March 26, 2015

NEWS

FEATURES

SPORTS

City Council candidates participated in open forum Monday see page 6

Student-produced

Football begins spring practice at Stokes Stadium

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Truman see page 7

EXCELLENCE SINCE 1909

see page 11

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT-PRODUCED NEWSPAPER

Ordinance clarifies city right-of-way

State funding (in millions of dollars) for 4-year Missouri colleges and universities has yet to reach pre-recession levels

$816 $784 $767

$694

$688

ROBERT OvERmANN

$768

Current budget proposal as of March 10

$743

tmn.truman.edu

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be an enforceable offense, and to offer -

$674 Source: Missouri Budget Project

Mo. higher education still lacks funding

By TAylOR lAy

aged mailboxes, sets a compensatory amount for damages to mailbox enclo-

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Staff Reporter

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requirements for address numbers.

million in performance-based funding -

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rural issues and different opinions

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ual income tax, sales tax and cor-

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affordable education.”

same amount of funds, dollar for

and-four-year public institutions of

area by location because some streets road clearing operations.

duced, causing increases in tuition.

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an anti-education sentiment among “If you support public educa-

landscape timbers, planters and more accidentally damaged during city opera-

year colleges increased by 13 per-

See ORDiNANCE, page 3

Ryle system repairs continue

By AUSTiN HORNBOSTEl

Despite recent system repairs in Ryle Hall, some -

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student rooms.

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Index

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make sure our budgets are adequate to get us VOLUME 106

ISSUE 23

tmn.truman.edu

www.facebook.com/TrumanIndex

See RylE, page 3 @trumanindex

© 2015

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

NEWS

Students participate in Humans vs. Zombies

IN BRIEF

Neighbors United meets with State Representatives and Senators Members of the local grassroots organization Neighbors United travelled to Jefferson City, Missouri, March 18 to meet with elected officials at the Capitol building.

Landowners from Adair, Schuyler, Knox, Marion and Shelby counties expressed their concerns about Ameren Transmission of Illinois’ proposed Mark Twain Transmission Project.

Neighbors United formed in response to the project — a proposed 100-mile high-voltage power line that would run from the Iowa-Missouri border to Palmyra, Missouri — with the goal of protecting landowners’ rights and stopping the project in its entirety.

Neighbors United encouraged Representatives to support recently introduced legislation that addresses the use of eminent domain for transmission projects.

Noyce Scholars Program accepting student applications

MacKenna Palazza/Index

Humans vs. Zombies participants gather on The Quad. Humans vs. Zombies is a campus-wide version of tag played once per semester during which “human” participants fight off “zombie” participants.

The Truman Noyce Scholars Program for Secondary Mathematics and Physics Teaching is accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year.

The program is funded by the National Science Foundation and provides scholarships to future educators who plan to teach high school mathematics and physics classes. Students interested in applying can visit the Truman Noyce Scholars office in MG 3164 or visit its website at noyce.truman.edu. The application deadline is May 1.

STUDENT SENATE IN BRIEF

Election packets are available for students interested in running for Student Senate and can be found in the Student Senate office.

The Senate read a money motion for no more than $150 from reserve funds to be allocated for the Student Senate Spring Retreat.

The Senate passed “Rules Governing the Environmental Sustainability Fee.” The Senate passed a “Resolution Endorsing the Action Plan Put Forward by President Paino.”

MacKenna Palazza/Index

Players run around The Quad during this semester’s Humans vs. Zombies game. Human players are allowed to use Nerf blasters and socks to render zombie players incapable of tagging them, according to game rules.

The Senate Diversity Committee is tracking the progress of a gender neutral housing bill at the state level in Jefferson City, Missouri.

CRIME REPORTS DPS & KPD

Serving the University community since 1909

Staff Editor-in-Chief Robert Overmann Managing Editor Anna Grace News Editor Bethany Boyle Assistant News Editor Austin Hornbostel Features Editor Grace Bueckendorf Assistant Features Editor Katey Stoetzel Sports Editor Devin Gillespie Assistant Sports Editor Emily Wichmer Opinions Editor Megan Archer Copy Chief Rose vonHatten Assistant Copy Chief Megan Robison Design Chief Joe Wright News Staff Clayton Berry, Keaton Robertson, Lucas Meyrer, Johanna Burns, Taylor Lay, Bene Clear, Drew Orscheln Features Staff Courtney Kauffman, Emily Ploch Sports Staff Henry Janssen, Sam Stewart, Sarah Hicks, Brooke Johnson, Courtney Strait, Giang Lanh Cartoonist Megan Archer Copy Editors Alex Reiser, Lindsey Reynolds, Jessica Williams, Nat Wrhel, Madeline Kaleel, MacKenna Palazza, Holly Fisher, Julianna Foster, Catherine O’Mara, Lauren Beasley Designers Noah Dayson, Clarissa Todd, Connor Frazier, Trevor Stark Photo Editor Trevor Stark Photographers Trung Vo, Deja Bolton, Athena Geldbach, Gabriel Gowen, Claire Nipper, Marissa Billmeyer, MacKenna Palazza Marketing Manager Josh Gilmore Marketing Representatives Drake Gens, Emily Fitzgerald, Amanda Atwell Adviser Don Krause

3/23 Burglary reported at the 1400 block 3/21 Theft reported at the 500 block of S. of S. Florence St. Franklin St. 3/23 Domestic disturbance reported at 3/20 Vandalism reported at the 1200 the 500 block of Meadow Crest Dr. block of W. Michigan St. 3/22 Assault reported at the 600 block of 3/20 Burglary reported at the 700 block S. First St. of E. Harrison St. 3/21 Domestic disturbance reported at 3/20 Vandalism reported at the 2200 the 2100 block of S. Marion St. block of N. Baltimore St. 3/21 Harrassment reported at the 1100 block of S. Baltimore St.

3/19 Theft reported at the 700 block of Woodwind Court.

3/21 Fraud reported at the 300 block of E. Hickory St.

3/17 Armed robbery reported at the 1000 block of E. Jefferson St.

Mark your calendar Preparing for a Career in Software Engineering 6-7 p.m.

March 30 Violette Hall

Rob Dickerson, a software developer and engineering manager at Square, will present advice about developing technical skills and practical tips for obtaining an internship or full-time job in the software industry, based upon how one is perceived by employers.

Nerd Pop and the Performance of Stigma

7-8 p.m.

March 31 Del and Norma Robison Planetarium Edward P. Comentale, English professor and Director of the College of Arts and Humanities Institute at Indiana University, will give a presentation that prompts attendees to question what it means to act like a nerd in American culture.

Sexual Health Awareness Week March 30-April 3

Sexual Health Awareness Week will be a collaborative event between the HLTH 260 Human Sexuality Course and various campus organizations, including the Women’s Resource Center, PRISM and the Student Public Health Association. Events for the week include educational presentations pertaining to contraceptive options and STI testing and information.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

College Republicans to host speaker Michael Reagan

CITY ORDINANCE BANS OBSTRUCTIONS,OFFERS MAILBOX REPAIR RIGHT-OF-WAY OBSTRUCTIONS PROHIBITED

By JOHANNA BURNS Staff Reporter

Common obstructions:

DEBRIS REDEFINED, EXCESS DEBRIS PROHIBITED:

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Railroad ties Boards Landscape timbers Pottery Barrel planters Rocks larger than 3/4 inch in size Landscaping bricks and stone *Enforcement begins March 17, 2016.

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Debris definition now includes:

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Ordinance violations include:

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leaves and grass clippings

-Depositing large amounts of debris onto sidewalks or into the curb and gutter area.

-Discharging enough debris into streets or gutters to plug city storm water drains.

College

Republicans,

said

a lot of students from cam-

Republicans,

Funds

Allot-

Americans Foundation, an

speakers to campus.

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Source: Kirksville City Ordinance No. 12149

ORDINANCE |

presence of College Repub-

Continued from page 1

its name out on campus, and

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placement and compensation

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City Code. council meeting minutes. dents discarding grass clippings

idents are responsible for maintenance of mailbox enclosures

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and sets city compensation at

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Contrary to recent rumors,

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“The sewer trains get really clogged up with grass and trash that people just toss into the street, then somebody has to come clean them out.

