The Index Vol. 109 Issue 11

Truman State University tmn.truman.edu FEATURES | Students lead special courses as preceptors Page 5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 tmn.truman.edu

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Final discussions as LSP vote nears

Photo by Brently Snead/TMN Student Senate members attend the special meeting Faculty Senate hosted Nov. 2. Student Senate hosted student forums in October and passed a resolution on the proposals at its Nov. 5 meeting.

BY BRENTLY SNEAD Managing Editor

Truman State University’s Faculty Senate hosted a special meeting Nov. 2 to discuss previous proposals for improving the Liberal Studies Program in hopes of better informing the University before a final decision is made Nov. 16.

The original proposal was created in a span of two years in an effort to make Truman distinctive by adding seminars and reworking the current LSP. The proposal outlined four worlds and said students should take at least one course from each, and then encouraged students to explore more at their own leisure. Another proposal was then created during the summer after various questions were posed about the first proposal. The latter proposal removed a seminar and reworked the previous worlds into various perspectives.

The meeting was open to faculty and students, and representatives of

Truman’s Spring 2017 Proposal Worlds (13-18 credits) At least one course from each: •

Natural Worlds (4-5 credits) • Social Worlds (4-5 credits) • Creative Worlds (3-4 credits) • Symbolic Systems (3-5 credits)

each of the proposals shared why they thought their committee’s proposal was appropriate for the University.

Director of Interdisciplinary Studies Bridget Thomas said the original proposal — which took two years to develop — was a framework to encourage curiosity among students, and brought the liberal arts education up to date. Thomas said the curriculum was modeled after private universities with similar goals to Truman, and could help instill in students a desire to learn inside and outside of the classroom.

Sally West, who also served on the committee, said she thought the framework they created embodied a vision for students rather than simply having students check off requirements. West also expressed a fear of Truman beginning to resemble a community college rather than the university it is.

Senior Joe Slama, Student Senate member, spoke after the first proposal was presented and told faculty he thinks

Syracuse University’s Liberal Arts Core Curriculum

Truman has something special to offer.

“I like the emphasis on preparation for multiple careers simply given the world that we live in,” Slama said. “The generation that we, as current students, belong to is expected to have an average of five careers over the course of our lifetime, so I like the idea that we’re being prepared for all of those careers.”

Slama is a student ambassador and often gives tours around campus. Slama said he thinks having a curriculum comparable to a private school helps bring students in.

“The joke that sort of gets thrown around Truman sometimes — that I’ve even heard professors say — is that Truman students are the ones who couldn’t afford to go to [Washington University],” Slama said. “A lot of students are sort of in that demographic, so if they hear that we are, as we have been called, sort of like a private school education at a public school price, that speaks volumes.”

See LSP, page 2

Truman’s Summer 2017 Proposal

Yale University’s Distributional Requirement

Divisional Perspectives Requirements

Perspectives (33-43 credits)

Distributional Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

•

•

•

• •

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (4 courses, 12-16 credits) Social Sciences (4 courses, 12 credits) Humanities (4 courses, 12 credits)

• • • •

STEM Perspectives (10 credits) Social Perspectives (9 credits) Missouri Specific Requirements (6 credits) Humanities and Aesthetic Perspectives (9 credits) Communication Skills Perspectives (0-9 credits)

• • • • •

Area requirement in the Sciences (2 course credits) Area requirement in the Social Sciences (2 course credits) Area requirement in the Humanities and Arts (2 course credits) Skills requirement in Foreign Language (at least 1 course credit) Skills requirement in Quantitative Reasoning (2 course credits) Skills Requirement in Writing (2 course credits)

SPORTS | Truman women’s basketball acquires Davenport duo Page 12

Applications open for scholarships to study abroad

BY RYAN PIVONEY Staff Writer

For students who might need financial assistance to study abroad, there is currently $70,000 available in study abroad Foundation Scholarships for which students can apply.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of dollars total in scholarships are available to Truman State University students through Foundation Scholarships. These scholarships are open to students each semester, and though applications for the general Foundation Scholarships closed Nov. 3, applications for study abroad Foundation Scholarships are now open.

Foundation Scholarships manager Becky Pike said individual scholarships have different criteria students must meet to apply for them. Any full-time student can apply, as long as they fit the criteria for the scholarship they’re applying for.

Many study abroad scholarships are based on financial need, which requires students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Foundation Scholarships are made available by donations from Truman alumni and other donors. Pike said there are more than 500 Foundation Scholarships available, and they are intended for a diverse range of students. The criteria for each scholarship is created by its donors. Scholarship recipients are chosen by a committee made up of faculty and staff.

“Some scholarships are renewable, some are for study abroad and some are given to students in emergency situations,” Pike said. “But the majority are advertised for current students in October and February.”

Pike said while the criteria set by the donors makes the scholarship distinct, such as a scholarship that can only go to students who have graduated from a particular high school, the Office of Advancement has the responsibility to ensure the criteria is not too restrictive and can annually be met.

The Foundation Scholarship program awarded more than $1 million to students for the 2017 fiscal year.

“A lot of our donors really want to see students have the opportunities to do some amazing things,” Pike said. “Especially those students for which it is something their family might not be able support.”

To apply for a Foundation Scholarship, students can follow the Foundation Scholarship Application link under the Student Finances Tab on TruView.

Deadlines for applications vary, but more informationcan be found on Truman’s study abroad webstie.

Water tower will be replaced next year

BY DANA BARTCH Staff Writer

Next year, the City of Kirksville plans to construct a new water tower in the Patryla Park area to increase water storage as the city’s commercial development expands.

Kirksville City Engineer Len P. Kollars said there are currently four water towers and one ground storage unit in Kirksville. These provide the city with about 4 million gallons of water, but because of new commercial development — such as the new hotels and Menard’s — there is an increased demand for water.

The towers are inspected once every five years. This year, the City Council decided the smallest and oldest tower — located in downtown Kirksville — will be replaced. Kollars said the industrial standard is to hold the amount of water the city would use in a single day in storage. Since the city’s water plant can handle about 4 million gallons per day, a little more than 4 million gallons should be kept in storage.

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 11 © 2017

The city is looking at constructing a new composite water tower, fit to hold 1 million gallons of water, in the vicinity of Patryla Park in 2018. Patryla Park is located near the intersection

of Boundary Street and Decker Road, west of Spur Pond.

“We are in the design process right now — that will be six months — and probably the construction will take

another six months,” Kollars said.

“We have not put it out to bid, but our estimate for the one million gallon composite tower [is] about $2.53 million.”

Photo by Lawrence Hu/TMN Kirksville’s downtown water tower — which has the logo of A.T. Still University on the side — is slated to be replaced by a larger composite water tower at a different location in 2018.

The Index

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Students play Humans vs. Zombies Left: Students gather on The Quad to participate in Humans vs. Zombies, an event put on each semester at Truman State University.

Bottom Left: Students congregate outside of Blanton-NasonBrewer Hall as play begins. Humans vs. Zombies is a game of tag played on college campuses nationwide.

Bottom Right: Three students battle in front of BNB. Human players defend themselves with Nerf Blasters to avoid being tagged by zombie players.

Photos by Daniel Degenhardt/TMN

LSP | Final proposal changes discussed Continued from page 1

Faculty Senate alternate Jay Self said the communication department is currently leaning toward the second proposal because the original proposal incorporated the essential skills in the freshman seminar, and the communication department thinks public speaking should remain a required course.

A survey from last spring provides support for the communication department’s request because faculty members didn’t think they were trained well enough to teach concepts like public speaking in a seminar.

Another reservation about the original proposal is finding faculty to support new seminars because many departments are already facing difficulties teaching the classes they currently have.

Roberta Donahue, health and exercise sciences representative, addressed this problem because she said those who she would choose to teach a seminar within her department are already teaching Junior Interdisciplinary Seminars and don’t have the time to teach the seminar.

