The Index Vol. 111 Issue 4

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Truman State University tmn.truman.edu THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

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COLLEGE ENROLLMENT SHIFTS ACROSS MISSOURI RACHEL BECKER News, Photo Editor

Truman State University began seeing lower enrollment a couple of years ago. Truman is about to report their third year of decreased enrollment while other colleges around Missouri have seen their enrollment going up.

Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the headcount will be around 5,400 or 5,450 students, but all enrollment numbers are preliminary until results of the University census come out. “[The] freshman class is going to be smaller … I am guessing around 925,” Rector said. “Last year we had 1,100 freshmen, and our headcount last year was about 5,550 [students].

That’s the combination of two small freshman classes in a row and the seniors being a large graduating class.”

Rector said he attributes the low enrollment to a combination of factors: fewer people graduating high school, a job market that people are skipping college to go into and negative publicity about student debt.

Community colleges are being hit especially hard by these factors, Rector said. In some cases, their enrollment might be down 20%.

Truman’s number of transfer students is also down because of the Students walking between classes by The Quad. Dave Rector said the fresh- lower enrollment in community colman class is going to be smaller, around 925 students, compared to last year’s leges, Rector said.

1,100 freshmen. Photo by Mary Van Winkle Missouri State University in

Springfield’s overall enrollment is down about 3% and their freshman class is down, Rector said. At Southeast Missouri State University, the freshman class is going to be down for the second year in a row and their total enrollment will also be down, as well as the enrollment at Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, Rector said.

A written press release from Northwest Missouri State University said the University began its 2019-20 school year with a 2% increase in its total enrollment, in addition to maintaining a high retention rate. The press release said the University’s retention rate is the second-highest in the institution’s history after Northwest secured a record 78% retention rate last fall.

The press release said there was a total headcount of 6,841 students on the first day of class and Northwest’s freshman headcount is 1,349, which also represents a 2% increase from last fall.

However, the press release also said all enrollment numbers are preliminary until Northwest’s official census occurs Sept. 18. The University projects its total enrollment for the fall to exceed 7,000 as students continue to enroll and those enrolled in high school dual-credit programs are also counted.

See ENROLLMENT page 3

Two dean searches underway

RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

Truman State University is in the process of searching for two new deans: one for the School of Business and one for the School of Arts and Letters.

Jim O’Donnell resigned from his position as the dean of the School of Arts and Letters over the summer, so

Jeanne Harding has been serving as the interim dean until the search is complete and a replacement is hired for the position. Harding previously served as the interim dean for the School of Health Sciences and Education. For the School of Business, Debra Kerby is the current dean, but she has plans to retire July 1, 2020. Both search processes began last June.

The application dates for the searches closed at the beginning of September, so the search committees, each consisting of faculty, staff and students, will soon begin reviewing applications.

Lucy Lee, the School of Arts and Letters dean search committee chair, said that as of Sept. 5 no work had been done by the committee because the application deadline had not

passed. Lee said the committee will be using the position characteristics outlined in the job description to evaluate the candidates.

See DEANS page 3

Truman’s rebranding campaign moves forward RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief SME Marketing, the firm Truman State University hired last year to lead a rebranding campaign, was on campus about three weeks ago to conduct a second series of focus groups.

The seven focus groups consisted of students, faculty, staff, alumni and Kirksville community members. The participants were shown two different creative directions for Truman’s brand and asked for their input. SME is now working on transcribing and analyzing that data, Truman’s Marketing Coordinator Keaton Wagner said.

Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said the executive leadership team and SME are setting up a meeting some time within the next few weeks to review the firm’s findings.

Assuming the data collected from the focus groups is definitive and the original timeline is kept, Wagner said the University would expect a brand book in October. However, he said from the focus groups he attended it did not seem like there was a clear di-

VOLUME 111 ISSUE 4 © 2019

rection of where to take the rebrand, meaning the process might be longer than originally anticipated.

Lange also said there will likely be another round of focus group testing.

This latest round of focus groups were done in person, which is different from past series in which some focus groups were done through video conferencing. Wagner said these focus groups were done in person because SME was sharing sensitive information that wasn’t ready to be released, but the use of in-person focus groups meant fewer focus groups could be done.

Lange said the information given to participants of the focus groups remains confidential as it hasn’t been tested, copyrighted or trademarked.

After SME analyzes the data from the focus groups, Wagner said there are a few possible outcomes. SME could come to a definitive decision on which creative direction it would recommend the University take, or the firm might decide to look in a new direction, prolonging the rebranding process.

“So as of right now, as far as a time-

line is concerned, I can’t say, ‘We’re going to have the new brand on this date,’ just given the nature of how this process works,” Wagner said.

See REBRANDING page 3

Top: The promotional material used by admissions staff for recruitment. SME Marketing is the firm Truman State University hired last year to lead a rebranding campaign. Photo Illustration by Daniel Degenhardt Bottom: The admissions desk in the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center.

Tyana Lange said they have completed one round of focus group testings and there will likely be another round of testing. Photo by Mary Vanwinkle

The Index

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Kirksville community welcomes new students Left: Wendy Huang and Sophie Guo eating free nachos during the New Student Downtown Welcome. Truman State University, A. T. Still, and Moberly Area Communiy College students were welcome to the event.

Top right: Dara Fitzmaurice grabs free chips and salsa from the La Fuente booth. The New Student Downtown Welcome was held from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 8.

Bottom left: from left to right, Emily Barnhouse, Elaina Sassine, Patti Catalo and Madison Frey sitting on the steps of the Kirksville Courthouse. Local business, churches and organizations had booths to give out information, coupons and freebies.

Bottom right: Jeremy Lloyd, Hy-Vee store operations manager, cooking hot dogs at the New Student Downtown Welcome. There were free hot dogs, chips and water given out to students who were able to present their student IDs. Photos by Bidan Yang CORRECTION: The article titled “New Sodexo GM oversees changes� appearing on the front page of the Aug. 29 issue of The Index incorrectly states that the new meal plans offer a Sunday Dinner in the dining halls. Only Missouri Hall hosts Sunday dinners.

Crime Reports staff Serving the University community since 1909 Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Pivoney Managing Editor: Elisabeth Shirk News Editor: Rachel Becker Copy Chief: Cara Quinn Design Chief: Emmett Divendal Photo Editor: Rachel Becker Designers: Jake Bertish Photographers: Caleb Bolin, Kara Mackenzie, Daniel Degenhardt, Bidan Yang, Emily Johnson Copy Editors: Kayla Lewis, Luke Jacobi, Megan Poston, Emile Hummel, Jessica Robinson, Maddie Lee, Sami Harris Staff Writers: Travis Maiden, Gordon McPherson, Allison Maschhoff, Chase Potter, Brittany Conley, Erica Schamel, Matthew Frank, Alex Crawford Adviser: Don Krause

DPS & KPD 9/3 Burglary reported at Devlin Pl.

9/6 Sex offense reported at the 100 block of E. McPherson St.

9/3 Theft reported at the 1700 block of S. Baltimore St.

9/7 Sex offense reported at the 1900 block of N. Osteopathy St.

9/4 Fire reported at the 2400 block of N. Baltimore St.

9/7 Public intoxication reported at 200 block of E. Illinois St.

9/4 Theft reported at the 2400 block of N. Baltimore St.

9/7 Shoplifter reported at the 500 block of N. Baltimore St.

9/4 Theft reported at the 2100 block of E. Normal Ave.

9/7 Animal attack reported at Drake Dr.

9/4 Motor vehicle theft reported at the 100 block of E. McPherson St.

9/7 Burglary reported at the 600 block of N. New St.

9/4 Theft reported at the 1100 block of W. George St. 9/4 Theft reported at the 500 block of N. Florence St. 9/5 Theft reported at the 500 block of W. Gardner St. 9/5 Bike theft reported at Cascade Dr. 9/6 Public intoxication reported at the 1900 block of N. Osteopathy St. 9/6 Burglary reported at the 400 block of E. Burton St. 9/6 Animal attack reported at the 1400 block of E. Meadow Ln.