That costs them and their neighbors on taxes.”

Index desk in the General Services Building. Schneider said the Physical Plant makes sure budgets are adequate for repairs.

-Mayor Glen Moritz -

address number requirements to Councilmembers Jerry Mills,

Councilmember Robert Rus-

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Editor’s note: Councilmember Steele sent his comments via email., be-

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Don’t dismiss other views

Kirksville businesses are crucial Members of the Kirksville community gathered to hear discussion from City Council candidates Monday for the upcoming April 7 City Council election. A panel of four community members presented questions to the candidates at the forum about issues we, the Editorial Board, think should be discussed throughout the city, local businesses, schools and universities.

The four issues presented were downtown revitalization, the city budget, bringing jobs to Kirksville and examining the positive aspects of Kirksville as well as those that could stand to be improved. Each candidate presented their suggestions to better the city with respect to these areas.

We would like to comment on several of the candidates’ positions on how to bring jobs to Kirksville and other ways the city could improve.

Incumbent candidate Robert Russell said to draw people and businesses to the city, citizens should be good ambassadors for Kirksville. We recognize some students often do not speak well of Kirksville because of a perceived lack of culture based on the absence of certain retailers and chain restaurants.

Although it might be nice to have the hottest new burger joint in town, we implore students to appreciate the city for what it has to offer, not insult it for what it does not. While Kirksville does not have every fast food and retail option, it does sport many eclectic small businesses with distinct flavors and flair which chains do not have. We encourage students to explore beyond their comfort zones and take in all that Kirksville has to offer.

Students’ college years will be gone in a flash and students might one day regret never visiting the city’s antique malls, coffee shops and historic buildings.

Candidate Kevin Alm said he would like to see more events and activities on The Square. We challenge the university communities to strive toward this goal as well. If there were incentives for groups to use venues on The Square, and if information for those venues and opportunities were made more readily available to student organizations, this proposal could be one step closer to becoming a reality.

Likewise, we agree the city should work to entice its own citizens downtown with community gatherings like concerts, fundraisers and block parties that would be open to everyone and draw customers to businesses located on The Square.

When asked about the current city budget and how some funds might be better allocated, candidate Betty McLane-Iles said she thinks the city should invest in fixing the numerous potholes that dot the streets of Kirksville.

We support McLane-Iles’ suggestion — there are roads in dire need of repair in many places throughout the city, and this would encourage travel to areas that might currently be avoided by some citizens and students because of the poor road conditions.

Candidate Phillip Biston said during Monday’s forum he thinks one area Kirksville could improve is in the amount of collaboration between the city and Kirksville’s student population. He said a great way to involve students is for businesses to hire students so students can hone their skills and apply their education.

We see great merit in Biston’s suggestion. If there are opportunities for jobs and internships in Kirksville, students are more likely to stay during the summer, and even commit to living and working in the city after graduation.

Many Truman graduates that have remained in Kirksville are self-employed small business owners that contribute special businesses to the city. The city also might do well to develop programs to encourage students to start their own businesses in Kirksville, because this seems to be a common reason for Truman graduates to make Kirksville their permanent home after college.

Together the city and student populations of local universities could play a part in breathing new life into Kirksville’s economy and rediscovering a close-knit sense of community.

Editor’s note: Candidates for the April 7 City Council election are Kevin A. Alm, Betty McClainIles, Robert Russell and Phillip Biston.

Voters can register for the election or find a polling place at the Missouri Secretary of State’s website, sos.mo.gov

Editorial Policy

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

The first copy is free, and additional copies cost 50 cents each.

The production offices are located in Barnett Hall. 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 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 majority vote. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor and opinions editor.

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.

Sarah Muir It sure would be nice if we could surround ourselves with people who only ever agreed with us, but since we don’t live in a world like that, we should embrace confrontation and the uncomfortable disagreements that can arise.

When dealing with people who disagree with you, dismissing them or the experience is unhelpful.

Instead, learn to engage and appreciate moments of disagreement, because this is the source of knowledge and understanding.

First, we have to stop avoiding disagreements.

That’s not to say you should pick a fight in every situation. The cliché of choosing your battles is a wise way to live your life, but choosing to fight no battles is just as bad as fighting every battle. Agreeing for the sake of avoiding an argument is counterproductive to learning. You are not going to change people’s deeply held opinions and beliefs during the span of a conversation, but you can learn about different points of view and express your own insights.

We avoid disagreements because they’re uncomfortable and might lead to fights. However, there’s no reason a difference in opinion should fundamentally change a relationship, unless you’re dealing with people who think that lace bodycon dress is black

and blue, in which case you need to cut those people out of your life entirely. Learning to accept that we all have different experiences and opinions is key to getting along with people.

UmmeKulsoom Arif wrote in the Feb. 26 Index about her experience confronting different religions in a column titled “Religion Shouldn’t Be Forcibly Changed.”

Instead of walking away from someone promoting their religion, she decided to talk to that person about her own religion. This is a great example of discussing differences instead of ignoring them. However, she goes on to dismiss the experience as one person forcing religion on another. This is the attitude we need to change.

Discussion or debate should not be considered offensive. When you truly believe something to be true, of course you are going to try and convince people to believe that it is true as well. This is not the same as personally attacking and offending people who disagree — it’s an example of persuasive conversation and argumentation.

These moments should be celebrated as examples of learning and growth. The people in the above scenario were able to learn more about a religion they might not otherwise have had much contact with. This fosters understanding and can lead to interesting debates that force us to engage with our beliefs in a new way.

Beliefs also should be open to change, and confronting disagreements can be a catalyst for that change. It can be uncomfortable to have our ideas challenged, but it’s the only way this type of growth can happen. Imagine if you still believed the same things you did in middle school — those opinions would not be very informed.

Sarah Muir is a junior political science major from Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Guest Column

Community involvement is rewarding

Glen Moritz I consider it a privilege to be the Mayor of Kirksville. It’s given me opportunities to be an influential leader that most citizens will not have and affect changes. However, it’s a position I did not think I would reach growing up as a child. That is because I encountered abuse as a child, so childhood mainly was about survival.

I remember, when away at college, I read a poster on someone’s dorm room wall that said, “Bloom where you are planted.” That always should be true of each of us — wherever you find yourself living, get involved.

Many of you are involved on campus — with religious activities, your jobs and your studies. It’s easy simply to follow one pursuit. Be as balanced with involvement as your time allows you to be. Author Janie Jasin said, “To enjoy the journey is to leap into people’s lives. To enjoy the journey is to give until the stretch is a sacrifice. The question always is: what is it in life that will pull you out of your seat to be brave, risk and serve?”

Letters Policy The Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University community. Letters to the editor are due by noon the Monday before publication and become property of the Index. Submissions are subject to editing, must contain a well-developed theme and cannot exceed 500 words except at the discretion of the Editorial Board.

Letters containing personal attacks will not be published.

All letters to the editor must be typed and submitted by e-mail to index.opinionseditor@gmail.com or at http:// tmn.truman.edu/theindex. Include the words “letter to the editor” in the subject line of the e-mail. The Index does not publish anonymous letters to the editor. No individual may submit more than one letter per week.

As I look back at my last two years on the Kirksville City Council, I’ve found the above to be very true. My journey into politics is one of, well, amazing circumstances. My son died during November 2011 in Seattle. As I was moving away from there — where I had raised my children and lived for 33 years — a good friend said to me, “You’re going to be mayor of your hometown someday.” I thought he was pretty kooky for saying such a thing, as I’d never been involved in politics.

But I dove in, filed my candidacy, won the election, and rolled up my sleeves and went to work.

It’s been so rewarding to participate in all of the progressive and exciting changes I’ve been a part of — the passage of the human rights ordinance, combating the methamphetamine problem with the prescription pseudoephedrine ordinance and Kirksville building its first dog park. I continue to work with city leadership to face the challenges of economic development, humane shelter, etc.

You can participate in many of these efforts — volunteer your time with the local humane shelter, join the College Democrats or the College Republicans, be a part of Master Gardeners and help maintain our parks, or take an internship with City Hall. The Ameren project is worthy of your attention. One can start with attending our city meetings, asking questions of those involved and seeing how you can fit in. I only wish I’d had the foresight when I was your age to give my time to civic activities. Why have those regrets as I do?

