Article Tag Archives: Spirit

Show your Truman Spirit on National Spirit Day

Alumni-NationalSpiritDayThere are two times a year where it’s okay to cover your kids, home, office, dog and yourself head-to-toe in Bulldog purple (well, it’s always okay, but there are only two days a year where it’ll earn you prizes). Since 2011, we’ve celebrated Truman National Spirit Day twice a year. Make sure to mark your calendars for Friday, April 4 and Oct. 3, 2014!

We want to see who has the most purple pride. Make sure to send us your pictures:
1.    Tweet them to @TrumanAlumni
2.    Email them to bulldogforever2@truman.edu
3.    Go to alumni.truman.edu and fill out the online photo submission form

Photos will be displayed on our website and Facebook pages, plus prizes will be awarded to those who enter.
Categories include:
• Most Spirit
• Spike’s Purple Pups (for all of Spike’s furry friends)
• Lil’ Truman Tykes (for our younger Truman fans)

Our fall semester (Oct. 4, 2013) winner was Meghan Crider who literally screamed her love for Truman at the top of a mountain! Now that’s dedication. Her purple pride was rewarded with the ultimate Bulldog swag package!

School Spirit

Alumni demonstrated their Bulldog pride on the most recent Truman State University National Spirit Day on April 5, 2013. This tradition began in 2011, when the Truman Alumni Association Board of Directors designated the first Friday in the months of April and October as Truman State University National Spirit Days.

To celebrate Spirit Day, the Truman Alumni Association encourages all alumni, friends and supporters of Truman State University to wear their favorite Bulldog purple attire or Truman (or Northeast) apparel and decorate their homes and offices with Truman gear. In addition, alumni and friends of the University are invited to send the Truman Alumni Association photos displaying their Truman pride. On the last Spirit Day, everyone who submitted a photo received an insulated lunch bag, beverage coolie and window cling courtesy of the Truman Alumni Association.

Mark your calendar for the next Truman State University National Spirit Day on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. To view the Spirit Day Photo Albums, go to alumni.truman.edu/NationalSpiritDay.asp.

Sharing the Gift of Knowledge

Doris (Pierce) Fuller in the 1934 Echo yearbook

Doris (Pierce) Fuller in the 1934 Echo yearbook

A legacy gift to Truman State University commemorates the life of Doris (Pierce) Fuller,
a Truman alumna who was committed to lifelong learning. “She was an amazing woman, never at rest,” said her son, Charles Fuller. A planned gift made by Doris was designated to the Truman Endowment Fund, a permanent resource designed to provide funds for a variety of purposes, including student scholarships, professional development for faculty and students, technology, equipment and other needs.

Born in Shelbina, Mo., Doris earned a bachelor of science degree in education from the University in 1934. She then taught for two years. In 1936, she married Arthur “Bud” Fuller, a country doctor who served the farming communities. Since her husband’s job took him away from home for days at a time, Doris became his medical assistant and midwife so they could travel together. In one year alone, they delivered more than 300 babies and took care of many broken bones and the occasional at-home surgery.

In addition to their son, Charles, Doris and Bud had a daughter, Johnna. In 1964, the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colo. Charles remembers his mother saying, “No point in living in Colorado if you don’t know how to ski,” and at the age of 55, Doris took up snow skiing.
Doris became a strong advocate of her husband’s osteopathic profession, professional women and seniors, and she served in both leadership and supportive roles in the Osteopathic Women’s Guild, Women’s Club, Acacia and AARP.

Since she never had a driver’s license, Doris took the local bus into town saying that it allowed her to ride with “real people.” She was a dedicated volunteer, and up until her mid-80s, she took the bus each week to serve food at a local charity. Doris also sewed on buttons for elderly ladies, many of whom were 20 years her junior.

An incident that occurred when Doris was 70 illustrates her tenacious spirit. One day when she and a friend were hiking in the high mountains on the south slope of Pikes Peak, Doris slipped and fractured her ankle. It was late in the afternoon, and the friend had to walk three miles to the car to seek help. When help finally arrived after dark, they found Doris had splinted her own leg, found a stick for support and was walking out on a compound fracture. She said, “I couldn’t stay up here overnight or I’d freeze to death.” Nearly three decades later, Doris died at the age of 98.