9/8 Bike theft reported at the 300 block of W. Washington St. 9/8 Bike theft reported at the 400 block of E. Jefferson St. 9/8 Theft reported at the 500 block of S. Halliburton St. 9/8 Shoplifting reported at the 500 block of N. Baltimore St. 9/8 Theft reported at the 800 block of W. Normal Ave. 9/9 Theft reported at the 100 block of S. Franklin St. 9/9 Burglary reported at the 3600 block of N. Industrial Rd. 9/9 Theft reported at the 500 block of E. McPherson St.

9/6 Burglary reported at the 3300 block of S. First St.

9/10 Shoplifter reported at the 500 block of N. Baltimore St.

9/6 Theft reported at the 600 block of S. Osteopathy St.

9/10 Motor vehicle theft reported at the 600 block of E. Jefferson St.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

The Index

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ENROLLMENT| Estimations show low enrollment at Truman for fall semester Continued from page 1 Northwest attributes its enrollment growth to the work of its cross-disciplinary recruiting team, communication with prospective students, and partnerships with marketing and online education vendors to provide services and support aimed at increasing enrollment, the press release said.

Rector said the University of Missouri-Columbia may be broadcasting that their freshman enrollment is up, but they are still below where they have been historically.

Chuck May, executive director of admissions at the University of MissouriColumbia, said in an email statement to The Index that on the first day of class, there were 5,459 freshmen on campus and based on preliminary numbers, their freshman class increased by more than 16% compared to last year, marking the second year in a row the university has experienced double-digit percentage freshman enrollment growth.

May said total enrollment at Mizzou increased approximately 1% this semester,

with a total of 30,073 students on campus. New scholarship opportunities and reductions in the cost of dining plans and housing plans are just some of the reasons May attributes to the rise in freshmen.

“Another school that is up this fall is Saint Louis University, and — from what I have been able to pick up through the grapevine — they enhanced their scholarship program quite a bit,” Rector said.

Rector said he thinks college recruitment is a very competitive market. Truman President Sue Thomas said during her back to school welcome that we all need to be thinking about recruiting, Rector said.

For Truman to become more competitive with other colleges, Rector said the University is rolling out a new, less-dated marketing campaign. “[Lower enrollment] hurts the tuition revenue,” Rector said. “This year the state gave us an extra million dollars. With our decline in enrollment we are going to have less tuition revenue. I don’t think, from a student perspective, you will really notice anything … it is not like we

are cutting back budgets … so I don’t think the students are really going to feel it in any way.”

Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said the lower enrollment due to lower demographics and higher competition is not only a Missouri problem, but a national issue.

Lange said the University is definitely doing a lot to change the enrollment trends for next year.

“We hired a new director of admissions, Tara Heart,” Lange said. “We are looking at opportunities for additional training looking at things a little differently from the ambassador point of view, finding ways to tell our Truman story.”

The University as a whole has been involved in a rebranding campaign, Lange said. The new branding will include a new logo, tagline and message that will include a fresh look and feel to help Truman tell its story in a very consistent way, Lange said.

“I want us to get to a point where we are really selling that experience upfront

and not just value,” Lange said. “For [so] long we have talked about value and how affordable [Truman] is that we have kind of done ourselves a disservice and not really talked about how amazing we are. So that’s really where I want to focus on, that kind of a message.”

Lange said that in many cases some of the institutions whose enrollment decline started before Truman’s decline increased their marketing, increased their financial aid packages and started being more competitive.

“I am actually really excited — this is an exciting time for Truman — while we are coming off two years and a third year of decline,” Lange said. “We’ve done some of those reflections internally to really determine who we are as a university, the fact that we are about to launch a new marketing campaign, the fact that we have a new director of admissions. I am really excited and optimistic that we are going to be on the trend upward at this point and … I hope others on campus are excited about it too.”

REBRANDING| SME Marketing conducted seven focus groups, more are to follow Continued from page 1 The ultimate decision of whether or not to take SME’s recommendation falls on the executive leadership team at Truman, consisting of University President Sue Thomas and the vice presidents. Wagner said when the University receives a brand book the rebranding will be assessed and implemented over the course of several months.

Wagner said from his perspective the rebranding campaign is extremely important given recent enrollment and retention trends. While the main focus will be on getting new students to enroll at Truman, the rebranding will also

be an internal push to make students feel more connected to campus.

Lange said the market for new students is crowded, so Truman is trying to distinguish itself from other colleges in the area. She said the consulting firm allows the University to utilize research on marketing and appealing to new students, which the current staff does not have the expertise to do.

“Launching [the new brand] — being able to maintain that, using that in our messaging, making sure that we’re consistent — that kind of thing we do have the expertise to do and we’ll be able to manage that,” Lange said.

She said Truman should be able to

conduct the next marketing campaign by itself, but an entire rebranding or new identity requires help.

Wagner said the rebrand needs to be institutionally applicable, which entails making sure the brand works for recruitment, retention, alumni engagement and fundraising.

“I think that there’s a lot of opportunity to leverage the rebrand for retention purposes as well,” Wagner said. “I can see a lot of ability to reach people on an emotional level.”

Currently, Wager is working with SME on project management and organizing focus groups, but once the brand launches he will become more

prominent in training on the new brand and the internal communication that goes along with it.

Training on the new brand would consist of learning how to use the new logo and tagline appropriately, how to adopt the brand language and speak with the unified voice of the brand.

Lange said she has been impressed with SME’s efforts since she started her position this year. She said the firm is knowledgeable about Truman students and the culture surrounding the school, which gives her confidence in the rebranding.

DEANS| Truman is searching for deans for the School of Business and the School of Arts and Letters Continued from page 1 Each committee has a similar process for assessing candidates that narrows down the application pool before conducting interviews via video chat. From there the candidates are invited to campus.

Janet Gooch, vice president for academic affairs and provost, said she anticipates 30 or more applicants for each position. While the search isn’t strictly internal, anyone that is already Truman faculty or staff could have applied.

Gooch said the two searches are fairly standard and on a similar schedule.

“We are searching while [Kerby] is still here, which is good,” Gooch said. “We

hope to fill the position on her departure, so she’ll stay until July then have someone new to start when she leaves, which is about the optimal situation.”

Gooch said the University is using the search firm RPA Inc. to help conduct the search because it is particularly helpful in finding candidates for higher-level administration positions. Truman has used this firm before in its search for the dean for the School of Health Sciences and Education and in the search for the current vice president for advancement. The firm allows people to see the position listing on a national level.

Gooch said deans play an integral role as the leader for a school. Deans coordi-

nate and review department chairs and faculty within their schools, ensure the curriculum is up to date and meet collectively with the provost to determine how the schools can work together to ensure quality education across the University.

Harding said she thinks the employment description the University is using for the dean position is comprehensive. In addition to providing descriptions of the University, the position, the School of Arts and Letters, qualifications and the City of Kirksville, the position description said Truman is looking for a leader who can bring a sense of humor, passion, global perspective, communication and collaboration to lead the school.

“We really feel that the current structure is pretty effective as far as how departments are organized and how are schools are organized,” Gooch said. “We currently have five schools, which, you know, for a University our size is pretty standard.”

Gooch said she encourages everyone in the Truman community to get involved with the search process.

When the candidates are invited to campus there will be open forums in which students, faculty and staff can ask questions and provide input.

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[ Our View ] Kirksville culture is shown through community events

It’s a popular thought among Truman State University students and other community members that there is nothing to do in Kirksville. Those thoughts are likely linked to Kirksville being a small town in relation to bigger cities like St. Louis and Kansas City, which are places many students call home.

While some people say there’s nothing to do in Kirksville, the small city has many things to offer, like the Kirksville Kiwanis Farmers’ Market, Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival and the Midwest Antique Fest and Flea Market. Sure, it’s not the same energy as nightlife in bigger cities, but that doesn’t mean these events aren’t worth exploring.

We, The Index Editorial Board, believe students and other members of the Truman and Kirksville communities can find many things to do in Kirksville if they are willing to recognize and explore the Kirksville culture, characterized by an appreciation of agriculture, arts and history.