Kathy Otero, accounting department Faculty Senate member, said her department shares in the concern of incorporating these various skills in the seminar because she already has problems with upper-level students not being able to write or speak well even though Truman has designated classes to teach those concepts. West responded to Otero’s concerns in that

Summer committee member Terry Olson presented the second proposal and said the committee started with the original proposal. The committee then made changes they thought would still encourage student curiosity while preparing them for upper-level courses. Olson said this proposal compares to a lot of schools Truman would like to be associated with, such as Yale University or Princeton University.

Summer committee member Candy Young said some of the decisions made on changing the original proposal were in hopes of making it a more bearable load that is implementable. For example, rather than kickstarting two new seminars, they can create one and use it as a learning opportunity to help create an additional one similar to what was in the original proposal.

“We really focused on trying to respect those teams and what they had already developed, and [asking] what can we take from those teams and put into the curriculum,” Young said.

Representatives from each department explained how their department felt about the proposals and which proposal their department was leaning toward.

perhaps integrating these skills more widely across courses would help rather than simply having one course that creates those expectations for students.

In contrast, some faculty worry the new proposal doesn’t offer a lot of change. The other fear with the summer curriculum is that it takes away Truman’s distinctiveness and equates the University to a community college. West said as a liberal arts institution, the goal should be to be distinctive, including doing so in our general education courses.

“If it’s about the majors, what’s the point of having a liberal arts education?” West said.

Other departments, such as the art department, like the original plan because it offers flexibility and more opportunities to learn outside of their major, which could make students more marketable. Members also said a cultural change where students are encouraged to follow their curiosity could be beneficial to students in that it instills a desire to learn and allows them to have a greater balance.

Student Senate discussed the opinions of students from the student forums as well as their own to recommend that Faculty Senate take aspects of each proposal to create a more solid framework rather than deciding between one or the other.

The resolution passed in the Student Senate meeting Nov. 5.

staff Serving the University community since 1909 Adviser Don Krause Editor-in-Chief Seth Wolfmeyer Digital Director Ben Cook Managing Editor Brently Snead News Editor (Text) Nicolas Telep News Editor (Multimedia) Brea Parnell Features Editor Rachel Fechter Sports Editor (Text) Rachel Steinhoff Sports Editor (Multimedia) Jeremy Jacob Copy Chief MacKenna Palazza Assistant Copy Chief Trevor Hamblin

Photo Editor Bethany Travis Design Chief Mariah Radle Distribution Manager Jessica Rose Staff Writers Jase Willhite, Ashley

Murphy, Kennedy Martin, Paul Province, Patrick Pardo, Stephanie Hulett, Brooke Bailey, Curt Wichmer, Kayla Perkins, Spencer Foust, Johanna Burns, Travis Maiden, Ryan Pivoney, Dana Bartch, Gordon McPherson, Justin Newton, Aura Martin

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Perkins program valuable, should not be cut

BY NICK TELEP News Text Editor As reported in last week’s issue of The Index, the U.S. Congress is phasing out the Fedeal Perkins Loan Program since they failed to pass an extension of the program before the Sept. 30 deadline.

Because of Congress’ inaction, students on Truman State University’s campus will lose loans to help pay the cost of their education. Thousands of other students across the country will lose their loans as well. No increase in funding for Pell Grants or federal direct loans has been proposed to offset the cost for those whose loans have been swept out from underneath them.

Perkins Loans are intended for students with the most need. Many students who receive Perkins Loans are able to commit little to none of their own money to college, and these loans bridge the funding gap.

Putting these students — more than 400 at Truman and thousands

nationally — who are barely able to afford higher education in the first place at even more of a disadvantage is absolutely ridiculous.

Now here’s the really interesting part — the federal government is not saving any money or significant effort by slashing this program. Perkins Loans are drawn out of what’s called a revolving fund.

The seed money for the fund was put aside years ago, with part of it coming from the federal government and another portion coming from Truman.

The University does not lend out all of its $4 million fund in a single year — only about $800,000 of the total fund is awarded each school year — but rather lends it out, waits to be paid back and then loans that money out to other students. The same money lent to a student is returned and can help another student years later. The cycle continues, and money goes in and out and helps many more students. Aside from the seed money placed there years ago, the govern-

ment spends no money on this program. The University handles the business and logistical sides of the program, giving the federal government nothing to worry about, administratively.

When I interviewed Regina Morin, Truman’s vice president for enrollment management, she told me there was bipartisan support in Congress to pass a bill that would extend the Perkins Loan program. However, when that bill went to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, it was killed by the committee’s chair, Sen. Lamar Alexander. Alexander, a U.S. Senator from Tennessee, who graduated from college 55 years ago, supports a simpler federal financial aid program — one loan program and one grant program. While some people in higher education think a flexible plan would work well for students and distribute money more efficiently, ending an effective and necessary program without a replacement is not the

way to go. Thousands of students relying on Perkins Loans should not be the guinea pigs of a senator who has not been to college since it cost much less to attend.

I understand fiscal responsibility. I understand wanting to eliminate waste. I even understand the desire to have students pay their fair share for an education.

However, with costs of attendance so astronomically high and the growing importance of a bachelor’s degree as a minimal qualification for employment, it makes no sense to deny low-income students of such a useful resource. The federal government spends no additional money on the Perkins Loan program and incurs no administrative responsibilities or costs. Not renewing a program that costs no extra money and helps thousands of students obtain an education is a ludicrous inaction of an out-oftouch federal government.

[ Our View ] Faculty members should be up to date on technology

In the modern era, college students are expected to be knowledgeable of many forms of technology. Students must juggle word processors, emails, apps like GroupMe, or even video and audio editing software, all to finish their assignments. Professors, by contrast, can often get by without even basic technological knowledge.

We, The Index Editorial Board, believe professors should be held to similar expectations as students when it comes to technological literacy.

When a professor struggles with technology, it uses time a student could spend learning. Similarly, when a professor only accepts printed work rather than online work, the student’s printing resources and time are often being spent unnecessarily.

Not all class work a student produces needs to be digital. A class might use a physical workbook or handwritten assignments, as is the case for some foreign language classes. But, for example, when an assignment is due outside of class time, it becomes extra work for the student to print and deliver it to a professor’s office.

It is equally important professors be able to answer student questions about technology as it pertains to their classes. While they might not be expected to know everything, professors should be able to give students accurate information on how to submit assignments that fit their criteria.

We believe any efforts to encourage technological literacy at Truman must start with faculty. It is not unreasonable to expect faculty to keep up with technology in their fields, especially when some students might be coming in with less technological ability, depending on their background.

Faculty should be able to help fill those gaps in technological literacy.

An easy way to encourage technological literacy among faculty would be to provide specialized training or seminars for those who might need more help. While some seminars already exist, making them more prominent and accessible might help alleviate the issue. Another solution would be to provide resources, such as reading materials or videos, on technological literacy to faculty so they can learn at their own pace.

We, The Index Editorial Board, think Truman State University should be more invested in ensuring technological literacy among its students and faculty, and this process should start with faculty. By starting with faculty, this change can benefit the University as a whole.

On November 7th, 1917, one hundred years ago, the world changed forever. For the first time in history, a major power on the planet became a socialist republic. Since that fateful autumn day, many important developments have occurred around the world. That day was the spark for a global movement that, despite nearly disintegrating two decades ago, is becoming increasingly more relevant. A lot of things have been said about the Bolshevik Revolution, and about the state that was created after it. The Soviet Union has been glorified and vilified. It enjoys a remarkably steadfast popularity among a number of the former socialist republics and an unsurprisingly unbudging infamy in the West. Unfortunately, many of the true values of the revolution have been shrouded by misconceptions and misinformation.

The Bolsheviks appealed to the tens of millions of disenfranchised citizens of the Russian Empire, who remained one step away from serfdom, despite being formally emancipated. It is of paramount importance to acknowledge that the Bolshevik movement was supported strongly by people from nearly all walks of life, from peasant farmers to impoverished industrial workers to radical middle class professionals. The Red Army itself consisted of voluntary divisions of former Tsarist troops, who truly believed in the cause and were ready to die for a better future.

