IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPACT OF DONORS who give year after year, Truman has unveiled the Tried & True consecutive giving society. Tried & True honors donors who give consecutively in two or more fiscal years at any amount. Consecutive donors provide a stable base of support to advance the University. Connecting to University history, each of the Tried & True levels are named in honor of notable faculty from Truman’s past.

NAME A SEAT in Baldwin Hall Auditorium for yourself or in honor or memory of someone special, and help keep Truman’s stage filled with memorable performances and educational experiences for generations to come.

INTERNSHIPS ARE AN INVALUABLE PART of a student’s education, providing practical experience that connects classroom learning to real-world challenges. As Truman looks to the future, the University’s new strategic plan emphasizes intentional curricular and co-curricular opportunities to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. By building essential professional skills within the richness of a liberal arts and sciences education, Truman graduates gain a distinct advantage.

That advantage grows even stronger when alumni open doors for current students and recent graduates. Whether by offering internships, hiring Truman graduates, serving as mentors or making professional introductions, alumni play a powerful role in helping students translate their Truman education into meaningful careers.

Knowing the value of an internship experience and the power of alumni engagement, Shannon (’02) and Mike (’02) Favazza hosted 50 close friends and colleagues for a Truman event at their home at the end of February. Shannon, a principal at Edward Jones and member of Truman’s Business Advisory Board, and Mike, chief financial offers at Remiger Design, an architecture an interior design firm, were looking for ways to support the University and knew they could make a big impact if they gathered the right people together.

The Favazzas established the St. Louis Are Internship Access Fund to offer more opportunities to Truman students seeking internships in the St. Louis area. The initiative advances student access, equity and career readiness and is especially designed for students in unpaid, underpaid financially inaccessible internships.

With gifts from the kickoff event, the fund initially reached more than $35,000 in commitments. The momentum continued at the Growing Truman Connections event hosted at Edward Jones’ St. Louis headquarters on April 22, where more than 150 guests heard from Alison Ayers, executive director of career services and employer relations, and Truman student Anna Kuhnert (’26) about the new initiative. Now at more than $40,000, the fund is expected to support 20 students.

Internships have the power to completely shape a student’s future, but not every student has equal access to those opportunities. My internship in St Louis gave me the confidence and professional experience that helped me for a full-time career after graduation. Through my experiences at Truman State University, I learned how to communicate professionally, adapt quickly and contribute with confidence from day one. Support for internship access means investing in students’ futures and creating opportunities that truly can change lives.

Anna Kuhnert (’26)

As Truman continues to emphasize experiential learning and career readiness, alumni and friends have an exciting opportunity to help students take the next step. private support makes internships more accessible, while alumni employers create lasting impact by hiring Truman students and graduates, offering internships and connecting talented Bulldogs to meaningful professional opportunities.

The St. Louis Are Internship Access Fund demonstrates how philanthropy can help students pursue their goals while reinforcing one of Truman’s greatest strengths: a network of alumni who invest in the next generation through both generosity and opportunity.

Matthew Doyle (’00, ’02)

LONGTIME Truman Accountancy Advisory Board member Matthew “att” Doyle (’00,’02) passed away unexpectedly, Jan. 17, 2026. In honor of his career, friends and coworkers established a scholarship with matching gifts from PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PwC). With more than $300,000 in figts, this endowed scholarship is anticipated to generate more than $12,000 annually in scholarship support for accouting students who hail from the St. Loui area.

ALUMNI MEMBERS of the Phi Lambda Chi/Phi fraternity donated more than $130,000 to establish the Phi Lamb Scholarship endowment. Steve Clem (’73) shared, “Fraternities and sororities are as valuable now as ever. They build character, develop leadership abilities and establish community bonds that last a lifetime. It is an honor to support those ideals in current Truman students.”

University President Sue Thomas, Rich Cole (’80), Steve Clem (’73) and Eric Rosenbloom (’85)

University President Sue Thomas with Jennifer D. Austin (’92, ’93)

THE FOUNDATION CELEBRATION took place April 11, honoring the impact alumni and friends make a Truman through philanthropy. new members of Truman’s prestigious giving societies were recognized, and Jennifer D. Austin (’92,’93) was bestowed with the President’s Leadership Award for her years of engagement and generosity. As a partner at KPMG, Austin played a key role in establishing the KPMG Accounting Excellence Fund, and she has recently established the Jennifer D. Austin Accounting excellence Fund to further support the program that helped shape her commitment to excellence and thoughtful leadership.

JACKIE JACKSON ASSUMED THE ROLE of vice president for advancement at Truman State University in January 2026, bringing more than 15 years of higher education advancement experience and a strong commitment to strengthening the role alumni engagement and philanthropy plays in student succes.

As vice president, Jackson leads Truman’s fundraising and lumni relations efforts, working closely with the Truman State University Foundation, Alumni Association, campus partners and supporters to build meaningful connections that advance the University’s mission.

Jackie Jackson

“With the rapidly evolving higher education landscape, and our deep and unwavering commitment to student support and success, the work of advancement has never been more important,” said University President Sue Thomas. “Jackie brings invaluable strategic knowledge and expertise, as well as great energy to the role, and I am excited for what her leadership will accomplish for Truman.”

Since arriving at Truman. Jackson has focused on listening and learning, meeting with campus leaders, alumni, donors, board members and community partners to better understand Truman’s strengths, traditions and opportunities for growth. She has also enjoyed becoming part of the Kirksville community with her family.

Jackson is active in organizations that build community and create opportunities for service, include P.E.O. and Rotary. She earned and Ed.D. in organization leadership in higher education from Abilene Christian University and holds two degrees of the University of Central Missouri.

“From the first time I stepped on campus, I knew Truman was a special place, distinguished by a passionate and deeply engaged network of alumni and supporters,” Jackson said. “It is exciting to partner with the Advancement team to promote and elevate the institution’s impact whioe ensuring student success for generations to come.”

Alumni and friends are encouraged to connect with Jackson to share their Truman story, discuss ways to get involved or learn more about the supporting the University.

Contact
Jackie Jackson
Vice President for Advancement
Email: jsjackson@truman.edu
Phone: 660.785.6076