Because Kirksville is quite rural, being mostly surrounded by farmland, much of the town’s culture is influenced by agriculture. The Farmers’ Market, which is open every Saturday during the summer and continues until Oct. 26, is a reflection of Kirksville’s culture. There is a sense of pride and value for the agricultural community and that is why many citizens of Kirksville go to the Farmers’ Market to support the local farmers and agricultural business owners.

Another group to whom Kirksville citizens are willing to give their support is local artists. We can see this each year as large amounts of people flood into the Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival to buy and sell handmade items such as paintings, pottery, quilts, furniture and so much more. This love of art was also clear as citizens mourned the loss of the former Kirksville Arts Center and showed copious amounts of support for the new Sue Ross Arts Center.

Help the animals in your community CARA QUINN Copy Chief

It’s no secret that Kirksville has a stray animal problem, evident by the sometimes overwhelming amount of street cats present at any given time. If you’re an avid animal lover like I am, it can be difficult to see these stray animals and not be able to immediately provide them with food, water, love and a home. Whether you live on campus, in a house or apartment off campus that doesn’t allow pets or you don’t have the financial means to care for a pet, it might feel like there’s nothing you can do when it comes to helping out strays in need. Thankfully, Kirksville has a few resources available if you either find a stray or want to give rescued strays some well-deserved TLC. KV-POP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer-based public charity which provides financial assistance to those who could not otherwise spay/neuter their pet, allowing those who want to rescue an animal but can’t afford the procedure or those who wish to prevent the chance of a stray cat reproducing the opportunity to do so via an online application found on their website, kv-pop.org. Given the issue of overpopulation among the stray cat community here, spaying and neutering outdoor cats and strays alike is the main solution in reducing the number of strays. KV-POP runs solely on membership fees and donations, so even if you don’t have a cat in need of being fixed you can still assist an organization trying to help Kirksville’s stray population.

Another resource which can be extremely beneficial whether you come across a stray, want to adopt one or simply want to give back is the publicly funded, all-volunteer organization Field of Dreams Animal Rescue. FOD accepts dogs and cats on a spaceavailable basis and places them into foster

homes where they receive medical care, socialization and training with the intention of finding them forever homes. FOD hosts events every month and often features their pets at the local PetSmart, meaning there’s always a pet ready to be rescued. If adoption isn’t an option but you’re allowed to have pets where you reside, FOD is always in need of fosters! FOD covers all costs involved with fostering and the amount of fosters you take on is entirely up to you.

If fostering won’t work you can always volunteer at their many adoption events held at both PetSmart and local gatherings, like the annual Community Roots Festival.

Volunteers are always needed to make sure the animals have plenty of food, water and belly rubs. If you can’t find time in your schedule, food, litter and toy donations are always welcome! You can find volunteer, foster and adoption forms on their website, fodanimalrescue.com.

The Adair County Humane Society is another helpful resource when considering assisting animals in need within the Kirksville area. You can contribute by either becoming a member, sponsoring a kennel within the shelter, volunteering or donating goods. If you’re interested in volunteering by walking a dog, playing with a cat, folding laundry and helping with adoption events you can contact the shelter at (660) 665-8038 to schedule a volunteer orientation time. Like FOD, The Humane Society also lists all their available cats and dogs through the online adoption site Petfinder, making searching for your new pet a breeze. Further information on ways to volunteer, adopt and make a donation can be found on their website, adairhumanesociety.org.

Part of attending Truman State University is becoming a part of the Kirksville community, and the best way to get involved is by giving back. Even if fostering or adopting a stray isn’t a feasible option for you, there are numerous ways to support the homeless animal population within your community. Find one that works for you and help out today!

While there is support for new buildings like the Sue Ross Arts Center, there is also an affection in the community for all things historical. Kirksville has three museums in the area, each dedicated to either Kirksville or Truman history. Also highlighting the town’s affection for history is the community’s demand for antique shops and festivals. Anybody who has gone shopping in Kirksville has probably noticed there are more antique shops than outlet stores. This desire for the antique and historical brings people from all over the Midwest to Kirksville for the Midwest Antique Fest and Flea Market, which is happening this Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With these aspects of Kirksville’s culture in mind, we encourage students and other members of the Truman community to go to these events and search for activities in Kirksville that allow them to embrace the town’s culture for however long they reside here.

EIC disappointed but hopeful for Kirksville Daily Express RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

If you are a devoted reader of the Kirksville Daily Express, you have my sympathies. The local news source recently announced plans to switch from six days a week to a twice-weekly printing schedule for its newspaper, looking to focus more on its digital platform.

The newspaper will print every Wednesday and Friday starting in October. I’m sure the content of the paper will remain as good as ever, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.

While I do enjoy the easy access of this digital age of journalism, I am also saddened to see the skill and art of page designs disappear and will miss the routine of picking up a physical copy each morning. Unfortunately, these are the kind of cutbacks being made all across the nation. Newspaper staffs and publications have been reduced while budgets are slashed, making the duties of journalists even more difficult while the need is ever growing.

In his column, Jason Hunsicker said the rising production costs of the newspaper were a major factor in the decision to switch production schedules. Maintaining a budget for printing is an issue experienced by many media companies, including The Index, however, I question why a budget should determine a community’s access to information.

Journalism is like a public service, so I don’t like the idea of a bottom dollar being its driving force. As the editor of another local news source, I wish the Daily the best in this new stage they are entering, as tough as it might be.

That being said, The Kirksville Daily Express is already doing some fantastic things with social media to get information out as soon as possible, which I think is great. I am excited to see where it goes as it devotes more time to its digital platform in the future. Whether journalists like it or not, online is where the readers and the industry are heading.

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The Index

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AM Housing closes on a property ELISABETH SHIRK Managing Editor

AM Housing, Inc. closed on a house May 30 located at 215 N. High St. and hosted a student work day on Saturday. They hope to use the house as a homeless shelter in the future.

Currently, the AM Housing Board is awaiting approval from the City of Kirksville for a special-use permit to use the house as a homeless shelter, because the house is located in a commercially zoned area.

Their initial proposal to the Planning and Zoning Commission was rejected May 8.

AM Housing Board President Glen Moritz said he talked to City Manager Mari Macomber about two weeks ago, and she was open to bringing the board’s permit request to City Council. Until the request is approved, the house is being used for transitional housing and there is one person who is already renting there.

“She was thrown out of her apartment with just a few days notice,” Moritz said.

Moritz said they are charging minimum rent, which is one-third of the tenant’s monthly income.

“Right now we’re just nice landlords,” Jimmy Clemens, AM Housing Board fundraising chair, said.

Aside from requesting approval from the city, Moritz said AM Housing is refining the policies and procedures of having people at the house on a transitional basis, fundraising for the future and working to improve the house.

Moritz said during the student work day about 25 volunteers from the Pershing Society and Alpha Sigma Gamma helped clean up parts of the property. Every window and floor in the house was cleaned. The house has eight bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small kitchen and a large living room.

Clemens added that the board is planning to host more workdays in the future, but dates for those are yet to be determined.

“One thing we do have a set date for will be our Colton’s [Steak House & Grill] night, [we’re] having another one of those on Oct. 29,” Clemens said.

Anyone who eats at Colton’s that day will have the choice to donate a percentage of their bill to AM Housing.

Nathan Puthenveetil and Sarah Doty hang a sheet over the window in the foyer. AM Housing, Inc. closed on a house May 30 located at 215 N. High St. and hosted a student work day on Saturday. Photos by Rachel Becker

Top left: Volunteers from the Pershing Society and Alpha Sigma Gamma stand in the living room looking for supplies to hang curtains. AM Housing, Inc. is refining the policies and procedures of having people at the house on a transitional basis, fundraising for the future and working to improve the house.

Top right: Lizzie Cremer and Sarah Doty hang a sheet in the dining room. AM Housing Board President Glen Moritz said he talked to City Manager Mari Macomber about two weeks ago about a permit request for the property.