Like every other revolution, the October Revolution was in constant motion and subject to debate and interpretation even among the circles of leaders who contributed to its success. Like in many new states throughout history, much of the subsequent political, economic and social policies deviated from the ideals of the original revolutionaries. But what were the ideals the Bolsheviks brought with them when they assumed control of the country in 1917?

The Bolsheviks attributed all the suffering of the peoples of the Russian Empire to capitalism, and more specifically to the social structures that arose from privately owned means of production. Not limited by having to give up large percentages of profits to private owners, the Soviet state was able to provide its citizens a huge swath of benefits without taxing the population.

Soviet citizens were given free education, free medical care, free housing, guaranteed employment, paid vacation, paid maternity leave, shorter working weeks and government-funded sports and recreation centers. The Bolsheviks strongly supported women’s rights, being one of the first regimes to grant women the right to abortion and divorce. Women were given equal pay and representation in the workforce, empowering them to take on serious careers in a variety of fields. Marxist theory also condemned colonialism, resulting in the Soviet Union’s contribution to many liberation movements around the world.

The October Revolution was an outcry against global imperialism, unjust treatment of working peoples and oppression of minorities. It is irrefutable that many of the revolution’s ideals were compromised as the USSR wrestled with external and internal pressures, but there is no doubt that the vision of the revolutionaries challenged the status quo and forever changed the trajectory of our world.

Makar Golosheykin

EDITORIAL POLICY: The Index is published Thursdays during the academic year by students at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501.

The production offices are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. The Index is a designated public forum, and content of the Index is the responsibility of The Index staff. The editor-in-chief consults with the staff and adviser but ultimately is responsible for all decisions.

Opinions of The Index columnists are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the staff or the newspaper. Our View editorials represent the view of the Editorial Board through a two-thirds majority vote. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor, section editors, copy chief and assistant copy chief. The Index reserves the right to edit submitted material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor-in-chief deems appropriate. Submitted material includes advertisements and letters to the editor.

LETTER POLICY: The Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University and Kirksville community. Letters to the editor are due by noon the Sunday before publication and become property of The Index upon submission. Once submitted, the letter is subject to editing for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.

Submissions must contain a well-developed theme and cannot exceed 500 words except at the discretion of the opinion editor and/or editor-in-chief.

The Index suggests that submissions be written about current events or public issues that need to be brought forth, and should offer a valid argument.

Submission does not guarantee publication, especially when submissions fail to add something to the current discussion. Letters containing personal attacks, libelous attacks, or inaccurate information will not be published. All letters to the editor must be typed and submitted by e-mail to index. opinionseditor@gmail.com. Include the words “letter to the editor” in the subject line of the e-mail. Letters which are not submitted digitally will be taken in consideration.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

calendar Nov. 13

Nov. 11

Nov. 11 A Night in Africa 6-8:30 p.m.

SUB Georgian Rooms

University Orchestra Concert 8-9:30 p.m.

Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall

World Kindness Day Celebration 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Quad

The African Students’ Association is hosting “A Night in Africa,” a formal exhibition of African cultures. The event will include food and music. The event is free, but interested students must register online, as space is limited.

The University Orchestra will be performing Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” The concert will feature favorites from the ballet such as “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” and “Waltz of the Flowers.” The concert is free.

Public Relations Ice, part of Truman’s public relations class, is working with the Student Activities Board to celebrate World Kindness Day. The event will feature sidewalk chalk, music and refreshments. The event aims to spread kindness to students.

Nov. 13

Nov. 13

Nov. 16

Planetarium Space Exploration Presentations in French and Spanish 6-8 p.m.

Del and Norma Robison Planetarium A discussion about the procedures, experience and findings of space exploration will be presented in Spanish and French. The French presentation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the Spanish presentation at 7 p.m.

Risk Management Workshop 7:30 p.m.

Violette Hall 1424

Chinese Apartment Art Lecture 5-6 p.m.

Ophelia Parrish Art Gallery

Career preparatory fraternity Phi Beta Lambda is hosting a risk management workshop to teach students about handling finances. Students can attend any two of its meetings a semester.

“Chinese Apartment Art — Strategies for Creative Autonomy” by Madeline Eschenburg will be on display as a part of the exhibit, “Retreat: Reflections on Chinese Apartment Art.” Eschenburg will present a video featuring artists who participated in Chinese Apartment Art during the 1980s and 1990s.

[ NEWS IN BRIEF ]

Senate candidate visits Truman

TruYo Cafe up for auction

International Education Week

Austin Petersen, Republican United States Senate candidate, spoke at 5 p.m. Nov. 8 in the SUB Down Under. Petersen is from Peculiar, Missouri, and went to Missouri State University, graduating with a fine arts degree. He went on to create a career in New York City and Washington D.C. but now resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Petersen appeared as a libertarian candidate in the 2016 United States presidential election. He came in second to Gov. Gary Johnson in the libertarian presidential race. Petersen discussed his senate race, his position on issues and what he wants to pursue as a member of the Senate.

After permanently closing, the frozen yogurt shop, TruYo Cafe, will be up for sale at 8 p.m.

Nov. 9 in an online auction. TruYo Cafe officially closed its doors Sept. 23. The shop made a Facebook post announcing its closing the night before. Owner Chris Bailey said the shop wasn’t making the funds it needed to stay open.

TruYo was open under new management for a year after the Truman student who founded the cafe graduated in 2015. The auction will include TruYo equipment including frozen yogurt machines and freezers.

Truman State University’s annual International Education Week is Nov. 11-17. International Education Week is a collaborative effort by the Center for International Students, the Multicultural Affairs Center, the Center for International Education Abroad, the Peace Corps and the health science department among others. The week features many activities meant to teach students about international cultures.

This year there will be “International Idol,” a cultural talent show in the Baldwin Hall Auditorium, a dinner with the African Students’ Association in the SUB Georgian Rooms and a class where students can learn how to make sushi and eggrolls in the SUB Down Under. All events are free to students.

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New Dogs Teaching Old Tricks Students initiate and lead classes on specific topics

BY TRAVIS MAIDEN Staff Writer Next semester, a handful of Truman State University students plan to step out of their comfort zones, stand on the other side of the podium and lead a student-initiated course.

Truman is offering more courses in the books like IDSM 350: Grassroots Environmentalism and IDSM 351: Components of Global Health. The Undergraduate Council and Faculty Senate just approved the newest course — IDSM 240: Marxist Theory of Capitalism course.

Like all students, senior Ben Wallis plans to take classes this spring semester, but he also plans to spend three credit hours per week leading a course.

Wallis will be one of two preceptors for the Marxist theory of capitalism course, along with senior Will Chaney, in which he and Chaney will lead discussions about the subject. Wallis said he thinks the course needs to be taught at Truman because many courses dip their toes into Marxist theory,

Photos by Travis Maiden/TMN

Seniors Hannah Conner and Julia Goldman plan to each precept a student-led class next semester. Conner will precept IDSM 351: Components of Global Health while Goldman will precept IDSM 350: Grassroots Environmentalism.

Studies received a grant from the provost’s office and could make funds available to preceptors designing and leading courses. Thomas said in 2010 there were more guidelines developed, allowing the courses to hit their stride.

Thomas said before she was director of interdisciplinary studies, she was Senior Ben Wallis plans to co-precept the newest of the interdiscia nonbeliever in these courses. After she began the job and asked questions plinary studies classes — IDSM 240: Marxist Theory of Capitalism to people who had experiences in the classes, she was convinced the courses with his friend, senior Will Chaney this coming spring. are valuable because they allowed students to explore, and there is a limit to how much the school offer those types of experiences during this time of budget cuts.

Thomas said peer-to-peer learning is but the University has not offered a specific valuable because it helps students say class on the subject before.