Glen Moritz is the Mayor of Kirksville, Mo.

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Contact To submit corrections or to contact the editor, email index.editor@gmail.com, call 660-785-4449 or submit a letter via tmn.truman.edu/theindex.

Interns deserve payment

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

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The internship, though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, must be similar to training that would be given in an educational environment.

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Many United States students are offered an unfair employment deal — work for no pay. Students know about these programs, called unpaid internships. They often are thought of as innocent programs created to help students and recent graduates, but some of us find them more sinister.

Internships once were an opportunity for potential employees to see what work was like at a particular company without making a major commitment. Although not paid, interns gained experience they could use to develop their skills and build a résumé. There was even the chance of a job offer at the end of the ordeal. However, as the current economic crisis continues to reverberate across our society, companies are relying more and more on interns as a source of free labor.

People aged 18-24 today work as interns in significantly higher numbers than their parents’ generation, according to a poll by the National Union of Students and YouGov. The poll shows that 30-40 years ago, only two percent of people in this age bracket became an intern during their lives — now the number is 20 percent. In addition, one in three internships are unpaid, according to the Sutton Trust during November 2014. Instead of offering compensated entry-level jobs to new members of the working class, our economy has transitioned to offering unpaid internships.

An angry citizen might ask, “Do unpaid internships violate minimum wage laws?” The courts have ruled in recent lawsuits that many do.

Condé Nast, the corporation that publishes Vanity Fair, The New Yorker and more, recently paid $5.8 million in a class action lawsuit, according to

The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern, and on occasion its operations actually might be impeded.

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The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff.

Will Chaney

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The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern.

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The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship.

Unpaid internships must meet these criteria to be legal

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The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the duration spent of the internship.

Source: dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf

a November 2014 Business Insider. The company agreed it had mistreated 7,500 interns by withholding compensation and shut down its entire internship program after the suit was settled. However nice this might sound to an individual upset about unpaid internships, we must keep in mind the settlement only gives each exploited intern about $775, according to the same article. This is a laughable sum for the hours interns put in.

In addition to breaking the law, unpaid internships are more feasible for the rich than for the poor. While working for free, interns still require food, water, shelter and so on. Those born into wealthy families find surviving during an unpaid internship a lot easier than those born into lowerand middle-income families who cannot ask their families for assistance. For instance, 74 percent of British families say they cannot afford to send family members to unpaid internships, according to a December 2014 The Guardian article.

Even the benefits we used to get from internships are slipping away. For example, college students are not better off in the job market if they participate in an unpaid internship, according to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers during 2013. This report examines the percentage of college graduates who are offered

at least one job upon graduating. The hiring rate for graduates who had completed an unpaid internship was 37 percent, only two percent higher than those who hadn’t done an internship.

The people who run our economy tell us internships are a necessary step to enter the workforce, but this simply is not true. Interns do not give away their labor in exchange for a stronger résumé — they are laboring away for much less of a boost than they imagine.

As a Truman student, the pressure to work for free as an intern is very visible — internship advertisements easily are found during a quick walk through any academic building. Our society even praises people who land work as unpaid interns, rewarding them with a pat on the back similar to getting a job. However, we should see unpaid internships for what they are — not as an opportunity, but as a scam put on by companies looking to lower production costs.

Will Chaney is a freshman economics major from Bridgeton, Mo.

Do you think unpaid internships are fair?

Internships should not be as strict if they are unpaid.

If it’s in something you want to do in the future, the experience is fair.

If you’re doing quality work, you should get paid for it.

Some job markets are very competitive, so they can help.

In general, it’s a little ridiculous.

Ashley Gaines Junior

Elizabeth Williams Junior

Tyler Chambers Sophomore

Meagan McGlasson Senior

Mental illness shouldn’t be romanticized

UmmeKulsoom Arif Someone once told me they wished they had depression because they’d be just like Sylvia Plath. Plath committed suicide by sticking her head in an oven and left behind two small children.

That’s not something you should aspire toward.

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at 13, and while I am by no means an expert on mental illness, I like to think I’m not the only one who hates being told it’s “romantic” and “poetic” when I talk about anxiety or depression. A wedding is romantic.

A sonnet is poetic. Depression is not.

In another incident, an acquaintance and I got into a spirited debate after he told a mutual friend her schizophrenic hallucinations were visions, and she didn’t need to get them treated because they were like superpowers.

These are not isolated incidents.

Websites like Tumblr are full of blogs that promote self-harm and suicide, despite violating the website’s terms of content rules. Blogs like these often post images of scars from selfharm or fake suicide notes. One of the most popular themes is “thinspiration” that comes with images of skinny bodies and text posts saying, “I hate my thighs” or “I’m fat and worthless.” These images and text posts, coupled with societal pressure to maintain a thigh gap, can promote more than just depression or selfharm, but eating disorders as well and even can trigger a post-traumatic episode.

Some might argue that romanticizing mental illness is better than the alternative, which is to stigmatize it, but in fact, these two things

are one and the same. When you make a mental illness seem “cute” or otherwise desirable, you actually trivialize it and make it seem less serious than it really is. This is exactly what stigmatization does.

Romanticization of mental illness results in a loss of “safe spaces” for people who legitimately do have a mental illness, as they suddenly feel ashamed of the issues they face and feel as if they have no one to turn to. It almost turns into a guilt-trip as they try to figure out why they’re so easily affected by what seems to be such a trivial issue to their friends and family.

The problem with romanticizing things such as self-harm, suicide and mental illness is that it results in a system of non-expert gatekeepers who will question you to determine whether or not you really are depressed, schizophrenic, anorexic or whatever mental illness you’ve been diagnosed with. It leads to people posting pictures of their self-harm on social media and then others assum-

ing self-harm is okay. Calling people who kill themselves “angels who just want to go home” diminishes the impact of suicide. By using that phrase, you make the family and friends of the deceased feel guilty for wanting them to be on Earth and alive instead of in Heaven and dead.

Others claim that romanticization of mental illness is a form of empathy with the afflicted, but it definitely is not how many people with mental illness interpret it. Instead of hearing someone say “I know how you feel” when I talk about how my depression or how my anxiety is affecting me, I prefer to have someone listen or offer me comfort in the form of a hug or just asking how they can help.

UmmeKulsoom Arif is a junior justice systems major from St. Louis, Mo.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Kathleen Gatliff/TMN TV

Candidates for the April 7 City Council elections answered questions during a candidate forum last Monday at A.T. Still University. From left to right, the candidates are Betty McLane-Iles, Robert Russell, Kevin A. Alm and Phillip Biston. Candidates addressed citizens and a panel of moderators about key local issues.

City council candidates discuss goals

By Bethany Boyle

News Editor index.newseditor@gmail.com

Candidates for Kirksville’s upcoming city council elections discussed citizens’ concerns about the economic direction of Kirksville during a forum Monday at the A.T. Still University.

A panel of four interviewers presented questions to candidates about downtown revitalization, the city budget, bringing jobs to Kirksville and each candidate’s perception of the town’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Each of the four candidates — Betty McLane-Iles, Robert Russell, Kevin A. Alm and Phillip Biston — gave opening statements, responded to each of the panel’s questions and concluded their contributions with closing statements.

The moderators were four community members — Jason Hunsicker from the Daily Express, Sarah Lovegreen from the Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee, John Garlock from KTVO and Chari Eckloff from KLTE. The panel addressed the candidates with questions about key issues facing the community.

McLane-Iles said her platform is based on three main ideas — her status as an educated woman and the longstanding lack of female presence on the council, advocacy for the poor, unemployed, small businesses and land owners, and a passion for social justice.

Russell said he describes himself as an advocate for the average person and is an avid supporter of small businesses and community cohesion.

He said he is an advocate of conservative spending and would work to decrease what he said are unnecessary city purchases.

Alm said he would govern as a “common man” and long-time Kirksville resident, homeowner and community member. He said he would be open to citizens’ ideas and participation in city government.