Bottom left: The group is called back into the house to work on another project. AM Housing, Inc. will have a Colton’s Steak House & Grill night Oct. 29, anyone who eats at Colton’s that day will have the choice to donate a percentage of their bill to AM Housing.

Photos by Rachel Becker

Save the date!

DRIVE-THRU FLU CLINIC Wednesday, October 2, 2019 12 pm – 6 pm Locations: Kirksville – NEMO Fairgrounds Novinger – Fire Station Brashear – South side of the square Truman Faculty, Staff and Students Welcomed!!!

Ages: 3 years and up Quadrivalent flu vaccine (No High Dose on this day) No cost to Adair County residents, but bring Medicare and Medicaid cards Short or loose-fitting sleeves recommended Sponsored by:

Adair County Health Department

For more information: http://adair.lphamo.org (660)665-8491

The Index

6

news in brief

calendar BLUE KEY, CARDINAL KEY BLOOD DRIVE SEPTEMBER 11-12 SUB GEORGIAN ROOMS A & B Truman State University’s Blue Key and Cardinal Key societies are hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross. The blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.

19 SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Students wanting to study abroad should attend Truman’s upcoming fair, where they can learn about numerous study abroad opportunities.

Red Barn showcases local artists with over 100 booths, where visitors can view and buy goods. Food and entertainment will also be provided at this annual event.

21

11

STUDY ABROAD FAIR SEPTEMBER 19 12-4 P.M. SUB GEORGIAN ROOMS A & B

RED BARN ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 21 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. THE SQUARE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

21 SEPTEMBER

FAMILY DAY SEPTEMBER 21 Students and their parents are encouraged to attend Truman’s annual Family Day festivities. Special events will be held all weekend including sporting events, a barbeque and planetarium shows.

Truman State University earns No. 1 ranking for 23rd straight year Truman State University was ranked the No. 1 public school in the Midwest region by the U.S. News & World Report. The University has held this spot for 23 consecutive years. Truman was also named the No. 7 school overall in the region, moving up two spots from last year. The University was also the only Missouri public institution named in the top 75. In the category of Best Value Schools for the Midwest region, Truman was named No. 1 out of 63 institutions.

Daily food packs are available for students The Pantry for Adair County is providing free food packs to all students. Their mission is to provide supplemental food to residents of Adair County.

The food packs can be picked up at the SERVE Center in the Student Union Building Monday through Friday in Room 1105 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a Truman ID. Baseball artist and entrepreneur returns to campus Nate Rueckert, a 2003 Truman State University alumnus, visited Truman Sept. 11 to showcase his art, share advice and tell his story. Rueckert graduated with a degree in accounting and is now working as a senior external financial reporting consultant for Wells Fargo. Rueckert also makes art out of baseballs, which he sells for commission. He started his art business in 2001 while still a student at Truman. In 2017, a map of the U.S. that Rueckert made was displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. Rueckert visited classrooms around campus to offer advice to students who might want to start their own company.

QPR trainings offered for suicide prevention week During Suicide Prevention Week, University Counseling Services hosted a QPR-A-THON Sept. 11 in Student Union Building Room 3000. QPR, or Question-Persuade-Refer, is training for faculty, staff and students who want to work on their skills in responding to those who express suicidal thoughts. UCS held five 50-minute trainings throughout the day.

Applications open for Board of Governors student representative Student Government is currently accepting applications for the next student representative to the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors was created to set policy and provide guidance for Truman State University. There are nine members on the Board, and one nonvoting student representative who serves a two-year term. Applications are available online and due by 5 p.m. Oct. 9.

Take this to the game on Saturday and all the games happening this weekend to support your Truman Bulldogs!

7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Campus gallery features faculty art DANIEL DEGENHARDT Staff Writer

Top: Freshman Gabby Winterpoer looks at one of professor Lindsay Dunnagan’s paintings. Dunnagan has been teaching at Truman State University since 2016 and produces works in a variety of media including charcoal, gold leaf, natural dying, carved wood and quilting.

Above: Professor Eric Ordway’s series of large-scale ceramic pots, platters and jars are on display in the gallery. This is Ordway’s first semester at Truman.

Below: The art gallery is currently featuring the works of art professors Lindsay Dunnagan, Eric Ordway and Laura Bigger. Bigger’s series “Elements” is located in the center of the gallery and reflects her interest in raw materials.

Photos by Daniel Degenhardt

VOLUME 111

ISSUE 4

tmn.truman.edu

Artwork produced by the Lindsey Dunnagan, Laura Bigger and Eric Ordway, the newest members of Truman State University’s art faculty are currently on display in the Truman State University Art Gallery through Sept. 27. Their current group show, “New Work by Truman State Art Faculty,” shows the faculty’s latest creative research in a space accessible to both students and the public.

Professor Eric Ordway is in his first semester teaching ceramics at Truman. His series of large-scale ceramic pots, platters and jars tread the line between functional dishes and sculptures, an important distinction for Ordway.

“Sometimes it’s hard to do functional work … and translate that into a fine art gallery because people have that sense of home life,” Ordway said.

Ordway explained each of the pieces was based on items that are used regularly in the home, but the scale and addition of deep organic textures makes it clear that each is an artwork first.

Ordway said in each piece he asks, “What makes it a work of art and do we still have the debate of craft versus art?”

The exhibition features a variety of media that are rarely shown in the same space, a choice that makes walking through the gallery particularly exciting while also signaling that Truman doesn’t value one form of creative expression over another.

“I think it’s nice, showing the range of work that Truman carries,” Ordway added.

The work of Professor Lindsey Dunnagan, who has been teaching at Truman since 2016, occupies part of the outer wall of the main gallery as well as the adjoining Charlyn Gallery. Dunnagan’s work is primarily painted, but is accented by a variety of other media including charcoal, gold leaf, natural dying, carved wood and quilting.

www.facebook.com/TrumanMediaNetwork

“I’m really a curious person — if I feel like I’m not learning very much, I really get bored,” Dunnagan said.

Dunnagan’s work places human figures into ethereal landscapes, exploring how humans interact with the natural world both physically and spiritually.

Her series relate to the Missouri landscape and the earth, speaking to the human impact on the natural world, Dunnagan said. More specifically, her works relate to climate change, and remind viewers they are a part of the natural world.

Professor Laura Bigger, whose work occupies the central space of the gallery, has also been teaching at Truman since 2016. Bigger teaches printmaking, but like Dunnagan, she incorporates a variety of mediums into her work including watercolor, drawing, wood and other raw materials.

The work being shown is from multiple series, some finished and others in progress, all of which reflect how humans relate to the environment. “Elements,” located in the central space of the gallery, is an in-progress series focused on Bigger’s interest in raw materials, combining drawings with samples of the materials that interest her. She is also showing work from “The Most Tempting Game in the World,” a series in which Bigger pushes viewers to question their relationship to animals, presenting what she describes as the tension between our conceptions of wild animals as meat versus cute fauna. Her work shows a strong and ongoing interest in the current issues surrounding climate change and how humans relate to animals.

“I didn’t want my work to tell people what to do,” Bigger said. “I tend to want it to be more thought provoking and then to let people decide what they want from that.”

“New Work by Truman State Art Faculty” is free to the public and will be on display in the University Art Gallery through Sept. 27.

@TrumanMediaNet

© 2019

The Index

8

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

TruTalent takes over The Quad TRAVIS MAIDEN Staff Writer After weeks of practice and bonding, brothers Jacob and Tyler Bichsel took the stage of the Student Activity Board’s event, TruTalent, bringing laughs and a lifelong love of acting to the Truman State University community. The two are only one example of the many talents featured at the show.

TruTalent took place from 7-9 p.m. and was free to attend. Students interested in performing had to sign up prior to the event through an online application where they described their talent, the equipment needed for their performance and how long it would be. This open application gave Jacob and Tyler the opportunity to share their appreciation for the art of acting.

Jacob said the duo has treasured acting since they were five years old, and the two have en-

Brothers Jacob and Tyler performed a theater sketch at TruTalent yesterday on The Quad. TruTalent is an annual talent show put on by the Student Activities Board. Photo Illustration by Travis Maiden

grossed themselves so much in art that it has become a part of their personalities.