The questions we talk about in class can what’s on their minds about a subject “We need to be able to show, at a school that values the liberal arts and critical think- vary tremendously. Those questions are hard. they are interested in, while a professor might make students feel like they are being so much, that controversial topics can It really helps me learn as a preceptor about ing held back or make them afraid their be studied under the framework provided answers are incorrect. by objective social science,” Wallis said. students and what they’ve experienced. And “People are always inhibited around the Wallis said he and Chaney had to prepare professor no matter who he or she is — and a syllabus for the course, which wasn’t as also when I was a student in the class, it reif it’s peer-to-peer with a faculty member just easy as they thought it would be. The pair ally broadened my own views. sort of hanging back, different things get had to select readings explaining Marxist said,” Thomas said. “I think that’s valuable.” theories and had to develop them in ways that would expand on the material and de- -Senior, Julia Goldman velop it so students could understand.

Wallis said he is planning on applying to doctoral programs and eventually wants to teach similar topics.

Senior Hannah Conner is in a similar position to Wallis — she is going to be precepting a course on components of global health during the spring semester.

Conner said she didn’t initially know what she wanted to do with her biology major. Conner knew she didn’t want to study pre-med or do research.

She was in a group called GlobeMed and went to a conference where she found her passion in the pursuit of global health.

“I want to pursue GlobeMed after school,” Conner said. “Precepting this class is the only way to pursue it now since, again, there isn’t really other options for it in [the] curriculum.”

Conner consulted many sources for assistance like Alicia Wodika, health and exercise sciences assistant professor, and biology professor Laura Fielden-Rechav, because her interest is in medical entomology and parasitology.

Like her friend Conner, senior Julia Goldman also plans to lead a course.

Goldman is planning to precept a class about grassroots environmentalism next semester. She said when she took the class it was filled with seniors and juniors, so when the seniors graduated, she requested to be a preceptor for the course after a previous preceptor encouraged her.

Goldman said many of the discussions in the class will be difficult so she can help students make connections to concepts they wouldn’t have previously made.

Goldman said the course she plans to lead is a student-facilitated class, and she is going to give students opportunities to read and discuss topics and services in her class. She said this gives the students a different experience and offers many opportunities for growth and to explore otherwise uncharted territory.

“The questions we talk about in class can vary tremendously,” Goldman said. “Those questions are hard. It really helps me learn as a preceptor about students and what they’ve experienced. And also when I was a student in the class, it really broadened my own views.”

Director of Interdisciplinary Studies Bridget Thomas said the Interdisci- Director of Interdisciplinary Studies Bridget Thomas has become plinary Studies program began in 2008 when the office of Interdisciplinary a huge advocate for student-led courses since Truman began of-

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fering them in 2008.

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Top Flags You’ve Probably Never Seen

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Mongolia

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The Soyombo, the national and philosophical symbol of Mongolia, is depicted on this flag to stress its importance to the nation’s identity.

The Soyombo includes symbols of fire, water, the sun, the moon, the earth and the yin-yang. The blue stripe symbolizes the sky while the red stripes denotes progress and prosperity.

As told by Seth Wolfmeyer

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Bhutan

Colored white for purity and clenching jewels to represent wealth, the national symbol of the Bhutan Druk — which translates to Thunder Dragon — is boldly displayed on the national flag. The orange and yellow background denotes buddhism and the ruling dynasty.

Barbados

Few flags contain as simple and strong a historic symbol as Barbados. The head of a trident on the flag represents its independence from being a colony of the United Kingdom, which had a full trident on its coat of arms. The blue and gold background depicts the sea, the golden beaches and the sky.

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Nepal

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Cyprus

The only country in the world without a square or rectangular flag, the shape is a combination of two pennants which represent hinduism and buddhism. The upper moon depicts the cool weather of the Himalayas while the lower sun represents the heat of lower Nepal.

A beautiful flag with a sad story, the crossed green olive branches represent the hope that the country’s Greek and Turkish cultures would find a way to coexist. Instead, the two sides remain deeply divided. It is one of two flags in the world to include an outline of its country.

Source: CIA World Factbook

“Thor: Ragnarok” creates universal sense of fun

BY GORDON MCPHERSON Staff Writer While lacking emotional resonance, Taika Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok” proves immensely enjoyable.

“Thor: Ragnarok” continues the adventures of Thor — portrayed by Chris Hemsworth — within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The destruction of Thor’s homeworld, Asgard, has begun, led by the malevolent Hela, portrayed by Cate Blanchett. Stuck on an obscure, disco-drenched planet called Sakaar without his iconic hammer, Thor must fight his way back to Asgard to stop Hela and save his people.

Waititi, who directed 2015’s “What We Do In The Shadows” and 2016’s “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” crafts an offbeat and relentlessly comedic film with “Ragnarok.”

Dripping with a colorful science-fiction style reminiscent of “Samurai Jack” cartoons, the film mirrors a comic book come to life. The film’s special effects and action scenes, bolstered by dazzlingly bright reds and blues, are spectacular.

The planets Thor finds himself on — particularly one ruled by an eccentric Jeff Goldblum — lend themselves to “Ragnarok’s” quirky sense of humor.

Travel smarter.

Waititi constructs a universe where comedy can be mined nearly everywhere.

Waititi excels in finding comedy in awkward situations. Several scenes in “Ragnarok” feature at least two characters in frame, so viewers can see both their reactions at once.

The improvisational dialogue adds comedic weight and unpredictability to the film. The dialogue emphasizes meandering phrases and prolonged pauses, prompting laughs from characters’ confusion and social awkwardness, particularly in scenes with Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk.

This humor, while consistently crowd-pleasing, sacrifices much of the potential emotional weight of the film. Waititi focuses on comedy rather than drama, similar to James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”

Numerous scenes throughout the film, particularly with Odin, Thor’s father, could have benefited from slower pacing. While undeniably entertaining, “Ragnarok” seems made to appeal to mass audiences, some with short attention spans.

Even Blanchett’s Hela, with her sharpened antlers and bloodthirsty persona, can’t be taken seriously. Any threatening aspects of her character are undercut in service of adding humor to the proceedings. The film’s comedic tone rarely pauses to emphasize her intimidating presence or the magnitude of her destruction.

While Thor’s journey to Asgard proves secondary to Waititi’s emphasis on comedy, the relationship between Thor and Hulk gets notable attention in “Ragnarok.” Their relationship remains the most endearing and compelling of the film’s characters.

If viewers approach “Thor: Ragnarok” expecting to be entertained, they won’t be disappointed. The film’s universal sense of fun overshadows the less-developed aspects of the plot and characters.

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The Index

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Community professionals weigh in on opioid epidemic at seminar

BY JUSTIN NEWTON Staff Writer

During the Super Bowl showing in the SUB Georgian Room, in February last year there was a commercial flashing on the screens that didn’t elicit its usual entertained reaction. Usually, somebody in the audience would be chuckling, but no one was laughing. Instead, a solemn silence pervaded the room. This commercial was about the very serious issue of drug abuse.

Readers might remember the public service announcement about the importance of keeping prescription drugs locked up, but they might not know about the problem with drug abuse in Missouri. The people in attendance at the Missouri Opioid Summit — hosted in the SUB Georgian Room Nov. 7 — left fully informed about the immediacy of this problem.

The Summit ran from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and featured presentations by experts in public health, law enforcement and health care. Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department, coordinated the presentations. Before the presentation, LeBaron said drugs are no longer just a problem for big cities.

“We’re seeing an epidemic in both suburban areas as well as rural areas,” LeBaron said. “So is it a big concern for Northeast Missouri? You bet it is.”

Randall Williams, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services director presented on the current state of opioid abuse in Missouri. He emphasized the impact the problem has on everyone, not just those who use the drugs.

“Statistically, about one in four people in this room would know somebody they cared and love very much who is affected,” Williams said.

He also said the problem is growing. He cited that Missouri suffered nearly a thousand narcotic overdose deaths in 2016, a 30 percent increase during 2015.

Douglas Dorley, Drug Enforcement Administration officer, discussed what the Department of Justice is doing to remedy the problem. He spoke about the DEA 360 program in which the DEA encourages community organizations and schools to take proactive steps against drugs. Dorley also talked about taking preventative measures in the medical field.

“We try to talk to the pharmaceutical companies, the doctors, the wholesale warehouses that are allowed to hold and distribute drugs, and try and

Mental Health

Tip of the Week

From University Counseling Services

talk to them about what we can do to change the way of thinking, and why things are a problem,” Dorley said.