Biston said he owns Property Concepts, LLC, a local small business, and is committed to the community and concerned for the city economy. He said he hopes to bring more employers to the Kirksville area and said he thinks his professional experience would be an asset to the council in working toward that goal.

Moderators: The Tax Increment Financing Commission has proposed to pledge up to $400,000 in funds to a revitalization pilot program aimed to improve facades, awnings, and parking on two blocks in downtown Kirksville.

What are your thoughts on this plan and what do you think needs to happen to make downtown successful?

McLane-Iles said she would like to see the downtown area updated after consultation with current shop owners, particularly by removing some of the awnings that extend from the storefronts.

Russell said he would like to revitalize the downtown area, but emphasized it would be counter-productive if it would impose costs on the businesses on The Square.

Alm said he thinks the downtown area needs to be the center for more activities and community gatherings. He said he thinks the bypass has diverted many people away from the town center, and the city should encourage traffic to that area.

Biston said he supports downtown revitalization and thinks it greatly would benefit the city to invest the allotted money toward that end.

Moderators: Given the city budget, to which project would you like to see additional money allocated, and which parts of the budget would you cut from or how else would you propose to pay for these projects?

McLane-Iles said she would like to see the city repair potholes around town, and to further support local tourism.

Russell said he thinks the city should cut funds from many departments and focus on building a better infrastructure and improving the road system.

Alm said he would recommend cutting some current city government spending and inviting citizens to present community-oriented projects that could receive the re-allotted funds.

Biston said he would cut some of the funding for road salt during the winter to redistribute elsewhere.

Moderators: As a member of city council what could you do to bring more jobs to Kirksville?

McLane-Iles said she would like to see Kirksville develop possibilities for job creation including the digitalization of information and opportunities at local farms.

Russell said Kirksville residents need to be ambassadors for the city, or represent the city well when traveling or visiting other areas of the state and nation.

He said money is going to better represented places because residents often haven’t represented the city well.

Alm said he thinks the city needs to advertise itself more, and people who have ideas should step forward and share.

Biston said he thinks the city could offer some incentives for businesses to come to Kirksville, including tax and water

abatements. He said if incentives like these can bring new businesses, such initiatives could create jobs for the community.

Moderators: What are some positives about Kirksville and what would you do to improve upon them?

McLane-Iles said she thinks Kirksville has kind and giving people, historical wealth and educational institutions. She said she would like to see more collaboration between the city and local universities, as well as opportunities for documentaries that could be created to capture the historical significance of the town.

Russell said he has enjoyed living and working in Kirksville, but he said he thinks the city must do more to encourage young people to remain in the city as adults. He said he would like residents to remember the neighborly kindness that was so common in this town, and encouraged citizens to vote and become more involved in the community.

Alm said Kirksville has been his lifelong home. He said he would like to see more citizen participation in the community, and would like to combat the methamphetamine problem that still is prevalent throughout Adair county.

Biston said Kirksville has been an incredibly accepting place to live, work and raise a family for him. He said he would encourage more collaboration between local businesses and the student population, because both have assets that could benefit the other.

The City Council election will be April 7. To register to vote or to find an assigned polling place, visit the website for Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander at www.sos.mo.gov.

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7

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Katey Stoetzel/Index Senior Josh Goldstein is an interdisciplinary studies major with a focus in film. He said he is directing “Welcome to Truman. How May I Help?” for his capstone project.

BY KATEY STOETZEL

Assistant Features Editor

Truman State students will get a glimpse of life in their natural habitat in the student-produced film “Welcome to Truman. How May I Help You?” at the end of the semester.

Residence Life member senior Alex Kuhns said in an email her role in the process was to approve spending and said sophomore Francis Kemper and senior Matt Evers were the ones who planned, organized and produced the film. Kemper said the film is sponsored by Residence Life.

Kemper said the film is an embodiment of Residence Life’s core values, ranging from diversity, life skills and scholarship. Kemper said he co-wrote the script with Evers.

The short film centers around a film crew coming to Truman to report on the campus’ atmosphere, Kemper said, but ends with the film crew surprised about what they find.

Kemper said the film crew in the script goes to Truman with the idea that college will be exactly how the media stereotypes college life — where everyone is cool and goes to parties. Kemper said he wanted to show that Truman is more of a haven for the different. The crew is surprised to find Truman students do not adhere to the stereotype, and they find that in the form of a character named Henry, he said.

“Essentially, that was the core of all this — [we wanted to] create a character like Henry who personifies this awkward and endearing aspect of what makes Truman students so different from others,” Kemper said.

The idea for the film came about last year when Kemper was a student advisor in Centennial Hall and created a movie scavenger hunt where teams recreated movie clips.

Kemper said not a lot of people showed up to the event, but it did help lay the foundation for

this film. Kemper said he and Evers were interested Since the film focuses on Truman students’ in writing scripts and wanted to come up with an personalities, Evers said he took inspiration from original idea before leaving Residence Life at the his friends. end of last year.

Evers said the character of Henry was inspired “We sat down and we thought ‘what can we by one of the actors in the film, sophomore Richard tell about Truman?’ and ‘what can we do with Res Bell, who is a friend of his and Kemper’s.

Life?’” Kemper said. “So it’s a mix between Res Life “The parts that I wrote, I took a lot of his mannerand Truman.” isms and that’s who he ended up playing, not inciKemper said writing the script took the better dentally,” Evers said. “Some of the other characters part of winter break, are [what] Francis deand the beginning scribes as archetypal.” of the semester was Evers said he has saved for hashing out many goals behind details such as makmaking the film, such ing posters, hosting as creating and workauditions and geting on a project that ting permission from not just the crew of Residence Life for the the film can be proud project. All of it led of, but the rest of the up to the beginning of student body as well. filming last week.

Kemper said he and - Sophomore Francis Kemper Evers might have written Kemper said everyone who came to audithe script, but to get it on tions and helped with pre-production was support- the screen they turned to senior Josh Goldstein. ive and helpful.

Goldstein said he is an interdisciplinary studies Although the film originally was pitched to show major with a focus on film, and also owns a film to incoming freshmen, Kemper said he thinks the production company in St. Louis. Last semester, he film is just as much for current students as it is for said he directed a short film that featured Kemper new students. for a communications class Goldstein taught.

In fact, Kemper said once production is finished This led to Kemper and Evers going to him with he wants to show the film as a drive-in double fea- their script and asking how he would like to be inture with a Hollywood movie the week before finals volved and what he could do, Goldstein said. so current Truman students can see it.

Goldstein said he agreed to assist with the project Kemper said even though the movie is a no-bud- after he went to his advisor and asked if he could get film, he thinks it can have a lasting effect on use it in conjunction with his capstone project. anybody interested in understanding and discover“Francis and Matt wrote a really funny script,” ing more about Truman.

Goldstein said. “It’s very meta.”

“We’re trying not to do it in a self-indulgent Kemper said if production runs smoothly, the way,” Kemper said. “[We’re] just showing it’s not film will premiere for students the second-to-last always about going with the grain. It’s not about week of school. If not, he said it will premiere durbeing a Mizzou or Ohio State.” ing finals week.

We’re not trying to do it in a selfindulgent way. [We’re] just showing it’s not always about going with the grain. It’s not about being a Mizzou or Ohio State.

Katey Stoetzel/Index

Goldstein directs an actor in the film. To choose actors, Kemper said they put the actors through an audition process.

VOLUME 106

ISSUE 23

Katey Stoetzel/Index Goldstein and sophomore Francis Kemper set up a shot during a filming day in the Student Union Building.

tmn.truman.edu

Katey Stoetzel/Index

Goldstein films an actor for the film “Welcome to Truman: How May We Film You.”

www.facebook.com/TrumanIndex

@trumanindex

© 2015

8

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Spike takes flight during Pi Day balloon event

BY BENE CLEAR Staff Reporter

Pi Day involved more than just celebrating circles and pastries for Truman State alumni Dustin Mayfield-Jones and Huan Truong and mathematics professor Don Bindner after their release of a high altitude balloon that reached higher than 109,000 feet.

The high altitude balloon — which featured a cutout picture of Spike the Bulldog — gathered weather data and footage in the stratosphere as it sailed above the Midwest for a duration of 2 1/2 hours.