“Being on stage and the dynamic it brings is fun and interesting,” Jacob said. “It is different than anything else you can get. We both like stories, reading and writing, so acting is just another way of expressing that.”

The brothers have been talking about the talent show with one another for months determining whether or not they should sign up. Once part of a theater troupe in high school, Jacob and Tyler decided on bringing one of their past performances to the spotlight of The Quad, a sketch produced by Abbott Costello’s “Who’s On First?”

Jacob said the event was a good idea since it garnered a lot of attention and was fun, however, he said the advertising could have been done differently in order to involve the entire campus. He said it had the capability of being much larger than what it was if word of it had gotten out more, but it was still a great event to participate in.

While practicing the sketch and being able to perform was a great reward, it also allowed Jacob and Tyler to spend more time with one another.

TruTalent gave them a reason to meet every evening for a few weeks. Tyler said they saw TruTalent and knew it would be an excellent opportunity to refine and share their old material with the rest of the community.

Tyler said sharing their unique talent was great, but being able to see other talents was even better.

“That’s the other aspect of theater, being able to see all the things other people can do,” Tyler said.

“There are so many things. Comedy, magic tricks, music. There’s just so much.”

The brothers’ passion for acting and performance only contributed to the rest of the night’s performances. Each personality added on to the next as the hours went on. TruTalent Event Chair Ashley Atkinson said she was excited after seeing the amount

of names that signed up and the large number of talents they wanted to share with everyone.

Since it was a free event, the show gave students the chance to relax in the middle of the week when stress could be found at the drop of a pencil.

“It’s always fun to watch your friends perform,” At-

“There are so many things.

Comedy, magic tricks, music.

There’s just so much.”

-Tyler Bichsel, TruTalent Performer kinson said. “Even if you don’t know anyone, it is a free show. It’s just such a good time.”

Atkinson said she remembered acts from last year like an impressive hula hoop performance that glowed in the dark, and this year’s list of talents seemed just as incredible. Special Events Committee Chair Zhuoqun Gao said she remembered a dance group that was so massive they had to jump off the stage and perform on The Quad.

Gao said now was the best time to hold the talent show to introduce freshmen to the many organizations available on campus. It gave new students the chance to find out more about groups with shared interests. TruTalent also featured a whole new level of interaction with students not found in many past events.

“We have had a lot of events with artists or professional performers, but we don’t really have interactivity when it comes to students performing,” Gao said.

“Here it isn’t only stand-up and singing. We have all sorts of stuff from students.”

The Losers’ Club returns This movie gets 2.5/5 red balloons.

Friendly neighborhood movie reviewer critiques “It: Chapter Two” GORDON MCPHERSON Staff Writer The overlong and fascinating “It: Chapter Two” proves a passable sequel to the 2017 smash hit.

Pennywise the Dancing Clown has resurfaced in the rural town of Derry, Maine, 27 years after the events of “It: Chapter One,” terrorizing children and adults alike and feasting on their fear. The lovable group of children from the first chapter — the self-proclaimed Losers’ Club — have grown up into flawed adults, amnesiac of much of the horror they endured as children. Mike Hanlon, played by Isaiah Mustafa, contacts the remainder of the Losers’ Club to come back to Derry, based on the blood oath the group made at the end of “Chapter One,” as Pennywise has started chomping on the sleepy town’s inhabitants once again. So, Bill, Beverly, Ben, Richie and Eddie are back in the fray — portrayed by such A-list actors as James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader, among others — and are sadly less interesting than they were as children. They must kill the cuddly clown once and for all.

Boy-oh-boy, Pennywise is still pretty crazy.

Bill Skarsgård perfectly portrays the disturbing, child-murdering monster with concerning gusto. His childlike, cocaine-addicted voice, bright makeup and nauseating smile still leave a lasting impression, even if the rest of the film pales in comparison to his performance.

While the first chapter was the highestgrossing R-rated horror film of all time, Director Andrés “Andy” Muschietti had little excuse to make “It: Chapter Two” nearly three hours long. This isn’t “Avengers: Endgame,” despite what Muschietti wants to believe.

What is essentially a fairly standard story, with a creepily iconic villain, is stretched out far too long by obsessive nostalgia for the first chapter.

Sure, “It: Chapter One” was a thoroughly entertaining film, boosted by the chemistry between the central child characters and Skarsgård’s masterful performance as Pennywise.

“Chapter Two,” however, cares more about the younger Losers’ Club than the older, neglecting to give the adult Losers’ Club the emotional pull needed to warrant the extended runtime.

As a result, while the adult Losers’ Club works fine as an ensemble, they can’t replicate the chemistry the child actors had in “It: Chapter One.” The new cast, Bill Hader especially, are entertaining enough, but the plot and writing don’t give them opportunities to truly shine.

Oddly enough, the returning child actors outshine them.

Rather than focusing on the present day, “Chapter Two” lives in the past, even using the same child actors from the original in drawnout flashbacks that, unfortunately, don’t quite

make sense to the plot.

What results is a film that, at times, feels like a blatant rehash of the original with less of an emotional backbone, fumbling its moral message along the way.

The original film’s message of strength in unity — albeit strength that involves embracing violent instincts — rings true again in “Chapter Two,” just add a confusing theme of sacrifice that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Fortunately, Muschietti shines in terms of horror set pieces, concocting devilishly twisted scenarios for the characters that — like the original — feel like walking through heart-pounding haunted houses. True scares are sacrificed for sudden jumps, jolts and gory imagery. These sequences are fun for a while, until they aren’t.

By the film’s sloppy, Michael Bay-esque conclusion, “Chapter Two” feels more like an action movie than a horror movie. Like in “Chapter One,” Muschietti succumbs to bombast that lacks any subtlety — this time also employing flashing lights in several sequences that nearly gave me epileptic seizures.

While I have numerous problems with “It: Chapter Two,” the overall film has enough strengths to recommend to fans of the original. For those not already enamoured with the characters, however, “Chapter Two” will feel like an irritatingly bloated exercise in self-indulgence.

The Index

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

TOP [5]

9

3. Go Kayaking

Honestly, there are a lot of activities at Thousand Hills State Park that are better in the summer, but I say kayaking in particular because it’s one of my favorite activities and the water has a much more agreeable temperature in summer.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE SUMMER ENDS

By Elisabeth Shirk, Designated Townie

1. Relax on The Quad

4. Go to the Farmers’ Market

Being active on The Quad might be enough to keep you warm in the fall and perhaps even the winter, but relaxing and napping on The Quad is made for summer days. Sometimes you just need to get away from the stress of school while laying on a blanket or in a hammock and soaking up the summer sun.

The Kiwanis Club of Kirksville’s Farmers’ Market happens every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon until Oct. 26. It’s a great way to get fresh produce and support local farmers.

2. Eat Ice Cream

5. Barbeque

While some people love ice cream so much that fall and winter don’t deter them from the frozen dessert, it is certainly more appealing on a hot day, so hit up your favorite ice cream place and enjoy while the weather demands it.

There isn’t much that beats a summer barbeque. You can eat a hot meal, play yard games and enjoy the company of friends. If you or your friends don’t have a grill, Thousand Hills State Park and many of Kirksville’s public parks have grills and picnic areas available to rent or even enjoy for free!

Storytime with

Allison

Betty Twillman’s Plot Twist

What is this? This story is a part of a series of stand-alone short stories written by The Index’s fiction writer, Allison Maschhoff. None of the fiction stories this semester are connected to one another. You can find this and other stories by Allison Maschhoff at tmn.truman.edu.

ALLISON MASCHHOFF Staff Writer

When I was young, at least one out of every three visits to my grandparents’ house involved me asking to hear their love story. My grandpa would smile softly and lean back in his chair. He enjoyed hearing Grandma tell the story as much as I did.