The next speaker was Howard Weissman, the St. Louis area National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse executive director. When interviewed before the Summit, LeBaron pointed out that the NCAD is responsible for the drug abuse Super Bowl ads — making Weissman’s presence particularly significant. Weissman spoke about future plans to combat the situation, emphasizing awareness and prevention. He said some cases of drug abuse can be linked to a lack of people learning appropriate coping skills.

“Many of us, starting at a very young age, have a difficult time learning the skills to cope with the pain that life always doles out to us,” Weissman said.

Jessica Boucher, Kirksville Pharmacy Clinical Services director, spoke about Generation Rx, a program that provides online resources for drug abuse prevention education.

“I’m going to really emphasize the teen resources because this has to start with our youth,” Boucher said. “We have to educate our youth on safe medication practices.”

Sara Holzmeier, Department of Public Safety director, gave her views on the summit afterward and wanted to emphasize that Truman State University does not yet have an opioid problem.

“The trends that I see at Truman are more prescription pill related right now, not necessarily opioids,” Holzmeier said.

At the same time, she also emphasized the need to stay vigilant.

“Do I think it’s coming this way? Do I think it’ll probably hit Kirksville and Truman campus sometime? . . . it’s not if it’s going to come up this way, it’s when.”

However, the experience of James Beardsley, an audience member who stood up during the question and answer period, offered some hope.

“I’ve got a question, but I’d also like to make a sort of statement,” Beardsley said, gesturing to Judge Tom Redington, who participated in the panel discussion after the presentations. “I’d like to say to Judge, I got five years clean time. I’m a recovering addict and recovering criminal ...”

Beardsley received applause from the audience, ending the discussion on a positive note.

As the days get shorter in fall and winter, some individuals are unable to get enough natural sunlight. If you notice patterns of depression symptoms in fall and winter, you might consider trying light therapy. During light therapy, people spend time reading near a light in the morning that mimics outdoor light. After a few weeks of more frequent natural light, individuals often notice improvement with symptoms.

Women’s Resource Center hosts self defense class

Photos by Lawrence Hu/TMN The Women’s Resource Center hosted a self defense class on Nov. 6. The organizer of the event was sophomore Jasmine Jaquess.

The WRC partnered with Kirksville Taekwon-do for the event and it was open for men and women.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

AIDS memorial quilt hangs in Ophelia Parrish for the week

Photos by Daniel Deganhardt/TMN A piece of the famous NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt hangs in the OP lobby for the week. The quilt originally hung in a San Fransisco storefront in 1987.

The AIDS memorial quilt hanging in Ophelia Parrish adds to a greater effort to destigmatize the disease. Most of the panels on the quilt commemorate the life of someone who has died from AIDS-related causes.

Questions on The Quad Would you prefer a pumpkin spice latte or hot chocolate?

What are your plans for Thanksgiving break?

“Pumpkin spice latte.”

“Going to my aunt’s farm with my boyfriend for my family’s lunch, and then to his family’s for their dinner, and then working at both my jobs. I work at Central Elementary Vacation Station, which is like a before- and afterschool daycare for kids. And I work at Old Navy in Chesterfield.”

“Hot chocolate.”

“I will be headed home to St. Louis to work on grad school applications and teach a coding class at a local elementary school.”

Satiah Duval, sophomore

What upcoming events are you looking forward to on campus?

“I am going to a poetry reading

by Arisa White next week that I’m excited for. I’ve been to a slam poem reading once, so I’m interested in seeing how it compares.”

“I am looking forward to Abby Wambach, the Allison Coffelt reading, Up Til Dawn and SAB’s Holiday Lights. These are all in November [and] early December. ”

Kelly Mahaffy, senior

“Hot chocolate — it’s cheaper.”

“I’m staying in Kirksville and working over Thanksgiving break.”

“All the stuff they do around finals is really fun.”

“I’ll be spending most of Thanksgiving break here in Kirksville with my husband, and I have a huge stack of books I can’t wait to get through. But we’re heading home to spend the actual day with our families in STL.”

“I’m always super stoked for Phi Mu Alpha’s JazzFest. I’ve gone every year and it’s just one of the best events at Truman. Check it out. I think it’s in February.”

Grace Brewer, senior

“Depends on my mood — Not a huge fan of sugary drinks and would rather a cup of black coffee or some ginger tea.”

Anna Barger, junior

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The Index

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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Swimming preps for midseason

BY KENNEDY MARTIN Staff Writer The Truman State University men’s and women’s swimming teams took on the William Jewell College Cardinals last weekend, racing in unfamiliar conditions.

They competed at William Jewell and practiced in a short-course meters pool.

A short-course meters pool is 25 meters in length, in comparison to Truman’s short-course yards pool which is 25 yards in length — the standard size used throughout the NCAA. Short-course yards records are traditionally faster than short-course meters records, since yards are slightly shorter than meters. The 25 meter length of William Jewell’s pool converts to 27.34 yards — nearly 2 1/2 longer than the length of Truman’s pool. To put this into perspective, the time difference between a 100 yard freestyle and a 100-meter freestyle is typically around eight seconds — the 100-meter freestyle taking the eight seconds longer to complete. Truman’s teams knew this could be a challenge heading into the meet.

Interim head coach Jerod Simek said both teams did a good job adjusting to the different-sized pool. He said the extra 2 1/2 yards might have affected their performances. This especially applied to the men, losing some races by tenths of seconds.

Though the women’s team was able to pull out the win with a 168-94 finish, the men’s team came up short to the Cardinals with a final score of 151-111. Simek said losing is never fun, but he thinks good can come from it.

“It lit a fire under [the men’s team] for the next upcoming meet,” Simek said. “As well as for Senior Day in January when we face [William Jewell] again — this time in our own pool.”

The men won four events, including junior Sam Heveroh in the 50-meter freestyle, sophomore Lliot Gieseke in the 100-free, and junior JT Thayer in the 200-free. Truman’s 400-free relay team — composed of junior Caleb Kruse, Heveroh, Thayer and Gieseke — won with a time of 3:32.53.

Heveroh said the 400-free relay was exciting because it was neck and neck to the end. He said the team never gave up a second during that race but made their opponents work throughout the race. He said he equally enjoyed winning the relay and the 50-free, especially when competing against a conference rival like William Jewell.

Heveroh said the men’s team learned to race while extremely tired, and in a non-standard-sized pool.

As for the women’s team, Simek said the dominating win came down to execution. The women executed their race strategies well, which ultimately led to their success in this meet, regardless of pool size.

The women were victorious in 11 events with wins from senior Jasmine Roghair in the 800-meter freestyle at 9:23.89 and sophomore Mikayla Kempf in the 200-meter backstroke at 2:25.78.

Senior Nikki Sisson dominated the 200free and 400-free with times of 2:13.27 and 4:41.42, respectively.

Sisson said it was nice to focus on feel and strategy rather than times because they were competing on shortcourse meters in a dual meet. She said she was proud of the way her team performed under these circumstances.

All in all, Sisson said it was fun racing against GLVC competition once more before the team takes some time to rest and refocus their attention on the midseason TYR Invitational.

The Bulldogs will head to Evanston, Illinois, for the TYR invitational meet Nov. 17-19. Simek said they will have to do some preparation for it in practice.

“It’s going to be a puzzle for sure,” Simek said. “We’ll have some swimmers doing shorter distances and some doing longer, so we’ll see how they’ll be able to handle it for the [TYR] invite.”

Submitted Photo Members of the Truman State University equestrian team saddle up for a ride at sunset. The club meets for rides, practice and discussion at Truman’s University Farm, where they tend to 40 horses.

Equestrian team earns top-5 finish in Chicago hunt show

BY BROOKE BAILEY Staff Writer The Truman State University equestrian team isn’t just for experienced horseback riders — it’s also open to people who want to go the University Farm and ride horses for fun.

The Truman agricultural science department runs the University Farm, which has 40 horses and an annual breeding program.