Mayfield-Jones, a plant scientist at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, said he has been interested in space from an early age.

“From the start, I wanted to share the flight experience with K-12 students,” Mayfield-Jones said. “As an eighth grader, I won a launchpad design competition with another student and we traveled with our teacher to visit the Marshall Space Flight Center.

The process of making the launchpad, making the balloon and making most technical builds involves trial, error and persistence.”

Mayfield-Jones said his inspiration for the project came after meeting Ben Nuttall, Education Developer Advocate of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK-based computer science educational charity that advocates for computer science education for adults and children. Nuttall has experience with high altitude balloon projects, and his presentations spiked Mayfield-Jones’ interest.

“Using science as a tool to understand reality is exciting for me, even if we are confirming what has been known for 100 years,” Mayfield-Jones said. “Our project took about three months of work every Tuesday night when I could meet with my partner, Derek Sigler.”

Truman’s close-knit environment helped launch the project, MayfieldJones said.

“Truman is great for making lasting connections with faculty that very few universities in the region can offer,” Mayfield-Jones said. “My friend Huan, joined the group early on, discussing the project and ordering parts from Columbia, Missouri. Later, we asked Dr. Bindner at Truman to join the group to help with our radios and enjoy the build process with us.”

Truong, a college roommate of Mayfield-Jones, joined the project during November.

“My biggest contribution was ordering the components and the tracker to track where the balloon landed,” Truong said. “I helped with ordinary things and getting everything ready.”

Truong said distance did not stop the collaboration for a successful launch.

“We did a lot of the planning through Google Hangouts,” Truong said. “We didn’t meet a lot.”

Truong said he was most surprised by the ease of the project.

“It isn’t that hard to do,” Truong said. “If you spent an hour a day on a project like this, you could have it done in 20 days.”

Mayfield-Jones and Truong reached out to Bindner, who received his HAM radio license last year.

“I didn’t come into the project at the very beginning,” Bindner said.

“The reason they came to me was you’re going to have to launch the balloon very high in the sky, and then you’re going to have to get it back, so you use a radio to transmit your position. When it came time to do radio stuff, they said ‘Hey, want to do this balloon project?’”

Bindner said the components of the latex balloon included a helium container, a parachute, and a small Styrofoam cooler to hold a GPS and a microcontroller, allowing for the balloon to remain in contact while in the stratosphere, as well as a camera. Bindner said the most exciting part was the footage gathered by the balloon.

“We did collect a lot of data,” Bindner said. “You launch a balloon, you want to see pictures of the Earth. I think [the video] is the most romantic thing of the balloon.”

You can watch the footage at mayfieldjones.com or see the progress the balloon made on Twitter at @highballoonmo.

Top: A picture of Spike the Bulldog was launched with the high altitude balloon.

Right: The HAB was recovered at about 5 p.m. March 14. The HAB collected weather data and video footage while in the stratosphere for about 2 1/2 hours.

Bottom: The HAB was launched from Damiansville, Mo., and followed the flight path pictured below.

Submitted Photos

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9

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Collegiate Farm Bureau hosts National Agriculture Week

Truman State’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter celebrated the arrival of spring with petting zoos, farm tours and other events celebrating National Agriculture Week.

NAW took place March 16-20. CFB kicked off the week with a showing of the documentary “Farmland” and discussion panel March 16, followed by tours of the University Farm March 18.

The Petting Zoo — possibly the most visible NAW event — took place March 20 and offered students the opportunity to pet horses, donkeys, puppies and rabbits.

TA S T E

OF

Athena Geldbach/Index

Tired of microwaveable pizzas and boxes of mac and cheese? Do you wish you could make delicious and easy home-cooked meals but don’t know where to start? You’re in luck.

As a student, I understand how busy your schedule can be, and I’m here to serve as your guide to a better culinary experience. In Taste of Truman, I’ll provide you with simple and low cost recipes that will taste great and impress.

T RUMAN

w i t h L au ra S ea ma n

Cookie dough truffles offer a delicious and different cookie dough experience

BY LAURA SEAMAN TMN Reporter Not only are these cookie dough truffles fun to eat, but the process of making them is fun too. Creating these tasty sweets brought me back to the times when I would stand on a kitchen chair so I could reach the counter and help my mom stir chocolate chip cookie dough.

The recipes for normal cookies and these cookie dough truffles actually are very similar — but this recipe lets you eat the dough the way you always wanted to as a kid.

These truffles are a great snack, since the recipe makes about 15 truffles depending on how big you roll them. Most people only will want one or two because of how much sweetness is packed into each truffle. They sound fancy and taste amazing, so your work is sure to impress your friends.

Just remember, if you plan on serving these truffles at a gettogether, they can’t stay in a warm

place for long. The chocolate might start to melt and the truffles will get messy quickly. Keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them. They also taste better when they’re colder, in my opinion.

So test your culinary skills and please your sweet tooth with these amazing cookie dough truffles.

Laura Seaman/TMN

Preparation time: 30 minutes Freeze time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Cooking Tools Needed:

Cooking Instructions: 1. Mix the softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar.

2. Take that mixture and mix in the egg substitute and vanilla.

•

Wax paper

•

Cookie sheets

•

A mixer is preferable — mixing might be difficult without one.

Ingredients:

3. Add flour to the mixture and mix thoroughly.

4. Mix in the mini chocolate chips.

5. Place the mixture in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

•

1/2 cup softened butter

•

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

•

1/4 cup granulated sugar

6. After 30 minutes, create 1-inch balls of dough and place them on a cookie tray lined with wax paper.

•

1/4 cup egg substitute — it’s important that it is substitute, not actual eggs

7. Place the tray in a freezer and let them freeze for about 30 minutes.

•

1 tsp. vanilla

•

1 1/4 cup flour

8. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening together.

•

1 cup mini chocolate chips

•

12 oz. regular chocolate chips

•

1 1/2 tsp. shortening

APARTMENTS

9. Cover each frozen ball of dough in melted chocolate, then let them chill again until you’re ready to serve them.

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10

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

“#twinning in sweaters” The only thing better than looking good is wearing coordinated outfits with a friend. This is an easy outfit for multiple people to wear because most people own a sweater and a nice pair of jeans.

Get sophomore Leslie Hickman’s and junior Annie Schaeffer’s look!

The sweaters don’t have to match exactly, just make sure you both look good.

Your smile is the best part of the look.

Finish off the outfit by throwing on your favorite pair of walking boots.

picks week OF THE

m o v i e s

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation Remember Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible” film franchise? Yeah, I kind of forgot about it too. But no worries — the new trailer for the fifth intallment is all kinds of wonderful, if not a repeat of the last four Tom Cruise movies — and I don’t mean just the previous “Mission” movies. But that’s okay because there’s also Simon Pegg, who is featured prominently in the trailer and there even was a glimpse of Jeremy Renner, without a bow-and-arrow, but oh well.

TV

The X-Files

Welcome to the Picks of the Week, where we update you about anything ranging from special events, movies, music and entertainment taking place around campus and Kirksville.

miss

March 26

Global Issues Colloquium — “Traded Away: Market Reform and Resistance in Central America” 7 p.m. in Magruder 2001 Professor Rose Spalding from DePaul University, will speak about Central America’s socio economic policies.

Spalding is a leading authority on the Central America Free Trade Agreement, and will update Truman students on the aftermath of the agreement. The Multicultural Affairs Center will provide Latino food for the event.

March 28

Outdoor Open Mic/Open Jam/ BBQ Potluck 7 p.m. at 205 E. Pierce St. The Aquadome will host its first outdoor open mic and jam session Saturday. Food, drum set and guitar amp will be provided.

Avengers: Infinity War “Avengers: Age of Ultron” has yet to be released, but Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios are looking ahead to 2018 and 2019, when the third “Avengers” film, split into two parts, will be released. This week, it was announced Anthony and Joe Russo will take over directing duties from Joss Whedon. The Russo brothers are no strangers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as they have been in charge of all three “Captain America” films. Though we’ll miss Whedon, “Infinity War” will be in good hands.