As she got older, some of the details got fuzzy. Her memories would get tangled and the story would be muddled by, “No, that’s not right,” and, “Well, I suppose that actually happened after this.” But no matter how confused she got, the story always started the same way: “15-year-old Betty Twillman had her life mapped out to a T.” “I had a plan,” Grandma would say. “I was going to finish high school, and then I was going to go to college. I didn’t see myself going steady with any of the boys at the high school, so I decided that finding a husband could wait until after I got my teaching certificate. I’d get comfortable in the classroom while I searched for a man fit to marry. Then I’d get married, have a couple children.”

At this point, she always liked to interject that her plan was tethered to the belief that it was important to be a life-long learn-

GALT

SPEAK

er. Yes, she would learn at school.

But once she was done with college, she would need time to learn how to be a good teacher.

Then once she was married, she’d need time to learn to be a good wife before she could, God willing, learn to be a good mother. Of course, she’d continue learning in all three stations of her life, but her 15-year-old self was certain it would be much more manageable if she added each job one at a time.

“Of course, before I managed to start that degree, something happened. I was three days away from my 16th birthday, I was in the middle of a very good book, and then suddenly, I met my plot twist. His name was Martin Byrd.” She would look straight at Grandpa, the corners of her lips stretching up toward her warm, happy eyes, and she would continue, as if he weren’t in the room. “You see, Marty Byrd was new in town and rather handsome. We bumped into each other a few times. Eventually, he asked if he could walk me home after school. He accompanied me on my walk every day for two weeks before I learned that he lived in the opposite direction.

“When he asked me to let him take me to dinner, I said ‘Yes,’ even though it interrupted my

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plans. When he asked me to be his girlfriend, I told him I was going to go to college. He said he knew, he thought it was a great idea. So, I agreed to a more official courtship. I told myself my plan wasn’t truly changing.”

At this point in the story, my grandma would sit up straighter as if she was preparing herself to relive the fears and uncertainties of Grandpa’s military service. “After six months of going steady, he told me he was going to enlist. It was short term. He promised he’d be back in time for my high school graduation.” Even 65 years later, my grandma’s eyes got shiny as she described waiting for him to come home. But young Marty Byrd kept his promise. He was there to watch Betty Twillman accept her diploma. And then he asked her to accept a ring and a name change.

“This was the difference between when he asked me to be his girlfriend and when he asked me to be his wife: the second time around, I didn’t even think about what would happen to my plan.

I simply said ‘Yes.’ There was no other answer.” And the smile that always accompanied that memory made it clear to every listener that she was telling the truth. Betty Twillman never had a moment of doubt that this change in her plan

was exactly what she wanted.

My grandparents got married nine months later. Within a year, Grandma was pregnant. Three beautiful children later — that was the other consistent piece of the story, the children were always beautiful — she finally went to college.

“Betty Twillman believed that by 29, she would be a seasoned teacher, married five years, a mother of toddlers. But by 29, Betty Byrd had been married a little over a decade, her oldest child was almost ten and she was proudly accepting her teaching certificate. And I’ll let you in on a secret, she couldn’t have been happier.”

My grandma was a strong believer in plans when she was a child. She wanted to plan everything — she thought she could plan her whole future. But she found that just like the plot twists in her favorite novels, the things she hadn’t planned brought her life the most vibrant happiness.

In her career as an English teacher, she told her students that surprises and changed plans could make all the difference in a story.

“One of the beautiful things about these surprises is that sometimes they even surprise the author,” she’d tell them. “And those are the best surprises of all.”

The Index

10

Ouestions ?

on

Mason Huddleston, freshman

Madi McClain, junior

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

the

Ouad ?

David de la Corte Mathews, senior

Question 1: How do you wind down after a long day?

“I either read a book or go to The Rec.”

“I talk to my roommate and chill with her. She’s really cool and I like her.”

“I lie down for a while and sleep.”

Question 2: What is one thing you wish Kirksville had that a big city has?

“The one thing I want in Kirksville is a Cracker Barrel. Great food, for one, and any gift I could ever need to give my grandmother.”

“A Target.”

“A good place to party, like, a really, really good place to party.”

Question 3: Who is your favorite professor?

“Hagenhoff. She’s just so relatable and chill. She’s so sarcastic and witty which is so funny.”

“Lindsey Dunnagan because she is a goddess.”

Follow us on Instagram @Ktrm_fm

“Mine is Ojha. He knows operations management and he’s pretty good.”

The Index

THURSDAY, SEPTMEBER 12, 2019

11

Missed the game? We’ve got you covered Men’s cross country Dog and Cat Fight Dual 6k, 9/6 Truman Lindenwood

Average Time

Score

1:44:23

20:52

30 (L)

Nathan Key

1:47:26

21:29

29 (W)

Austin Crowe

Total Time

Top Runner

Women’s cross country Dog and Cat Fight Dual 4k, 9/6 Score

Truman PBA

Truman

1:20:40

16:08

23 (W)

Carly Garnett

Truman

Lindenwood

1:23:20

16:40

38 (L)

Najwa Chouati

PR Mayagüez

Truman Northwood

1

2nd Half

1

1

2

Total

2 (L)

3 (W)

Scorers Colin McDonough, Mateo Montano

Jack Doyle, Luke Neves, Jared Suddon

Men’s soccer against Purdue Northwest University, 9/6 1st Half

Truman

0

Purdue Northwest

1

2

2 (W)

Scorers Matt Yankowicz, Andrew Brennan

0

1 (L)

Matthew Bahena

2nd Half

Total

Women’s soccer against Ferris State University, 9/6 1st Half

Truman

0

Ferris

0

2nd Half

Total

0

0 (T)

0

0 (T)

Women’s soccer against Davenport University, 9/8 1st Half

Truman

0

2nd Half

Davenport

0

0

0

Total

0 (L)

Scorers

Scorers

Set 2

Set 3

25

25

25

19

Total Sets Won

18

0 (L)

3 (W)

Volleyball against Puerto Rico University-Mayagüez, 9/6

Average Time

1st Half

Set 1

20

Total Time

Men’s soccer against Northwood University, 9/5

Top Runner

Volleyball against Palm Beach Atlantic University, 9/6

Set 1

Set 2

14

21

25

25

Set 4

25

Set 5

17

Total Sets Won

25

18

14

15

2 (L)

Set 3

Volleyball against Shaw University, 9/7 Truman

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Total Sets Won

25

14

12

12

1 (L)

25

20

Shaw

3 (W)

25

25

3 (W)

Volleyball against Nova Southwest University, 9/7 Truman

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Total Sets Won

22

22

25

25

15

3 (W)

25

Nova

22

25

Football against Drake University, 9/7 Quarter 1 Q

Truman

Drake

Quarter 2

Q Quarter 3

2 (L)

12

18

Quarter 4

Total

0

3

7

0

10 (W)

0

0

7

0

7 (L)

1 (OT 1) (W) Madeleine Zayan

Scorers

Josh Schneider 46-yd field goal, Lawrence Woods 87-yd kickoff return

Drew Lauer 10-yd pass from Ian Corwin

VOLLEYBALL| After a split result in its first tournament, the Bulldogs are looking forward Continued from page 1 “We’re going to be a very scrappy defensive team,” Briney said. “We played really good defense during the weekend, got a lot of balls, got touches on a lot of balls. We’re chasing balls down that were 25 feet off the court … and getting them back into play.”

Wacker said there was no ball without an effort by the team.

Briney said regardless of the record, his goal this season is to improve week after week. With a conference that is constantly improving, Briney said you can’t take a night off. Whereas Wacker is looking for some wins.

“I fully expect that if we put in 110% this week in practice and during the games, then I believe we will come out with some wins,” Wacker said.

The volleyball team competes next in the Drury Tournament in Springfield, Missouri, Sept. 13-14.

Top: The volleyball team practices in Pershing Arena last season. The team competed in the Nova Southeastern Tournament last weekend.

Above: With seven freshmen on the team, the group is focusing on team chemistry and consistency in practices. Head coach Ben Briney said the Bulldogs found their identity as a scrappy defensive team in the first tournament.

Left: The Bulldogs will compete Friday and Saturday in the Drury Tournament. The team has a record of two wins and two losses so far. Photos by Daniel Degenhardt

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The Index

12

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

UPCOMING EVENTS

SepT.