Team president senior Riley Merdinian said in addition to the horses, there are about 10 stalls available for students to board their own horses.

Merdinian said competitions are hosted between September and May through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

The team rides in English- and Western-style competitions in hunt and stock seats — the English team competes in Zone 7, Region 5 and the Western team competes in Zone 7, Region 4. The team travels throughout Missouri, Illinois and Iowa for most of the competitions — unless a rider

qualifies for nationals — without the Truman horses.

“Before the show starts, we watch each of the horses warm up and then, before our class, we have to draw a horse’s name and that is the horse we will ride,” Merdinian said. “We have to ride that horse to the best of our ability based off of a short description and what we saw while it was warming up.”

“I am so lucky I can continue this sport at the college level and that Truman offers it as one of their club sports.”

- Junior Hannah Patton, Team Vice President Last weekend, the team traveled to Chicago to compete in a hunt seat in the English show. This means fences, jump and flat classes were riding around the ring simultaneously. Alumna and coach Emily Costello said the team did well this weekend, finishing in a

Submitted Photo The Truman State University hunt team was recognized as the reserve grand champions at the Northern Illinois University Hunt Show. Truman had one rider qualify for nationals and four riders win in their classes.

tie for fourth on Saturday and second on Sunday out of 10 teams.

After getting randomly assigned horses, Costello said the riders are judged based on their equitation — riding position — and how well they control an unfamiliar horse.

“Both English and Western teams are top 5 in our region,” Costello said. “We have five riders qualified for regionals in the spring and three more that are very close. We consistently send riders to zones or semifinals and have had multiple riders place in the top 10 at nationals.”

Vice president junior Hannah Patton said they practice through the cold weather. Patton said practices happen five days a week unless the temperature is 15 degrees or below. The cold makes the ground too slippery for the horses.

She said the team is fortunate to have a facility that allows them to ride inside during the winter.

Patton said she values her time on the equestrian team because she has been horseback riding since she was five years old.

When looking for colleges, she said finding one with an equestrian team was a priority, so she was happy when she found out Truman had one.

“I am so lucky I can continue competing in this sport at the college level and that Truman offers it as one of their club sports,” Patton said. “Being on this team has already given me so many amazing memories, and I can’t wait to see how many more I’ll have by the time I graduate.”

The team accepts anyone who is interested regardless of experience or riding background. The only thing someone needs to join is their own pair of boots — everything else can be provided.

The team accepts new members at the beginning of each fall semester. The next competition is in the Western stock seat Nov. 18-19 in Galva, Illinois.

Following that show, the team will take a break over from competition for the winter. While equestrian club meetings, evalutations and social gatherings will take place throughout the winter, competitions will resume in March.

Bullets rugby wins season finale, sets sights on spring

BY CURT WICHMER Staff Writer On Saturday, the Truman State University women’s club rugby team hosted Benedictine College. After much preparation, the Bullets took to the field in their final game of the semester and took the win 75-10.

Junior flanker Allie Phillips said a lot of the game’s scoring came from sudden bursts of play from the open field, rather than a slower battle toward the try zone. The Benedictine defense opened a lot of holes in their strategy, and with little coverage, the Bullets were able to score frequently in a short amount of time.

“Communication was really good, and it’s not all verbal communication — there’s a lot of body communication,” Phillips said. “Knowing where the other person on your team is going to be is really important in rugby.

Once we got past their line, they only had one person to make the tackle,

and if you got around her, you were free to score.”

Graduate student Breanna Durovic, Bullets head coach, said the team takes a season-long approach to prepare for games, with each practice building on the last. She said this was the case in the game against Benedictine. Although the team has a large amount of rookies, Durovic said the presence of returning players makes learning a lot easier and keeps a healthy atmosphere of self-improvement.

Durovic said one of the biggest hurdles for new players is the physicality of the sport, and having veterans to lead by example helps new players become acclimated to safely tackling others and getting tackled.

Despite the challenges at the beginning, she said it does not take long for new players to play well.

Durovic said the team has around 27 people and only one of them had rugby experience prior to Truman.

Rugby’s culture allows everyone to have a position, which gives all of its members playing time. She said new players usually need help adjusting to their positions.

“Trying to teach how to be an athlete can be a challenge,” Durovic said. “But it’s something our team embraces really well, and we have some really dedicated players who make it easy to coach.”

“As a vet, I am so incredibly proud of them.”

- Junior Autumn Dodd Junior Autumn Dodd, Bullets apparel and alumnae chairs, said a good deal of experienced players are graduating in fall 2017 and spring 2018, but the team is fortunate to have a large number of

rookies to carry the torch and to put greater emphasis on recruiting in the next few years. Recruitment can come in many forms — not only at planned events like the Activities Fair but also in smaller situations such as word of mouth or tossing a ball around on The Quad to get people’s attention.

Dodd said she was impressed with how the team played together because of the Benedictine team’s size and aggressiveness.

“A lot of us are rookies this semester,” Dodd said. “As a vet, I am so incredibly proud of them. “They picked up rugby very quickly, and this game really just shows how much they developed over the semester.”

Dodd said the Bullets have a short offseason and start practices again in January. In the meantime, Dodd said the athletes do workouts on their own to stay in physical condition for the next season.

The Index

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

DAVENPORT | Div. I transfer senior Remy joins freshman sister Tiffany for final season Continued from page 14 “I would say ... Remy right now shoots [the ball] a little more and is a little more consistent than Tiffany, but Tiffany is a really good distributer off the dribble — she sees the court really well,” Eagan said. “I think they know what each other’s going to do — I think that’s typical of sisters — so I’ve been playing them together and apart to keep them competitive with one each other.”

Both sisters also have to adjust to a brand new school and town. Remy Davenport said her transition has been pretty easy because she has been in college for three years already, but had to adjust to a brand new basketball program.

On the other hand, Tiffany Davenport said coming to college was culture shock to her, but having her sister with her has made the transition a lot easier.

“If it weren’t for Tiffany, I don’t know where I would have gone, honestly...”

- Senior Remy Davenport

Outside of basketball, Tiffany Davenport said her sister helped her understand how college works. Remy Davenport answered her questions and gave her simple tips on her first couple days of school, but Tiffany Davenport said the best part was never feeling homesick because she had Remy there with her.

“It’s definitely a lot on your plate right away, so I think it was a little overwhelming at first,” Tiffany Davenport said. “[The Truman basketball program] definitely helps you with time management and everything — so it’s gotten a lot easier — but having my sister here has been very helpful because I immediately already have a best friend here.”

The sisters even live together offcampus, despite Truman’s policy for freshman to live on campus. Since they are family, Tiffany is able to live with her sister. Remy Davenport said her and her sister’s personalities are similar and they like to hang out together when they don’t have basketball. She said they like to eat dinner together every night and watch movies.

Both sisters said the team is anxious to start this season because of the amount of talent on the team this year.

Remy Davenport said everybody is feeling very confident going into the season, and there is a good mixture of young talent and veterans on the team.

“We have a lot of experience on our team, and we have a lot to prove,” Remy Davenport said. “I feel like last year they felt like they could have done more but they didn’t — just the way their season ended — so I feel like everybody is ready to get going.”

The ‘Dogs played Drake University Nov. 5 for an exhibition game and lost 90-50. They begin regular season play Nov. 11 against Missouri Valley College at 5:30 p.m. at home in Pershing Arena.

Submitted Photo Senior guards Remy Davenport and freshman Tiffany Davenport joined Truman this year. They enjoy spending time together off the court.

YANCY | Freshman Sam Yancy becomes young standout for Truman volleyball

Submitted Photo Yancy braces for a block. She plays the full-rotation for the Bulldogs.

Continued from page 14 One role model she has always had is University of Wisconsin-Madison’s outside hitter Kelli Bates. Yancy said she is a shorter outside hitter in the Big Ten Conference, regularly facing taller women yet still managed more than 1,000 kills in her career. She said this motivated her to be better.

Yancy said her mindset each game is to go in with really high confidence. She said she realized how much more she could improve when she arrived at Truman.