Doris believed in having fun and enjoying life to its fullest. By including a provision in her will to boost the Truman Endowment Fund, she has provided a resource that offers the gift of knowledge for future generations of Truman students.

Truman Alumni Association

All graduates of Truman State University automatically become members of the Truman Alumni Association. Led by a Board of Directors, the Truman Alumni Association sponsors Homecoming activities, Truman State University National Spirit Day, the Truman Alumni & Friends Travel Program, alumni receptions, events for Truman graduates and also supports the 10 regional alumni chapters.

Newsmakers

Ida Mae Wombwell (‘42, ‘64) was inducted into the Brookfield (Mo.) High School Hall of Fame. She began her teaching career in Sedalia, Mo., where she taught instrumental and choral music. The remainder of her teaching career was spent in the Brookfield school system until her retirement in 1976.

Joyce (Luker) Wilson (’58), of Waldport, Ore., received Job Corps’ National Director’s Honor Award for Excellence in Education. She is a high school teacher at Angell Job Corps, which offers high school students the opportunity to earn a GED or a high school diploma while at the same time receiving training to become proficient in a number of vocational pathways.

Dennis Buhr (’63, ’67) received the Special Ambassador Award, the highest recognition given by the Special School District of St. Louis County. The award is presented to members of the community who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the District’s students and staff. Buhr, of Chesterfield, Mo., is a volunteer with the Special Education Foundation.
Craig Hintz (’69), superintendent of Warsaw Community School Corporation, was honored as the 2013 State Superintendent of the Year by the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.

Randa Rawlins (’79) was presented with the Enterprise Award at the Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly Women’s Justice Awards Ceremony in April 2012. The award recognizes women in a business setting for their contributions to improving the quality of the justice system. Rawlins serves as general counsel for Shelter Insurance in Columbia, Mo.

Mary Rhodes Russell (’80), who serves on the Missouri Supreme Court, was recognized with the Spirit of Martha Award presented by the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The award honors a Mizzou alumnus or faculty member who has distinguished herself in her chosen field as well as exemplified the spirit of leadership, particularly in the furtherance of women.

Cindy (Bonser) Gurney (’82) was inducted into the Chaffey College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mary McFarland (’84) received the Special Ambassador Award, the highest recognition given by the Special School District of St. Louis County. The award is presented to members of the community who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the District’s students and staff. McFarland is a teacher at Ritenour High School in St. Louis.

Tania Cook (’85) was honored with the President’s Call to Service Award which was presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The award was given in recognition of Cook’s commitment to strengthening the nation and making a difference through volunteer service.  Cook, who is a skills training coordinator at Job Point in Columbia, Mo., was also named to the Show-Me State Games Hall of Honor. She has been involved with the State Games for 25 years.

Scott Zajac (’85) was named among the Class of 2012 “50 Missourians You Should Know” published in Ingram’s magazine. He is the managing partner at Advantage Capital Partners in St. Louis.

Sarah (Hartmann) Burkemper (’92), of Troy, Mo., was named on the most recent list of “50 Missourians You Should Know” published in Ingram’s magazine (March 2013). Burkemper, who is a certified public accountant and a certified financial planner, is a member of Truman State University’s Board of Governors.

Aaron Wills (’93, ’95) received the Special Ambassador Award, the highest recognition given by the Special School District of St. Louis County. The award is presented to members of the community who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the District’s students and staff. Wills, of Ballwin, Mo., is principal at Claymont Elementary in the Parkway School District.

Brent Schowe (’94), vice president with Commerce Trust Company, St. Louis, was part of an investment management team honored by Lipper with its highest rating in the Best Fixed Income Small Fund Group. Lipper, a leading provider of mutual fund information, analytical tools and commentary, selected Commerce for the top spot from 61 qualified companies in this category. Schowe is a senior fixed income analyst for Commerce Trust, the money management arm of Commerce Bank.