13 Sept.

15 Sept.

17 Sept.

21 Sept.

23

Volleyball vs. Colorado Mesa University at 9 a.m. in Drury Tournament Volleyball vs. Missouri Western State University at 3 p.m. in Drury Tournament

Men’s soccer vs. Quincy University at Bulldog Soccer Park at noon Women’s soccer vs. Quincy University at Bulldog Soccer Park at 2:30 p.m.

Golf at Evangel Fall Invitational

Men’s, women’s swimming intra-squad meet at Pershing Natatorium at 10 a.m.

Volleyball vs. University of Charleston at 10 a.m. in Bellarmine Tournament Volleyball vs. Trevecca Nazarene University at 4:30 p.m. in Bellarmine Tournament Football vs. Valparaiso University at Stokes Stadium at 7 p.m.

Golf at Evangel Fall Invitational

Sept.

14 Sept.

16 Sept.

20 Sept.

22 Sept.

24

Men’s, women’s cross country at the Les Duke Invite - Grinnell College Volleyball vs. Northern State University at 11 a.m. in Drury Tournament Football vs. Wayne State University at Stokes Stadium at noon Volleyball vs. Northwest Missouri State University at 5 p.m. in Drury Tournament Golf at Evangel Fall Invitational

Volleyball vs. Georgia College at 10 a.m. in Bellarmine Tournament Volleyball vs. Cedarville University at 4:30 p.m. in Bellarmine Tournament Women’s soccer at Rockhurst University at 5 p.m.

Men’s, women’s swimming alumni meet at Pershing Natatorium at 6 p.m.

Men’s soccer at Rockhurst University at 7:30 p.m.

Golf at Drury Fall Invitational Women’s soccer at William Jewell College at noon Men’s soccer at William Jewell College at 2:30 p.m.

Golf at Evangel Fall Invitational

GOLF| New, young team is looking for competition and experience in first tournament Continued from page 1 “With a young roster everyone can travel, keeping golfers more engaged.

The open positions also create a lot more opportunities for the incoming players. With open spots on the traveling team, they all have the ability to be in our top five and travel to tournaments,” Fitzpatrick said. “It will be interesting to see how they handle the pressure.”

Returning golfers ended last season with the goal of improving their game over the summer, Fitzpatrick said, making him anxious and excited to see how their efforts have paid off.

He said he’s not worried because he knows these girls and their work ethic is one of the team’s strengths.

With a favorable schedule, Fitzpatrick’s goal for this season is to win a tournament, something the team hasn’t accomplished since fall of 2012. Fitzpatrick has the players working on more than just improving their scoring from last season to achieve better placements this year.

This season, Fitzpatrick said he made practices more competitive with individual and team challenges, which places extra pressure on the girls to help recreate what they go through

when they’re playing in tournaments.

One challenge during practice would be having them make a certain number of putts in a row without missing, or they start over. Compared to last year, the practices are now more organized and focused. “[Practices] force us to work on the parts of our game that cause us the most problems as a team,” senior Lindsey Repp said.

Once tournaments start, the team will see if these new practices are paying off, especially against their biggest competitors at the Drury University Fall Invitational in Bolivar, Missouri, and the Flyer Intercollegiate Tournament hosted by Lewis University.

This team is the closest group of girls Fitzpatrick has coached in his six years here at Truman. He said these girls still care deeply for one another despite competing against each other on the course.

The returning players are optimistic, welcoming the new freshmen and showing them the ropes.

“The girls on the team are super friendly and very supportive of each other,” freshman Kara Hunt said. “Our coach is really good at making us feel welcome and making sure we are do-

ing okay, too. I love that I already have new friends.”

A younger overall roster and changes to practices are what set the stage for the women’s 2019-20 golf season. Something to note about this

year is how the teams stats will compare from last year with only four seniors. Even with all this young blood, this could be the year Truman’s golf team bounces back with a tournament win.

The golf team poses for a photo after a tournament last season. The team has some fresh faces this year with five freshman joining the roster. Photo by Truman Athletics

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

The Index

13

ATHLETE o f

t h e

w e e k

Junior defensive back Lawrence Woods led the Bulldogs to its first victory in game one of the football season. Woods returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards before getting stopped. Woods received the ball at the 13-yard line from a kick and took it into the end zone, giving the team its first touchdown and a 10-point lead. Woods broke a Truman State University record in the first game of the season by securing his fifth career kick return for a touchdown. Woods, last year’s Great Lakes Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, made eight tackles against Drake University and blocked a field goal attempt, helping the Bulldogs stay ahead for their first game.

Lawrence Woods

BASKETBALL| Theo Dean is now the head coach for women’s basketball

Theo Dean is now serving as the head coach for the women’s basketball team. Dean was previously the assistant women’s basketball coach. Photo by Truman Athletics

Truman competed against the Missouri Western University Griffins in the 2018-19 season. The team has a new coach and some fresh faces this year.

Photo by Daniel Degenhardt

Continued from page 1 Despite getting the news less than a week before practice was set to begin, Dean is confident in this season’s staff and their ability to lead the team to another National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament appearance. Dean, who had not held the position of head coach prior to this year, has been unbothered by the pressure and responsibility that comes with the title.

“It’s my opportunity to put my mark on the program,” Dean said. “At the end of the day, as much as you prepare and watch videos and everything else people do for years to be a head coach, you don’t really understand how to do it until you’re put in the position.”

Dean’s players expressed that the biggest impact Dean has had on his team is the foundational relationships he has developed with each member, even before he held the title of head coach. Dean believes that knowing your players’ personalities and building meaningful relationships is fundamental to running a successful team. As a former Truman student, Dean knows the struggle of Truman classes and the toll it can take on student athletes. Creating an environment where his players feel comfortable and are able to enjoy basketball is imperative to Dean.

Dean’s philosophies are reflected in his players. With music playing on the sidelines and smiles on their faces, the team approaches each of their practices with the same relaxed but focused attitude that greets you at the door of their head coach’s office. His players don’t just unknowingly reflect their coaches attitudes, they recognize his efforts to understand them and speak glowingly of their coach.

“Coach T knows all of us as individuals,” forward Maya Mouton said. “He can jump in and visually show us exactly what he wants. He just knows how to reach all of us.”

Dean’s approach to practices and his team has already made a noticeable difference. Center Katie Jaseckas believes that Dean’s time as an assistant was an important opportunity for him to get an alternate perspective on the team’s needs and ultimately make a positive change for the Bulldogs.

“I’m really excited for the change he’s bringing into the program,” Jaseckas said. “Our practices have been different but in a good way, and I think our team is learning a lot of new and useful things just in the first two weeks of preseason practice.”

This season Dean has had the help of Brie Daniels, a former Truman alumna, who has returned to the staff for her second season as a graduate assistant coach. Daniels was a three-time all-conference performer in her time as a Bull-

dog from 2008-12. Dean and Daniels face the unique challenge of preparing a team with only one senior this year, however, despite the youth of his team, Dean is optimistic.

“All of our returners are experienced,” Dean said. “Yes, we are young in regards to having one senior, but we have three kids that have been on the all-freshman team. Yes, it looks like we’re young on paper, but if you look at the stats we have a ton of experience coming back.”

In addition to experience, Dean and the Bulldogs will be counting on two Div. I transfers and five incoming freshmen to help the team repeat the success of the 2018-2019 season. Sophomore transfer athletes Brioenne Burns, fromStephen F. Austin State University, and Ellie Weltha, from Illinois State University, are expected to make an immediate impact, and will help the Bulldogs keep athletes on the floor at all times and push the pace of the game.

Playing faster is something Dean hopes to prioritize this season. Last season the Bulldogs scored about 20% of their total points in transition. Already at 6% over the national college average, Dean is still looking to play faster.

“Playing fast is fun,” Dean said.

“Playing in transition is fun, having the greenlight to shoot it when you’re open, as long as it’s a good shot, those things are fun. Those are things that we did last year, and we have several pictures of the bench last year going crazy, and that’s the stuff we want to keep doing.”