Two days ago, Fox officially announced “The X-Files” will return to TV for a six stand-alone episode run, with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning as Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. As a recent “The X-Files” fan, I’m excited to see “The X-Files” air in real time. If you haven’t yet, start your binge-watching now.

HIT or

events

Con Man

The Index has scoured the Internet and gone deep into the recesses of Netflix to find the things you have yet to discover. We lie in wait for new entertainment to hit the web or the shelves. We do the heavy lifting when it comes to all things entertainment, and for your sake, we deem them a hit or a miss.

Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion are developing a webseries called “Con Man,” about a couple of actors who used to be on a popular sci-fi show that got cancelled after one season by a nameless network.

Sound familar? Yeah, we’re still bitter too.

“iZombie” is a...

HIT

“iZombie,” the only zombie show to watch

BY KATEY STOETZEL

Assistant Features Editor

It seems whatever channel you turn to, someone is making another zombie show.

I gave up on “The Walking Dead” a while ago.

It’s not that I hate zombies — I actually love them. But there’s only so much a television show can cover about people surviving and continuing to survive a zombie apocalypse. That’s why I firmly believe the zombie genre is best on the big screen, where we get to experience the apocalypse for about two hours and be done with it.

So when I heard The CW was premiering a new show about zombies, I was wary.

Luckily, “iZombie” — about recently deceased medical student Olivia “Liv” Moore who uses her new status as a zombie to help the police solve crimes — is nothing like “The Walking Dead.”

For one, it’s hardly about the zombie apocalypse — though there is a scene in the beginning that involves a yacht and zombies attacking people, which is how Olivia became a zombie — but that’s it. As weird as it may be to say this, the show is about life.

At the start of the show, Olivia, played by Rose McIver, is a promising medical intern at a big hospital. She’s engaged. She’s happy. And then she attends a party on a yacht and gets attacked by zombies. Suddenly she’s split up from her fiancé, working in a morgue and watching zombie movie

marathons. Oh, and she eats the brains of all the dead people in the morgue.

During her witty narration, Liv says she is suffering from “Post-traumatic ennui. Post-traumatic defeatism. Post-traumatic ‘what’s the point?’” as opposed to what her family and roommate think is post-traumatic stress from being attacked by drug-crazed teenagers because her family doesn’t know about her condition.

The exception is Ravi, played by Rahul Kohli, Liv’s mortician boss, who catches Liv eating brains and watching zombie movies and immediately makes the connection.

I love The CW because of how it takes chances with genre shows, and “iZombie” is a perfect fit for the network. Not only is it another addition to the zombie genre, but the show also is a mix of another type of show that I unashamedly enjoy — the police procedural.

During the pilot, Liv reluctantly is hired by the police to help solve cases supposedly because she’s a psychic. That’s what Ravi tells Detective Clive Babineaux, played by Malcolm Goodwin, who is new to the Seattle police force. But in reality, Liv gets a little something extra from the brains of the dead people she eats. She takes on the person’s characteristics and desires — for example, kleptomania — and has visions or sees memories of these people from when they were living. Naturally, that information comes in handy when murder victims come across her table.

In just one episode, Liv goes through many transformations besides the major one from living to living dead. As a zombie, she has lost all interest in her previous desires. But as we watch her become passionate about saving a young women during the case, we see her come alive again. Not only that, but she also embraces her zombie lifestyle by the episode’s end, when she dresses up as a zombie for Halloween.

Another reason I have faith in this show is because of Rob Thomas. Not the singer, but the guy responsible for cult television shows “Party Down” and “Veronica Mars,” whose wry comedy has been brought to “iZombie.” What also helps is the flow and ease with which the pilot moves, most likely because it’s already an established universe, as the show is based on the Vertigo comic by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred. The show even incorporates graphic art in its title sequences and transitions.

The fans will come for the zombie aspect of the show, but they’ll stay for the endearingly profound commentary about life and death the undead protagonist has to share.

I made the comparison to “The Walking Dead” because it’s in the media and a popular show. So while I don’t think the two shows are in the same category, if you have to pick a zombie show to watch, pick “iZombie.” Because while “The Walking Dead” can teach you how to survive during a zombie apocalypse, “iZombie” can teach you how to live.

SPORTS

Rugby teams ready THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

@trumanathletics

Men’s and women’s rugby prep for spring seasons against regional schools

BY SARAH HICKS

Staff Reporter

Out on the field, Bullets will be flying and Bulls will be running as the men’s and women’s rugby teams are in full swing with their spring season. The Bullets, the women’s team, and the Bulls, the men’s team, practice and compete year-round in league and tournament play.

The spring season means league play for the men as they compete against schools like Missouri State University, Iowa State University and University of Missouri-Kansas City in their conference.

Bulls president junior Alec Graham said the team is rebuilding after losing many seniors who were starting players.

“We graduated a lot of seniors last spring, so a lot of new guys have had to step up into bigger roles,” Graham said. “Last semester we learned a lot, and we hope to continue that this semester and improve.”

During the fall, the men ended with a 2-5 record, but played three NCAA Div. I schools with a young team, Graham said.

He said this spring, the Bulls are focusing on strengthening the fundamentals of rugby taught to the rookies during the fall.

However, recruitment is difficult every year, as many students mistakenly think you have to know the rules already to play the game, he said.

Junior Josh Sander said he wants the campus to know rugby is an inclusive sport.

“Many people have a picture in mind that you have to be a really big guy to play rugby, but it couldn’t be any less true,” Sander said.

“There is room for all types of players, regardless of your size or athletic ability.”

Sander said students are hesitant to join because rugby is a less popular sport, but most people who join have no prior experience.

Bulls co-captain senior Ben Wehner said he wants the campus to view the Bulls as a varsity sports team.

11

tmn.truman.edu

What to know to be a pro

Courtney Strait

Claire Nipper/Index Members of the women’s rugby team, the Bullets, practice for the upcoming season. The Bullets will travel across Missouri and to Tennessee this season.

“I realize we don’t practice quite as much, and are not paid for scholarships and the like, but we do work very hard throughout the year,” Wehner said. “Rugby isn’t a sport that many schools sponsor. So the fact that we have a team, and one that has been competitive for quite a while, is really special.”

Wehner said he joined the Bulls because he wanted to participate in a competitive college activity, and he said he has found the Bulls to be a great fit.

Bullets president senior Ellen Burken said she regretted not joining until her sophomore

year. Having played varsity sports during high school, she said she was looking for a competitive club team and said she felt at home playing rugby. She said her only friends who are not rugby players are her roommates.

This spring the Bullets will compete in Nashville, Tennessee, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Burken said the players are looking forward to this season, because they had a difficult time playing competitively in the fall because of low numbers. Burken says the team is young, but that does not hinder the team.

See RUGBY, page 13

Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a professional athlete?

Well, I had the chance to catch up with alumnus Mike Carlson, a twotime All-American who currently is playing professional basketball for CB Clavijo in Logroño, Spain. He shared some reflections about his experiences so far and told me some basics of being a pro.

The first thing professional athletes need to know is how to maintain a solid routine.

“I wake up at about 8:45, and I head to the gym at 9:30 to shoot and lift,” Carlson said. “I go back around 4:15 to practice and get home around 8:00.”

Carlson said he has been playing nonstop after his Bulldog career ended last season, playing professionally in Australia this past summer and signing with CB Clavijo at the end of his season Down Under.

He said playing with so many different teams has taught him to keep a consistent schedule.

He said the next basic to being a pro is to get used to the locals. Being 6-foot-9-inches doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a typical Spaniard, so Carlson See STRAIT, page 13

Spring ball starts at Stokes

BY HENRY JANSSEN Staff Reporter

The Truman Bulldogs’ spring football practices are underway as of last week, marking the beginning of the team’s preparation for the 2015 football season.

The ‘Dogs went 6-4 — 5-3 in conference play — during their 2014 season with Div. II losses coming to William Jewell College, University of Indianapolis and St. Joseph’s College. The Bulldogs lost the 2014 season opener to Div. IAA Drake University during overtime.

Head coach Gregg Nesbitt said the youth of his ball club should be the spark to making improvements from 2014.