Yancy said she has found her home at Truman, and it’s going to be an exciting four years to grow and mold into a great player. Yancy said she has high hopes for her future as a Bulldog.

“Even bigger than the game itself, my love for the team and the girls that I play with just shoots through the roof,” Yancy said. “The connection we have on the court doesn’t even begin to show how well we all fit together off of it. They really have all become my sisters.”

Natalie Brimeyer, junior team captain and middle hitter, said Yancy is energetic

Submitted Photo Yancy and junior middle hitter Natalie Brimeyer brace for a block in match earlier this season. Yancy plays the full rotation for Truman welcomesin her first year.

Lúnasa and guest soloist Ashley Davis as they present

2017 - 2018 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series

“Christmas from Ireland” 7:30 p.m. • Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 Baldwin Auditorium Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival, Lúnasa is known for their innovative and distinctive sound, featuring champion instrumentals and a driving rhythm section.

Tickets are $5.50 per person and will be available starting Nov. 10 at Edna Campbells in downtown Kirksville, at the Truman cashier’s window located on the first floor of McClain Hall, between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or online at lyceum.truman.edu.

For more information visit lyceum.truman.edu.

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and hardworking, which is contagious on the court. Brimeyer said Yancy has already become a vocal leader on the court and is constantly giving her teammates confidence.

“It’s exciting and rewarding to watch her grow as a volleyball player,” Brimeyer said. “I can’t wait to see how much more her volleyball skills can develop during her four years here.”

Head coach Ben Briney said Yancy has found success early in her career. A big difference between high school and college volleyball is the speed of the game. He said he never really knows how the incoming freshmen will pick up on the change in game pace.

While some struggle more than others, Briney said it has been a very quick adjustment for Yancy which has allowed her to be effective and efficient early in her collegiate athletic career.

“One of her biggest strengths is her fire,” Briney said. “That really helps her even when she is struggling to compete.”

Another key factor was the quality of

training she got in high school. Yancy came from a good high school program that prepared her for the collegiate game by competing at a higher level. Briney said the program knew that Yancy would pick up the speed of the game right away.

Because of her training before college, Yancy didn’t have to go through quite as many growing pains as many freshmen do. Although she has had to work through a few trials and technical changes of her own, she has done a good job of smiling through struggles.

“She’s someone that [at] every point is competing and that really has fun and enjoys playing the game of volleyball,” Briney said. “So those have been big strengths that have helped her keep a smile on her face.”

Briney said Yancy has already made a huge impact on the Bulldog volleyball team in just the short time she has been here, so there are high hopes for what is to come in the future. He said he thinks that Yancy has the passion and work ethic to become a player the team depends on in the future.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

The Index

11

Truman welcomes return of NJCAA National Champion

Submitted Photo Redshirt sophomore quarter back Jaden Barr fires a slant pass to sophomore running back Jordan Salima. Barr had 284 total yards in Truman’s victory.

‘Dogs rally off three in a row

The Truman State University football team won three games in a row after losing six of the first seven matchups of the season. The Bulldog winning streak includes last weekend’s victory against one of the team’s main competitors, Southwest Baptist University.

Truman’s resurgence in the GLVC has been on both sides of the ball, with the team outscoring opponents 83-33 in its last three games. In that time, the Bulldogs have won by at least 10 points in each game. Before the winning streak, Truman was outscored 139-211.

Photos by Rachel Steinhoff/TMN Above: Sophomore runningback Jordan Salima shoots through a gap in the Bearcat Defense. Salima rushed for 77 yards.

Right: Defensive backs senior Jordan Brown and sophomore Taylor Manes celebrate a big fourth quarter play.

Sophomore defensive lineman Sam Reeves makes a tackle in the midfield.

Reeves leads the conference in sacks and is third in tackles for loss.

Submitted Photo Redshirt sophomore guard Brodric Thomas recommitted to Truman after winning a junior college national championship.

BY JAMIE FOWLE Staff Writer In 2015, Truman State University men’s basketball head coach Chris Foster thought he was getting a pretty good recruit as he welcomed Bolingbrook, Illinois, native Brodric Thomas to campus for his first semester as a Bulldog. The Bolingbrook graduate averaged 17 points, six assists and four rebounds per game in high school, earning recognition as Fourth-Team All-State, First-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-Area, and helping the team get to the best record in school history.

Head coach Chris Foster said he began recruiting Thomas during his junior year of high school after colleagues recommended that he go and watch him.

“After watching him play, I really loved the way he played,” Foster said. “He was a very unselfish player on a very successful high school team. He is a very skilled player and has a great understanding of how to play the game and always had a way of stepping up for his team when it mattered the most.”

Once at Truman, Thomas said he was determined to come in and make an immediate impact.

In just a few short months, that vision became less clear for the freshman. During preseason conditioning, Thomas said he heard a pop and was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his hip. Official practices and the opening day of the 2015-16 season were quickly approaching, and the injury called for a re-evaluation of his athletic career. In fact, for some, that kind of injury would be the end of their athletic career.

It is often difficult to come back from injuries, and Thomas said the transition was even more difficult for him while he was trying to adjust to the speed and strength of the game. He said he stuck it out, using a redshirt to rehab his hip and get his mind in the right state of determination to make a comeback. At the end of the year, facing academic eligibility challenges, Thomas had to transfer, choosing Southwestern Community College as his new home for his academic and athletic career. Foster helped Thomas in the transition process, and made sure he would find a

place that would fit and challenge him.

Little did Thomas know this would be one of the most influential years of his life. Not only did his physique change as he grew several inches and gained roughly fifty pounds — his game changed, and he added some major hardware to his trophy case.

In his redshirt freshman season at Southwestern Community College, Thomas helped his team capture a national championship with a 36-1 record. Thomas was named MVP of the NJCAA National Tournament, and he raked in accolades of First-Team AllConference, Second-Team AllAmerican, All-Region XI Tournament Team, and was a three-time ICCAC Conference Player of the Week. Thomas excelled as one of the top guards in the nation in the NJCAA, and coaches took notice. Thomas said the season gave him experience and maturity on the court, and coaches at all levels were hot on the recruiting trail for the JUCO standout.

The process ended up coming full circle for Thomas. In August 2017 — one national championship and 36 wins later — Thomas was re-recruited by the Bulldogs, and returned to the familiar space of Pershing Arena, surrounded by the familiar faces of Truman teammates and coaches he’d bonded with two years before.

Foster said now more than ever, Thomas is a proven winner. He said his winning mentality and versatility to succeed no matter the circumstances, combined with the leadership experience he gained last season were qualities he wanted to welcome back in his program.

Thomas had several opportunities to play at bigger name schools after his redshirt freshman season, but he said he felt most at home with Foster and the Truman program who eagerly welcomed him back.

“Coach Foster did a good thing for me and believed in me,” Thomas said. “He saw my potential and encouraged me in this whole process, and to that, I felt a loyalty. I owed it to him and my team.”

Thomas said he is excited for the opportunity to be a contributing factor this season for the Truman program. This year, the team has the same strength as it does weakness — being young.

Thomas said this season poses a challenge because the team lacks older players that can help mentor the incomers or less experienced players. Yet at the same time, Thomas said having a roster full of underclassmen creates exciting possibilities and will be a strength for the Bulldogs as they have the chance to grow together as a team and build better chemistry each year.

After all his experiences thus far, Thomas said he wouldn’t change a thing about his experiences as a collegiate athlete.

“The sport of basketball has shaped every part of the man I am today,” Thomas said. “It runs in my family genes as my mom, dad and sister all played college basketball at big-name schools like Ohio State and Michigan State.”

Thomas will have the opportunity to continue to make a name for himself as the redshirt sophomore and the rest of the Bulldog men tip off at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 against Trevecca Nazarene University.

ATHLETE o f

t h e

w e e k

After being honored during Senior Day on Saturday, senior outside hitter Jasmine Brown recorded 17 kills in Truman State University volleyball’s win against William Jewell College. This is Brown’s second-highest kills in a game this season after her 22 kills Sept. 23 against McKendree University. She only made two errors on 36 attempts, leading to her .417 hitting percentage.

