting held this past weekend under the leadership of Board Chair Philip Christofferson.

During their committee meetings and working session, the Board received updates on admissions, financial reports, investments, construction projects, academic affairs initiatives for the upcoming academic year, and student engagement activities for the fall semester.  The Board participated in a tour of the University farm led by Dr. Michael Seipel, Professor of Agricultural Science; Emily Costello, Lecturer in Agricultural Science and Coach of the Equestrian Show Team; and two fabulous students, Sierra Snyder and Haley VanDyke, who did an amazing job representing the student impact of the farm.

Signe Coombs, Director of Athletics, provided the annual Athletics Report, and Kerrion Dean, Chair of Staff Council and Program Coordinator for the Bulldog Office of Community Enrichment, provided the annual Staff Council Report.  Finally, during the President’s Report, I shared efforts underway to address and potentially alter the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s decision to close Truman’s ROTC program at the end of the 2025-26 Academic Year.  In addition, I provided updates related to the work of the Council of Public Higher Education in Missouri (COPHE).  I introduced Drs. Tim Walston and Steve Hudman, Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (IEVPAAP) and Interim Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, and shared updates related to the search for the Vice President for University Advancement and the search for an EVPAAP, which will begin during the fall semester.  Finally, I highlighted the 2025 Bulldog Nation Road Show, which took place in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Kirksville.  The events were energized and well attended, and provided the Director of Athletics, coaches, and I with wonderful venues to share updates about Truman and Bulldog Athletics with alumni and friends of the University.

During the meeting, the Board also approved the following action items:

Campus Steam Loop Repairs Project
This project, funded from local capital funds, will address deficiencies with the north and south steam loops used to circulate hot water between the boiler plant and the rest of campus.

Contracted Services – AI Recruiter
This request allows for the purchase of a one-year subscription from CollegeVine, which will enable Truman to implement AI Recruiter (AI) for a targeted recruiting campaign and application completion activities support.  Funds for the purchase will be provided by the Truman Fund for Excellence.

Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2026
These budgets, reviewed and approved annually to provide funding for major building and renovation projects, support institutional priorities identified in Truman’s Strategic Plan and the Campus Master Plan.  Capital projects are designed and bid, and approval by the Board will be obtained for each project following established procedures.

State Appropriations Request for Fiscal Year 2027
This request, submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the State Office of Administration, requests funding to support the Education and General Budget.  The FY2026 requests include a funding increase linked to inflationary costs, maintenance and repairs funds, operational funds for the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center, an internship pipeline program, and rural telehealth counseling.  Although it is not anticipated that funding will be available for these initiatives, the submission allows for the opportunity if state funding becomes available.

A copy of the open session agenda from the meeting can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Friday, October 17, in conjunction with Homecoming activities.

Enjoy your last days of summer.  I look forward to seeing you at the new academic year kickoff events!

Best regards,
Sue

 

Dear Colleagues: 

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Lori Shook, Design Project Manager in Campus Planning.  Lori was a valued member of the Truman community since 2007.  Responsible for coordinating all construction projects on campus, most recently Lori orchestrated the Greenwood and Kirk Building renovations, and her interests included historical preservation, campus trees, and sustainability.    

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Lori’s family and all who had the fortune of knowing her. 

We will share funeral arrangements once they have been confirmed. 

Kind regards,
Sue 

Hello Truman Colleagues!

I am happy to share that we have an interim provost and an interim dean.  Dr. Tim Walston, current Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, has agreed to serve as Interim Provost starting July 1, 2025.  The current Associate Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, Dr. Steve Hudman, has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics starting on the same date.  Over the next few weeks, we will work together to name an interim associate dean.

We will conduct a national search (with members of our community welcome to apply) that will commence in the fall semester.  I will work with constituency groups to establish a search committee and develop a position description.

I greatly appreciate Tim and Steve stepping into these interim roles, and I look forward to the impactful work they will do.

Have a wonderful week!
Sue