Nesbitt said the Bulldogs will return 93 players from last year’s roster of 112. He said the offensive and defensive lines are the two areas with the most depth, as well as substantial amounts of returners with playing experience. Nesbitt said the team will get back to the basics this spring.

“We’re not assuming anything,” Nesbitt said. “We’re relearning how to practice, working on the sound fundamentals while trying to stir up some competition and trying to stay healthy.”

The Bulldogs’ three Div. II losses were the only competitions during which the Bulldogs allowed more than 20 points.

Austin Zoda, returning redshirt sophomore free safety, said he thinks the squad is taking the right steps toward correcting its defensive faults during those match-ups, especially in defending the passing game.

“This year in spring ball, we’ve started working on things that might have been lacking last year, such as zone coverage,” Zoda said.

“We feel like we’re pretty good with our man covers, but we’ve got to improve every bit on our zones.”

Zoda was a second team allGLVC selection during 2014, and one of only two players from the secondary to represent the Bulldogs on the list. He said he has

“It’s ... impressive to see how these younger guys have really committed to the program.”

— redshirt sophomore free safety Austin Zoda

enjoyed seeing the coming-of-age of first year players.

“The freshman [defensive backs] have all shared the load and picked up slack where it’s needed, it’s just really impressive to see how these younger guys have really committed to the program at a young age,” Zoda said.

Nesbitt said he wants to improve the offensive attack of the ‘Dogs this spring season. He said right now, the battle to replace star senior running back Garrett White is fairly wide open, but he said junior running back A.J. Hartfield leads the pack. For the quarterback position, however, Nesbitt said he was excited about the return of sophomore Devonte Black, who struggled with inju-

Trevor Stark/Index Wide receivers and tight ends receive instruction from coach Thomas Kearney during practice last week. The ‘Dogs began spring practice last Tuesday and will host a spring scrimmage game April 11. ries during the latter half of the 2014 campaign.

“Offensively, [Black] had a good, solid first year as a starter

Ashley Murphy

Freshman first baseman Ashley Murphy secured the Bulldogs’ game one victory last weekend against the University of Illinois-Springfield with a double to bring in three runs in extra innings. The win extended the team’s win streak to 11 before the Prairie Stars took game two.

VOLUME 106

ISSUE 23

tmn.truman.edu

at 62 percent completion with only three picks,” Nesbitt said. “He was No. 2 in the country and the best all-time in our school’s his-

tory. We have to work on getting the ball a little bit further down the yard more consistently.”

See FOOTBALL, page 13

PLAYER of the

WEEK

www.facebook.com/TrumanIndex

@trumanindex

© 2015

12

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

‘Dogs face ‘Cats in four

Truman ends with win

Truman State had a split weekend against McKendree University

made us work even harder to make sure that doesn’t happen again. This team is something special and we got back to playing Bulldog baseball.”

BY SAM STEWART The Bulldogs got it together Staff Reporter in time to beat the Bearcats in both games Sunday, earning a While some Truman State split for the series. The Bullstudents were shaking off the dogs’ bats were barking as they last bit of sand from spring opened up each game with four break, the baseball team was runs during the opening inning. shaking off the dirt after rival Truman marched onward as McKendree University rolled the team kept tacking on runs.

Hahn hit his third homer of the into town last weekend.

The Bulldogs came into the weekend during the first game weekend off a sweep against Sunday to put the ‘Dogs up 7-2 the University of Southern Indi- during the fourth inning. Redana March 14-16. This Saturday, shirt freshman pitcher Kent however, Truman was swept Frantz closed the game win as during the first doubleheader the ‘Dogs beat the Bearcats 7-3.

The Bearcats recorded five against McKendree.

“Coming into the weekend, errors in the back side of the we knew that we could not take double header Sunday that McKendree lightly, and I think added to the Truman victory. they proved that by taking two Senior first baseman Paul Trenfrom us on Saturday,” freshman haile extended a team-best 16outfielder Adam Gregorich said. game hitting streak in the win “As a team we really didn’t play and Gregorich recorded his first well on Saturday, and we felt Truman home run in the process, accordlike they ing to the ofcame into ficial season the series “This team is ready to something special, and statistics.

The Bullplay and we got back to playing dogs won we didn’t.”

10-6 during Senior Bulldog baseball.” the second outfield — senior outfielder game Suner Jarod day to earn Hahn put Jarod Hahn, on closing out the split in up a pair the doubleheader with wins the series of home against McKruns for endree. the Bull“We really needed those dogs, but a late ninth inning homer from McKendree gave two wins on Sunday to bounce the Bearcats the edge to win the back after Saturday as we are now approaching the toughest game, 11-8.

The second game Saturday was part of our schedule,” Trenhaile less of a home run contest as the said. “We’ll be playing much ‘Dogs fell 3-1. As Saturday ended, more now on shorter rest so it Hahn said the Bulldogs had to gear will be important for us to stay up for another two games against healthy and stay focused durthe Bearcats Sunday. Hahn said ing the grind.”

The Bulldogs will play Washthe team was discouraged about their performance Saturday, but burn University Thursday at looked forward to making up for home and then will head to current GLVC West leader William the loss Sunday.

“We got knocked down a Jewell College for a two-game notch by losing the first two weekend March 28-29 in Libergames,” Hahn said. “But this ty, Missouri.

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BY HENRY JANSSEN When the Bulldogs’ basketball season came to an end in St. Charles, Missouri, a few weeks ago, I felt an overwhelming surge of pride for the 16 men heading for the locker room.

That might seem a bit counterintuitive — after all, in competitive sports, we are told a loss is nothing to take pride in. We are taught that to be successful we must always win — on or off the court. The ‘Dogs proved this conventional idea wrong that early spring evening. The Bulldogs left the court as winners — the scoreboard just failed to acknowledge it.

Down by 13 points at halftime, Truman State easily could have rolled over and given in to the statistically superior, two-loss Rangers.

The undersized players of the Bulldog team, playing against a very physical University of Wisconsin-Parkside, were outrebounded 31-11 during the first half and simply could not get many of their tried-andtrue looks to rattle home.

Head coach Chris Foster said he did not have much to say at halftime — he knew his club already had too much fight in them to let the game get out of hand. Suddenly, during the early minutes of the second half, junior guard Cole Myers and redshirt senior guard Isaac Gardner hit a few threes. The ‘Dogs got rolling. Senior guard Seth Jackson banked one home and converted a three-point play. Sophomore forward Connor Erickson picked up right where he left off on both sides of the ball against Quincy during the Bulldogs’ two previous

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games. During the second half, Truman out-rebounded its opponents 19 to 16. Everything was clicking, and though Truman never led, the Bulldogs suddenly were playing their best postseason basketball since nearly a decade, dating back to the 2005-06 season — all against the No. 8 ranked team in the nation.

During the final 3:22 of the second half, the Bulldogs did not allow a field goal. Foster said he did not know about this until I told him two weeks later. A smile flashed across the University of Northern Iowa alumnus’ face — a rare sightwhen any coach reflects on a tough loss, no less one to end his team’s season.

“I don’t doubt it,” Foster said.

Myers was a perfect two-oftwo on the day from the three when senior guard Reed Mells dished him the ball on the final possession of Mells’ career.

Both of Myers’ baskets were 25-foot circus shots. Though his final shot did not go in, he got a clean look to force overtime as time expired — no one can discredit him that.

“I thought it was in,” senior center Patrick Burmester said.

The ‘Dogs were that close to one of the most memorable comebacks during any of its players’ lifetimes.

As painful an ending as that might have been, the Bulldogs still have a multitude of reasons to hold their heads high.

Not since the days when NBA Hall of Fame center alumnus Harry Gallatin played for the Bulldogs during 1947 has Truman, then Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, had back-to-back 20 win seasons.

The ‘Dogs reached a neutral site during the postseason for the first time since 2005-06, when they were granted an atlarge bid into the NCAA Div. II tournament. Jackson broke a 33-year-old record for most points during a single season, and he did so in about the least selfish manner possible.

Perhaps the Bulldogs would have earned an at-large bid had they defeated Parkside, perhaps not. Truman would have been 21-9 and counting, with a number of quality wins under its

belts, the sweetest of all being its victory at Drury University — the squad that went on to win the GLVC tournament. Five GLVC teams went on to compete in the national tournament, a testament that the selection committee thinks the conference is just as strong as everyone says it is.