Anthony Butler (’96) was named a 2012 Rising Star by the Living Classrooms Foundation and the Baltimore Business Journal. The award recognizes outstanding young leaders for their achievements and philanthropic efforts. Butler is a partner with the law firm of Trye Butler Mayo Griffith in Baltimore, Md.

Kelly McCambridge-Parker (’96) received a Rising Star Award at the Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly Women’s Justice Awards Ceremony in April 2012. The award recognizes women lawyers age 40 or under or within the first 10 years of practice who have already made a difference in the justice system or the profession and who appear on a path toward even greater accomplishment. McCambridge-Parker is a trial attorney and mediator with Holman Schiavone in Kansas City, Mo.

Carli Conklin (’97, ’99), an associate professor of law at the University of Missouri School of Law, was presented with the Legal Scholar Award at the Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly Women’s Justice Awards Ceremony in April 2012. The award is presented to female faculty members or administrators at Missouri law schools in recognition of their work on behalf of the justice system, through their research or scholarship or through teaching and inspiring others.

Chad Moore (’97), of Kansas City, Mo., was named among the “40 Under 40: A 15-Year Honor Roll” published in Ingram’s magazine (April 2013). He is the director of operations for the Children’s Mercy Pediatric Care Network.

Hina Patel (’97, ’98) was honored with the Professional and Scientific Distinguished Service Award presented by Iowa State University. The award recognizes professional and scientific employees who demonstrate exemplary service to the college. Patel is the director of Teacher Education Services at Iowa State University.

Jas Sullivan (’97) received the 2012 MKN TRiO Achiever Award at the 34th Annual Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska (MKN) TRiO Conference in Kansas City in April 2012. The award recognizes outstanding former TRiO participants for success in their current field. Sullivan is an assistant professor of political science and African and African-American studies at Louisiana State University.

Petra DeWitt (’98), a professor in the Department of History and Political Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, was honored with the 2012 Missouri History Book Award presented by the State Historical Society of Missouri. She is the author of Degrees of Allegiance: Harassment and Loyalty in Missouri’s German American Community During World War I.

Elizabeth Schuerman (’00) was a recipient of the Indiana Lawyer Leadership in Law Award and has also been named in the Indiana Super Lawyers-Rising Stars Edition. Schuerman is a partner at Bose McKinney & Evans LLP.

Dominic Armstrong (’02), an opera singer, was among the seven winners who received the 2013 George London Foundation Awards. The London Foundation supports and nurtures young singers, and the George London Foundation for Singers competition is one of the oldest vocal competitions in the United States and Canada.

Karin (Ellis) Ricker (’03) was among the “40 Under 40 Nurse Leaders” honored by the Nebraska Action Coalition. The award recognizes 40 nurse leaders under the age of 40 across the state of Nebraska.

Frank Fleschner (’05), a member of the Kansas City Chorale, attended the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in February 2013. The Kansas City Chorale won two Grammy Awards for their recording, “Life & Breath: Choral Works by Rene Clausen,” including Best Engineered Album (Classical) and Best Choral Performance. Fleschner is a technology professional and consultant in Kansas City, Mo.

Oseyi Ikuenobe (’05) was named in the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2012 “30 Under 30.” The publication had more than 200 nominations and features some of the most accomplished young professionals in the St. Louis area. Ikuenobe is an IT solutions
architect for Monsanto.

Brian Santos (’05, ’06) was named Teacher of the Year at Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, Mo. He teaches Spanish 1, 3 and 4.

Amy (Schweizer) Guthrie (’07, ’09), of North Central Missouri College, received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which was presented by the Missouri Community College Association.

Kevin Harrison (’08) was honored as Area Director of the Year by the K-Life National Board of Directors. He serves as the area director for the Kirksville K-Life. K-Life works with more than 200 area youth to build positive relationships through activities such as weekly clubs for middle and high school students and bi-weekly meetings for those in K-5th grade.

Tajanette Sconyers (’10) received the MKN Rising TRiO Achievers Scholarship. MKN is the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska chapter of the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, one of 10 regional associations that form the Council for Opportunity in Education.