Dear Colleagues:

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, great food, and, hopefully, a little relaxation.   As we enter the last two weeks of the semester, I am pleased to invite you to three upcoming events.

• Holiday Open House – Wednesday, December 11
  As another venue for faculty, staff, and retirees to socialize, I invite you to the annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 11, 2:30-5:00 p.m. 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 beginning at 2:15 p.m.  I look forward to celebrating Truman and the holiday season with you!

• Fall Commencement – Saturday, December 14
  Truman’s Fall Commencement Ceremony will be held on December 14 at 11:00 a.m. in Pershing Arena.  Our Commencement Speaker will be Marjorie Maas, 2002 alumna and CEO of  Share Good, an engagement partner for communities, foundations, and nonprofits wanting to increase local philanthropic involvement.   I hope you will join us as we cheer on our newest Truman graduates!
• Casual Dress and Departmental Food Exchange Day – Friday, December 20
  December 20 is Truman’s Casual Dress and Departmental Food Exchange Day.  This eagerly anticipated annual tradition provides a terrific opportunity for faculty and staff to mingle and dine on yummy food.

Looking forward to these great celebrations with you!
Sue

The academic year’s second Coffee (and Chocolates) with the President will occur on Thursday, December 5, at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Building Conference Room.  This coffee will focus on Truman’s marketing strategy.  Joining Sue will be Conor O’Flaherty, founder of Enliven Agency, Inc., and Hayden Wilsey, associate director of marketing.  All faculty and staff are invited.  We hope to see you there.    

Dear Truman Colleagues:

I am pleased to share the membership of the Strategic Plan Drafting Team.  Team composition was determined from nominations (self/other nominations, Faculty Senate nominations, Staff Council nominations, and Student Government nominations) and considered a number of factors (e.g., position type, time at Truman, etc.).  My great appreciation to the 20+ members of our community who were nominated.  Eric Dickson, Associate Dean for the School of Arts and Humanities, has graciously agreed to be the chair of the Strategic Plan Drafting Team, and the members are:

Laura Bates – Executive Director of Student Union and Campus Recreation
Kerrion Dean – Program Coordinator of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Jackie Donnelly – Assistant Professor of Military Science
Andy Herington – Human Resources Manager
Brenna Hertig – Junior Student
Amber Johnson – Professor of Anthropology
Katie Judd – Department Chair of Psychology and Counseling; Associate Professor of Psychology
Sara Seifert – Chief of Police/Director of the Department of Public Safety

With the assistance of the Strategic Plan Expert Liaisons, this group will work with the Strategic Plan Oversight Committee to draft Truman’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.  The target date for completion of the draft plan is May 2025, with the opportunity for campus-wide feedback at the beginning of the next academic year (August – September).  The final version of the plan will be shared with the Board of Governors for approval at their October 2025 meeting.

The Team will begin meeting this week.  Please be on the lookout for future updates.

Best regards,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

It is with immense sadness that I share the passing of Dr. Jack Magruder, President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, on Sunday, November 17.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 23, at 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, with a graveside service immediately following the funeral.  A public visitation/memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 2:00 pm in the Georgian Rooms of the Student Union Building.

For more than 50 years, Dr. Magruder lived his passion for and commitment to Truman – first as a student, then as a faculty member and academic administrator, and from 1994–2003, as the University’s thirteenth president.  With the name change to Truman State University in 1996, his guidance was integral in finishing the more than decade-long transformation into Missouri’s only statewide public liberal arts and sciences institution.  Truman’s run of No. 1 rankings began on his watch and continues uninterrupted to this day.  He established our Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and in celebration of a career that had already included 35 years of service, Science Hall was renamed Magruder Hall in his honor in 1999.  Dr. Magruder’s leadership as president of A. T. Still University was indispensable in establishing the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Kirksville.

It was my great honor and pleasure to know Dr. Magruder and to share many memorable times with him.  His legacy at Truman and in education public service will be enduring.  We are better for having known him, and we are thankful for his profound impact.

With best regards,
Sue

The academic year’s first Coffee (and Chocolates) with the President will occur on Tuesday, November 19, at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Building Conference Room.  We will continue to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on campus, which was first introduced at a coffee last year.  For this session, members of the AI Working Group will review a draft of the AI Policy.  Our goal is to craft the best way to unlock AI’s potential for enhancing teaching, learning, and university services at Truman, and this draft policy is a way to provide the necessary guidance.  All interested faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this discussion.

I hope to see you there.
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

Truman Homecoming 2024, entitled “Squirrel Scouts,” was a resounding success!  Our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends each bring something unique to our community.  However, it’s the collective spirit of everyone that genuinely embodies the magic of Truman, a spirit we celebrated this weekend.  Like the iconic Truman squirrel, each of you is an invaluable part of our campus and identity, and we wouldn’t be the same without you!