Jasmine Brown

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

november

10

Friday

Volleyball

7 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Missouri University of Science and Technology

11

saturday

Football

1 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo. vs. McKendree University

Volleyball

3 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo. vs. Rockhurst University

Men’s Basketball

5:15 p.m. in St. Louis vs. Trevecca Nazarene University

Women’s Basketball

5:30 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Missouri Valley College

12

sunday

Wrestling

Noon in Columbia, Mo. at Missouri Duals

Men’s Basketball

1 p.m. in St. Louis vs. Cedarville University

13

Monday

Women’s Basketball

5:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. vs. Augustana University

15

Wednesday

Men’s Basketball

7 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Lindenwood University

Sisters reunite at Truman

BY STEPHANIE HULETT Staff Writer After three years of being separated on the court, the Davenport sisters of Blue Springs, Missouri, will be reunited for one final season as the pair joins forces with the Truman State University women’s basketball team.

After committing and signing in November 2017 to begin her collegiate career at Truman, freshman Tiffany Davenport found out the following spring that her older sister would be joining her at Truman. Senior Remy Davenport played her first three years at University of Nebraska Omaha and found out she was able to graduate early. Remy Davenport graduated with a business degree and came to Truman to begin her Master of Arts in Leadership.

“I was in a good place to move on,” Remy Davenport said. “I wanted to start my master’s, and my sister was committed here, so I decided, what the heck — might as well spend my last year playing with her if I can.”

At UNO, Remy Davenport said she saw significant playing time as she started in every game her final two seasons as a Maverick. During her career, she averaged 9.4 points per game and led the team in steals her final season, at 41.

When deciding where to go for her master’s degree, Remy Davenport said her sister was a big reason why she chose Truman.

“If it weren’t for Tiffany, I don’t know where I would have gone, honestly,” Remy Davenport said. “Since she was coming here, I definitely thought if I were going to transfer, this is where I would come if I could.”

Tiffany Davenport said people joked with her and asked if she planned to go to UNO to play with her sister. She said she would reply that she wanted to do her own thing. Then she said her sister dropped subtle hints to her that she was coming to Truman, and when they asked the coaches about it, they said, “Family is always welcome.”

Head coach Amy Eagan said she was more than happy to have both Davenport

Submitted Photo Guards senior Remy and freshman Tiffany Davenport pose after their first collegiate game together. Remy transferred from University of Nebraska-Omaha. sisters as Bulldogs. She said she knew the program was getting a good player and person in Tiffany Davenport. She said Remy Davenport coming to play with her sister was a bonus “We knew Remy could immediately bring some leadership and ability to shoot,” Eagan said. “We were really excited to get her as well.”

Tiffany Davenport said she is excited to get to play with her sister one last season.

She is a point guard and Remy Davenport is a shooting guard, so she said she thinks they complement each other very well.

Eagan said they both have a really good feel for the game and have their own strengths, which mesh well together.

See DAVENPORT, page 10

Wrestling adopts fearless mindset

BY PATRICK PARDO Staff Writer

Submitted Photo Freshman outside hitter Sam Yancy (far right) prepares for the next point at the net. Yancy has become a leader for the Bulldogs.

Freshman Yancy plays allaround role for Bulldogs

BY ASHLEY MURPHY Staff Writer In her inaugural season, freshman outside hitter Sam Yancy is playing like a veteran member of the Truman State University volleyball team.

Yancy started all four years in high school and still holds the record for 1,457 career kills at Howards Grove High School in Wisconsin. During her high school career, she was awarded honors such as Big East Conference Player of the Year, secondteam All-State, WIAA All-Tournament Team, unanimous first-team All-Conference, and the team’s offensive award.

Some of her highs this season include 19 digs against Drury University, 15 kills against the University of Southern Indiana and 3 aces against Saginaw Valley State University.

Yancy said her love for volleyball began when she was in fifth grade, much of which can be credited to her mom, who was VOLUME 109

ISSUE 11

her first coach and shared her passion for the game with Yancy.

Even though they’re related, Yancy said her mother is completely honest and critiques Yancy so she performs to her potential.

Because Yancy is from Wisconsin, her family doesn’t get many opportunities to watch her play. However, her mom always livestreams her games and offers advice and support along the way. Like many athletes and their sports, Yancy said volleyball has become an oasis of comfort in the craziness of her life.

“Volleyball, to me, has become an escape from everything else going on in my life and really helps me now more than ever now that I’m in college,” Yancy said. “I couldn’t imagine not playing volleyball in college.”

Throughout high school, her coach taught her to be disciplined and what her role was on the court. She said her high school career taught her how to deal with being on a larger stage.

See YANCY, page 10 tmn.truman.edu

The Battle of the Alamo was a battle with insurmountable odds for the Texans who fought. Head wrestling coach David Schutter calls the Truman State University wrestling team “The Alamo of the DII.” Wrestling at the collegiate level differs from the high school level because college wrestling is more individual-oriented rather than teamoriented. Schutter said each college wrestler should be wrestling with passion. The physical nature and embracing the grind is part of the sport, so each individual has to have selfmotivation to start their day. “[The wrestlers] have heart — they are willing to compete with anyone,” Schutter said. “They share the mindset of the commander. I’m not scared of anybody. We’re going compete with anyone.”

Schutter said this year’s schedule is more difficult than last year’s — where they went 8-16 — because Truman wrestling wants to play against the toughest competition, so its wrestlers can develop their skills.

He said the wrestlers could be challenged less, but that would not prepare them for the second half of the schedule when they compete in the GLVC dual and regional meets.

Truman was picked to finish seventh out of seven in the GLVC this season, but the GLVC Championships will be one team short this year with the ineligibilty of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

After having 22 wrestlers last season, this year’s roster is at 15 after four seniors graduated, including alumni J.J. Dorrell, Rafael Lopez, Dustin McClintock and Andrew Still.

However, McClintock is returning to Truman wrestling as the student assistant coach.

Schutter said he is not worried about replacing leadership because Truman wrestling has always had great leaders in its program. The three captains are seniors Luke Komotos and Drew Rentschler and junior Sam Reeves.

“We just have a good structure where people know they’re gonna move up,” Schutter said. “Part of coaching is just setting up structure where people know what to expect day in and day out.”

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Rentschler is in the 141-149 weight class and plans on graduating in May. Rentschler is credited with Truman’s first-ever official GLVC victory after a 12-10 win by decision.

Reeves weighs in at 197 pounds.

He spends the offseason as a member of the Truman football team, leading the Bulldog defense as a defensive lineman. He said he plans on getting a second attempt at a NCAA Wrestling Super Regional where he lost in the consolation quarterfinals in overtime ending his season at 2312 last year.

Komotos is in the 165-174 weight class. He has a 3-28 career record going into the season, and has wrestled all four years at Truman.

“I feel we are a group of highly motivated individuals and have potential to make something great out of what we have,” Komotos said.

“I’ve learned a lot these past few years, and I feel prepared.”

Komotos said wrestling can wear down a person’s body and mind, but he reminds himself to have a positive mindset to prevent attrition. He said he is ready to lead by example and put all of his effort into his final season.

This year, the team has picked up Div. I transfer freshman Will Tindal from Boise State University after it cut its wrestling program.

The Owensville, Missouri, native is a three-year letterwinner and back-to-back MSHSAA State Championship winner, at 5-foot-11 in the 182 pound weight class. He won the championships in his sophomore and junior seasons going a perfect 41-0 as a junior. Tindal will also join the football team this fall as a redshirt running back. “[Tindal] provides the team with the ability to push each other in practice,” Schutter said. “We are excited that he is willing to wrestle with us, even though he knows we cannot offer what other schools can.”

After a slow start against Upper Iowa University last Thursday, the Bulldogs recorded their first lost, 51-3 on the road. The team plans to get back on track when it will face off against the University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri and Missouri Valley College Nov. 12 at the Missouri Duals in Columbia, Missouri. @TrumanMediaNet

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