Last year the Bulldogs finished the season at 23-8 overall and 13-5 in conference, earning them the fourth seed in the conference tournament and a sixth seed in the NCAA National Championship Tournament. Dean knows that following old blueprints will not be enough to elevate his program to a championship level. By pushing the pace and improving the teams mentality and focus, he hopes to again challenge for a Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship and another NCAA Tournament bid.

This season the women’s basketball team has a daunting challenge ahead of them. They will be entering their first season without the winningest coach in program history hoping to replicate the success of the winningest team of all time, all under the control of a firsttime head coach with only one senior leader to lean on. Yet, with each new challenge that this season continues to throw at them, the music on the sideline at practice never stops, the smiles on the bench never fade, the focus on winning each game never waivers and head coach Theo Dean is behind it all, smiling as usual.

HORNER| Truman community supports basketball coach battling cancer Continued from page 1 “[Horner] wants to be around because he loves this program and he loves the guys,” McBeth said. “It’s inspiring to me that he cares so much.”

McBeth said his biggest goals are to make sure the guys don’t experience any difficulties with Horner away and to make sure he is implementing Horner’s vision for the program. With Horner absent, McBeth is running practice, setting the weekly schedule, running weights and film, conducting team and individual meetings and more.

The Bulldogs are also preparing for their alumni weekend the first weekend in October and their opening game in November.

“The support I have received has been more than I could have imagined,” Horner wrote in the statement. “Family, friends and people from various circles have reached out and offered to help in anyway they can. It has truly changed my perspective on a lot of things and made me realize how many people care about my family and me. My whole life I have been dedicated to serving others and now in my time of need the support has been everything I could ask for and more.”

Taurin Hughes shoots the ball in a game from the 2018-19 season. The team is preparing for the new season now. Photo by Kara Mackenzie

Head basketball coach Jeff Horner talks to players in a game last season. Horner was diagnosed with testicular cancer last month. Photo by Truman Athletics

14

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Theo Dean ready to hit the ground running CHASE POTTER Staff Writer

Theo Dean walked onto campus at Truman State University in 2010 as a freshman with no idea that he would one day be the head coach of one of Truman’s most successful programs.

In 2010, Dean was just a visual communication major who loved to play basketball at the Student Recreation Center with his friends. Dean had always loved being around basketball in any capacity, which eventu-

ally led him into the women’s basketball office where he accepted a job as a manager with the team.

After managing for the team, Dean received his undergraduate degree early and became a graduate student, allowing him to become a graduate assistant coach under first-year head coach Amy Eagan. After graduating from Truman with a dream and a plan to coach, Dean moved to Lansing, Kansas, to accept an assistant coaching position at Lansing High School. After a brief stint in Kansas, Dean soon returned to Kirksville to become Eagan’s right-hand man again.

In his three seasons as an assistant alongside Eagan, Dean helped lift the team to their most wins in program

history with 23 last season. Going into this season, his fourth with the team, Dean was expecting to continue his role as an assistant to Eagan until just days before practice was set to begin, when he received the news that Eagan was leaving the program to accept an assistant position at Drury University.

“I found out the day before, officially, from Amy [Eagan] that she was leaving,” Dean said. “My mind was racing because I knew we were starting in five days, so that aspect was kinda nerve racking.”

COACH HORNER RECEIVES SUPPORT

See BASKETBALL page 13

Volleyball begins new season with tie RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

Head basketball coach Jeff Horner has coached the men’s program at Truman State University since 2018. Horner is undergoing treatment for testicular cancer and cancerous lymph nodes at the University of Missouri-Columbia this season.

Photo by Truman Athletics

Head basketball coach undergoes cancer treatment RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief Truman State University men’s basketball head coach Jeff Horner started chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer and cancerous lymph nodes Sept. 3.

Horner announced on social media Aug. 29 that he was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer and had cancerous lymph nodes in his groin area that he will be getting treated at the University of MissouriColumbia for the next 10 weeks. His social media post said he has a 98% survival rate.

Horner wrote in his post that he has received tremendous support and many prayers, and although he might not be able to respond to each and every one of them, his appreciation is unmatched.

“I also want to thank Truman

State University and the Kirksville community,” Horner wrote in a statement to The Index. “Acts of kindness being anywhere from bringing food over, mowing our lawn, giving gas cards and taking our kids for a few hours are something I will be forever in people’s debts in this time of need. This is our home and I am just so appreciative of this University and community.”

Austin McBeth, assistant men’s basketball coach, said the news of Horner’s health was devastating, but he is confident in the coach’s fighting ability. He said he finds it inspiring that Horner continues to show up and fight, even when he might not feel like it.

He said Horner’s strong face for the team has helped calm any panic and made what could be a chaotic time seem less stressful.

“He’s been strong about it, han-

dled it well,” McBeth said. “I think he’s done a good job of using the situation that’s going on to kind of help remind our guys that basketball isn’t everything.”

McBeth said one of the things Horner told the team was that he has learned to not sweat the small things since his diagnosis, a value he is sharing with the players.

McBeth said he thinks the team is supporting Horner well and has used this situation to bring everyone together. He said the team seems to have a stronger mindset during play and are no longer just competing for wins and losses, but for their coach, as well.

Horner is committed to hoops, McBeth said, so the team is supporting him mainly through communication and making sure he doesn’t skip a beat when he returns.

See HORNER page 13

The Bulldogs opened the season with a split tournament last weekend, competing in the Nova Southeastern Tournament.

The volleyball team beat Puerto Rico University-Mayagüez 3-2 and Shaw University 3-1, but lost to Nova Southeastern University and got swept by No. 15 nationally ranked Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Head volleyball coach Ben Briney said the ’Dogs learned a lot in the first tournament. He said players learned more about how they work as a team and what they need to work on as the season progresses.

Senior libero Lauren Wacker said all the teams last weekend were aggressive in the front row, but the ’Dogs enjoyed the challenge the different players posed.

Briney said the team is working on consistency, making sure that whatever the play is that each team member is utilizing the techniques they have been practicing.

He also said the Bulldogs will be working on its offense.

“Our offense needs a little improvement from last weekend,” Briney said. “There were times when we had the ability to maybe take a set that we should have that we didn’t, or certain parts in a set that we could get the momentum going in our direction and we just didn’t get the swing we needed to get.”

Briney said he expected there to be a learning curve at the start of the season, especially with seven freshmen on a team of 17. Part of having new players in new positions, Briney explained, is acquiring a working team chemistry, which he thinks is going well so far.

Wacker said the team could work on being more terminal — meaning hitters putting the ball down after they receive a serve — to get the ball back into possession quicker. She said there are specific drills the team is practicing to get more kills, which involves players holding each other accountable.

Briney said the first tournament also allowed the team to find its identity.

See VOLLEYBALL page 11

Golf gains five new players for fall season ERICA SCHAMEL Staff Writer In the past, the Truman State University golf team has mainly consisted of upperclassmen, but now there are only two upperclassmen on a team of 10.

With such a young team, the competition within the team is wide open, creating anticipation to see which freshmen will make an immediate impact on the course this season. Tryouts were close and competitive this year, resulting in five freshmen joining the roster: twins Sydney and Macyn Young, Molly Jones, Kara Hunt and Natalie Fatka.

Over the 2017-18 season, the team placed second in two out of nine events. The Bulldogs were also fifth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, VOLUME 111

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consecutively improving their results from the conference since 2014. Last season, the team started out doing well in tournaments, but finished 11th out of 14th at the GLVC championships. Even though last season’s results did not live up to the team’s expectations it provided all three freshmen with valuable tournament experience, which Fitzpatrick believes will benefit the team in the upcoming year.

This is something head coach Clint Fitzpatrick plans to build off of with the incoming freshmen given their limited experience with tournaments. With four starters graduating in the past two years, it gives everyone — not just the freshmen — the incentive to play their best, Fitzpatrick said.

See GOLF page 12 tmn.truman.edu

The golf team has five new freshman team members for the fall seson. The Bulldogs are looking for experience in the Evangel Fall Invitational later this month.

Photo by Truman Athletics

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