Homecoming was also a time to celebrate the contributions of our alumni and friends.  In addition to honoring several individuals at the Homecoming Celebration on Friday evening, we were honored to host members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board of Directors, and Alumni Association Board of Directors for their annual October meetings.  These individuals, with their unwavering service and dedication, are true servant leaders and we could not achieve our mission and vision without them.  They are not just representatives, but the living embodiment of the Truman spirit.

Regarding the Board of Governors meeting, Nancy Gingrich, Chair of the Board, began the meeting by recognizing two former Board members for their exemplary service and one student, Jacob Morris, for obtaining excellence in a nationally competitive activity.  Dr. Cheryl J. Cozette served as a member of the Board from April 2007 through April 2024 at the request of the Governor of Missouri in both April 2007 and May 2018.  Governor Cozette served as Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Board a total of three times, providing leadership in guiding the University through four presidential search processes and overseeing various committees of the Board.  Governor Ella Schnake served as Student Representative to the Board from April 2023 through her graduation from Truman in May 2024, providing a compelling and persuasive voice for students throughout her tenure.   Jacob Morris, a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Education program, earned the title of NCAA National Champion in Men’s Discuss Throw at the 2024 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship.

Representatives of RubinBrown LLP, an accounting firm, reviewed the university’s annual audit draft.  Tyana Lange, Vice President for Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Marketing, provided an enrollment report analyzing this year’s enrollment numbers and sharing new admission strategies and specific enrollment goals for the 2025-26 Academic Year.  I offered a President’s Report, noting several recent speaking opportunities in Columbia, where I highlighted Truman and our exceptional students.  I also reported on the continued work of the House Interim Committee on Higher Education Workgroup, shared the status of various on-campus searches, and noted that the Kirk Building renovation is on schedule to be completed in December.  Finally, during their committee meetings, the Board reviewed financial reports and received updates on academic affairs, student services, enrollment, and construction projects.

In addition, six action items were approved by the Board:

1. Architectural Services for the 2025 Roofing/Masonry Project.  Several major buildings, including McClain, Magruder, and Pickler Memorial Library, need roofing section replacements.  Each of these buildings has sections of roofing which vary in age due to renovations and additions.  This project addresses these issues as well as masonry repairs at Pickler Memorial Library.  The schedule is designed to allow work to be completed during the summer of 2025.  Funding for this project will come from the Plant Fund.   After the Board approves construction bids, work will occur starting in May 2025.
2. Architectural Services for the Ryle Hall Kitchen/Dining Improvements Project.  As part of ongoing updates to Truman’s dining services, the Ryle Hall dining room and kitchen need improvements.  This includes new ceilings and lighting in the dining room, along with painting and some new seating areas.  In the kitchen, several major pieces of equipment require replacement, including ovens, dishwasher and exhaust, tray return, milk dispenser, ice cream machine, etc.  This project will be designed and bid to allow work to begin in early June 2025, with completion before the fall semester.  Funding for this project will come from the Auxiliary Food Services Fund.
3. Purchase of a 35-passenger Freightliner bus.   Truman’s 35-passenger bus was purchased in 2013 and recently surpassed 230,000 miles.  This bus represents one of three units that provides transportation to student-athletes.  This bus also regularly transports students to and from other regional off-campus events.  As a result of the unit’s age, repair and maintenance costs have begun to be significant.  The accepted proposal offered a unit with a proven and reliable drivetrain, the largest luggage area for team sports, and the closest service location to Truman’s campus.  Finally, the proposal included options for students, such as USB ports for all passengers, allowing connectivity to complete coursework during longer trips.
4. Revisions to the Alumni Association Bylaws.  The Truman Alumni Association Board of Directors met on July 13 and approved an updated by-laws document.  Per the association’s charter, the Truman Board of Governors must approve all by-law revisions.  The new alumni association by-laws provide the association with the latitude to develop a national alumni association.
5. Construction Project – HVAC System Upgrades Phase I Project.  Several facilities need upgrades to cooling towers, chillers, and air handling units.  This first phase will replace chillers in Magruder Hall and install a new heating and cooling system in Pershing Arena.  This project will also provide operational cost-savings via more efficient HVAC units.  Funding is from a state appropriation for this purpose.
6. Faculty Early Retirement Incentive Program 2026.  The Board approved a one-time faculty early retirement incentive program with a separation/retirement date no later than May 31, 2026.  Eligible for the early retirement incentive program are all full-time employees holding faculty rank currently employed at Truman, with a minimum of five years of service at the University,  and who meet one of the following conditions by May 31, 2026:  1) MOSERS Participant (MOSERS Retirement Eligible on or before June 1, 2026); and 2) CURP Participant (Age plus years of service must equal 70 on or before June 1, 2026).  The program is not available to employees who have previously retired under the MOSERS and CURP retirement systems or have already committed their written intent to retire or resign from the University.  The program is limited to thirty-five (35) participants.  It provides a cash incentive payment of $30,000, payable as a lump sum in the employee’s final check from the University.  The enrollment period runs from November 11 through December 20, 2024.  The Human Resources Office will distribute additional information and directions about how to apply.