I honestly can say, though I never have donned a purple uniform, I am proud to be a Bulldog. The men’s basketball team has represented the highest level of class and dignity you can expect from any group of college men, time and time again. A few 50-50 calls down the stretch, including two questionable fouls on Erickson during the waning minutes, played largely into Truman’s inability to claim the lead.

Burmester said a few weeks afterward that no official has ever lost him a game. This is coming from a guy to whom these calls might or might not have meant the conclusion of 15 years of playing the sport.

Jackson said the only silver lining about his career ending is how much more time he will have for his studies.

Gardner, in describing his experience as a Truman student, used terms like “grateful” and “special.” This is before even factoring in the athletic component of the equation.

Yet these three four-year Bulldogs are the guys who helped turn the culture of this basketball program around. If you were at the Bulldogs’ final regular season home game against University of Missouri-St. Louis, the student turnout to that game alone will support that claim. Sure, the men played some pretty exciting basketball during their time here, but these guys really latched onto the Truman student body with their modesty, intellect and likeability.

During a day and age where common logic hints that the dollar rules all in intercollegiate athletics, during a period where the former half of the phrase “student athlete” is almost tongue-in-cheek, we as a culture sadly sometimes overlook smaller, less funded programs like Div. II Truman basketball. Thankfully, Foster and company are here to make sure no other teams do.

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13

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

STRAIT l Former Truman State basketball player alumnus Mike Carlson shares his experiences abroad

Trevor Stark/Index The Truman State football team practices on the field at Stokes Stadium. The ‘Dogs began practices last week to prepare for their spring scrimmage.

FOOTBALL l The football team looks forward to incoming talent Continued from page 11 Nesbitt said he is looking for four wide receivers to have breakout seasons during the fall. Freshman Brass Woods, juniors Joey Schenck and Derek Hammann and senior Felix Neboh, all wide receivers, are expected to be key contributors to the Bulldog offense.

Scott Schwend, redshirt freshman running back, said the competition of the spring adds an excitement to the preparation process, and said the youth of the ball club only adds to that excitement.

“The stuff to be most excited

about is that we’ve got a really young team that’s all coming together,” Schwend said. “Spring ball is a big time for position battles. Everyone’s fighting for a spot on the bus in the fall. You’re competing with all your teammates, but at the same time it’s friendly competition because our team handles it well. Every day is evaluation day.”

Youthful players gaining experience and improving is a common theme for Truman football this spring, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, anchored on the defensive line by juniors defensive end Devin

Gillespie and defensive lineman Nick Reichert.

The NCAA requires that teams practice two times before they can suit up during the spring.

The Bulldogs’ first day of spring football was last Saturday and the first padded scrimmages of 2015 will be this coming Saturday.

The Truman spring game will take place April 11, giving fans an opportunity to see what direction Nesbitt’s youthful club will be headed when they open the 2015 season Sept. 5 at Midwestern State University.

Continued from page 11 said he has become accustomed to stares and residents asking him how tall he is. Though he still is working on his Spanish, there is one phrase he knows by heart — “Juegas baloncesto?” which means “Do you play basketball?”

“If I’m walking around Logroño, I’m going to get stopped [because I am tall],” Carlson said.

Thirdly, if you want to be a professional basketball player, you need to learn how to communicate with your teammates and get accustomed to a new language. Playing for a team in a foreign country usually means your teammates do not speak English fluently, Carlson said. Luckily for him, one player on his team is able to speak broken English.

“He has learned enough English, and I’ve learned enough Spanish, that we can get by,” Carlson said. “I can understand all of my teammates for the most part.”

Carlson said the experience has accustomed him to international travel.

Carlson said he and his team have traveled coast-tocoast in Spain and played many different teams from one of the top leagues in the country. CB Clavijo even has trekked to another continent when the team visited Melia, Morocco, Carlson said.

“We’ve been to some big cities like Barcelona and Málaga,” Carlson said. “We go all over the place.”

Carlson said his final piece of advice for aspiring pros is to adapt to the food. Coming from Superior, Wisconsin, and attending school here in Kirksville, Carlson said he had never been exposed to authentic Spanish food. Now, Carlson said he has fallen in love with the cuisine, including fried chicken pesto sandwiches and sushi fresh from the Atlantic Ocean. He said if there were two things he would bring to Spain from the U.S., they would be peanut butter and Chipotle.

“My mom sent me JIF Creamy Peanut Butter and I had never been more excited in my life to get it,” Carlson said.

RUGBY l The male and female rugby teams prepare for the spring season against schools in both the NCAA Div. I and Div. II Continued from page 11

house.

Staudacher said the Bullets have “We have a lot of freshman rookies, league play during the fall and a few [but they] will lay a solid foundation tournaments during the spring. She for the next few years,” Burken said.

Bullets co-captain senior Anna said the team plays competitively Staudacher said she had a simi- against Div. I and Div. II schools, but strives to let lar experience. every member Looking to get play. Staudacher involved as a “We have a lot of said she wants freshman, she freshmen rookies, but the campus to said she thought they will lay a solid see rugby as an rugby would be a organizagood fit since she foundation for the next open tion, and said played football few years.” students do not with her brother need experience in their back — Bullets president to play. yard at home.

senior Ellen Burken Staudacher To Staudacher’s said the Bullets surprise, she and Bulls strive said when she atto build a familtended her first rugby practices, she found more than ial relationship within a team setting. She said rugby is a way of life a team but a family.

Staudacher said many come to for the team members and they alplay the game but stay for the fa- ways have fun together. While small milial bond the women have. Stau- teams and young players bring dacher said the team constantly is challenges, she said the teams have bonding, on the field and off, as six shown they can compete against of the nearly 20 teammates share a Div. I schools and still come out on

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14

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Softball practices at Stokes

Join the March Madness trend Sports editor encourages readers to get involved with NCAA March Madness

BY DEVIN GILLESPIE Sports Editor

The NCAA Div. I men’s basketball national championship tournament is down to the final 16 teams, and not a single person who created a bracket predicted these teams would make it to this point. I understand it’s practically impossible to submit a perfect bracket, but if you have any kind of competitive bone in your body, I invite you to experience the madness.

Whoever thought to make this annual tournament an interactive contest is an absolute genius. Even though Yahoo gives those who make a perfect bracket a chance to win one billion dollars, the odds of someone picking every team correctly is one in 9.2 quintillion, according to usatoday. com. That’s one billion, 9.2 billion times.

I always try to make a bracket and compete against my dad and younger brother. I’ve done it every year since I started college, and not only does it give them a reason to call or text me daily for about two weeks, but it’s a good way for the three of us to bond. It’s one of the only times I get to smack talk with my dad, and another opportunity to assert dominance over my little brother.

Put your brackets up against those of your roommates, coworkers, teammates and even your significant other. Any team can go down on any given day, so no one has an advantage. Even if you’re a faithful watcher of ESPN and have heard the opinions of every college basketball analyst there is, they still aren’t fortune-tellers.

My fellow cohorts at TMN, many of whom have not watched any basketball this season, formed a group this year for March Madness. I’m glad the two leaders of our TMN group are representatives of the

sports section of the Index — anything less would take away the little credibility I have. Staff reporter junior Courtney Strait is currently in the lead, but I am just one game behind.

Some people picked teams on the basis of where they would prefer to live, which mascot would win in a head-tohead battle, etc. I won’t say how their brackets are doing, but not knowing basketball is no excuse for missing out.

March Madness can give you a chance to be social. You can walk up to a total stranger that’s watching the game in the SUB, and you can either share the same frustration for picking the losing team or give a high-five for picking the upset.

I encourage you to get involved next year if you haven’t before, even if your bracket only lasts for the first round. Not because I soon will have the leading bracket in the two groups I’m competing in, but to share some friendly competition with friends, family and even strangers.

Top, Truman softball players play catch to prepare for practice on the turf at Stokes Stadium. Above, players select partners to warm up for practice. Left, senior outfielder Ally McReynolds prepares to catch a ball during practice.

MacKenna Palazza/ Index