The complete open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors website. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 7.

Thank you in advance to everyone working to make this weekend’s Truman Experience Weekend a fantastic recruiting event!

All the best,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Crystal Robbins.   A valued member of the Truman community and Physical Plant team since 2021, Crystal passed away on October 2.   

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

We will share funeral arrangements when they have been confirmed. 

Kind regards,
Sue

As noted at the Fall 2024 Opening Assembly, our current strategic plan ends in 2025.  To ensure ample time to develop the 2026-2030 strategic plan and obtain campus feedback, we are taking the first step in developing the new strategic plan – establishing the Strategic Plan Drafting Team.  Any member of the Truman faculty or staff can nominate themselves or other members of the faculty or staff to be part of the Strategic Plan Drafting Team using the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan Nomination Form.   

With the assistance of the Strategic Plan Expert Liaisons, the Strategic Plan Drafting Team will work with the Strategic Plan Oversight Committee to draft Truman’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.  The target date for the completion of the draft plan is May 2025.  Characteristics of effective drafting team members include:

• Being collaborative
• Being forward-looking
• Having the ability to take a university-wide perspective
• Having the ability to keep the University’s vision and the three overarching commitments of the strategic plan at the forefront of decision-making

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Sunday, September 29.  We look forward to receiving your nominations!

A new component has been added to the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebration on Sunday, August 18.  This year, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Truman community is invited to bring their families for a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of the start of the new academic year.  There will be a photo booth with Spike, balloon models, lawn games, party hats, noisemakers, stickers specific to the event, bubbles, music, beverages (including mocktails), and snacks.  Everyone is welcome to stay for a countdown to the new year, which will occur at 9 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dear Colleagues:

The August Board of Governors Meeting (please see highlights below) signals that summer is rapidly coming to a close and the new academic year is 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.  It’s going to be a great new year! 

Once again, we will gather for the Fall Opening Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, at 1:00 p.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall and the Ready-or-Not Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for Friday, August 16, at noon in the Georgian Room of the Student Union.  In addition, I invite you to attend New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on Sunday, August 18, on the Quad.  From 6:30-7:30 p.m., the event will be family-friendly, with faculty and staff encouraged to bring members of their families.  In celebration of the start of the new academic year, we will have a photo booth with Spike, balloon models, lawn games, party hats, noisemakers, stickers specific to the event, and various mocktails and snacks.  There will also be live music and a countdown to the new year, which will take place at 9 p.m.

Finally, I ask that you volunteer to support Truman Week and Welcome Week activities.  Most of the volunteer opportunities require an hour or less of your time, and they are a great way to welcome our new Bulldogs and join in the excitement of a new academic year.  Volunteers may sign up here (please scroll down to Truman Week to find the activities).  Thanks in advance for helping in this fun and impactful way!  

* * * * *

The Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of Board Chair Nancy Gingrich.  During the meeting, the Board approved the following action items.

Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2025
The local capital improvement budgets are reviewed and approved annually to fund major building and renovation projects.  This year’s budgets 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 Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2026
The state appropriation request is submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the State Office of Administration.  It requests funding to support the Education and General Budget.  The FY2026 request includes a funding increase linked to the rate of inflation, maintenance and repair funds, and what are known as New Decision Items, which target academic initiatives.

Architectural Services – Student Union Chick-fil-A Renovation Project
The Chick-fil-A franchise agreement calls for facility upgrades on a periodic basis.  Currently, the Student Union has a Chick-fil-A Express with a limited menu.  The renovation will expand the size of the operation to a full-service model and include more menu options.  Following the standard selection process, Bryce E. Nichols, Architect with Mayse & Associates, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, was selected to work with staff to ensure the design coordinates with the building’s existing electrical and plumbing services.  Funding will come from the auxiliary plant fund.  Approval for design services is needed to meet projected bidding and construction schedules.  After the Board approves construction bids, work will begin in late May 2025. 

Request for Naming Opportunities
The waiting room (101C) within the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center will be named Herman’s Hangout – Waiting Room, and the conference room (101D) within Greenwood will be named the James and Amanda Greenwood Conference Room.  Both naming opportunities recognize a financial contribution that meets the guidelines for naming opportunities per Foundation Board policy.

The Board heard reports from the morning committee meetings regarding the University’s financial, investment, and construction projects and reports on academic affairs summer leadership development and fall priorities, enrollment, and student engagement.  During the Board meeting, Provost Freedman provided a report on summer academies, and I shared details about the work of the House Interim Committee on Higher Education Workgroup and gave a shout-out to those who assisted with the efforts to bring the Missouri Special Olympics 2025 summer games to Kirksville.  A decision on their selected site is expected this week.

A copy of the open session agenda from the August 3 meeting can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Friday, October 25, in conjunction with Homecoming activities.

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

Sue