Dear Colleagues:

Truman Homecoming 2021 “All Roads Lead Home” was a huge success!  Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are individually special, but it is the combination of everyone together that is the magic of Truman and it is what we celebrated this weekend.  “All Roads Lead Home” was the perfect theme for this year’s homecoming, and I was reminded once again of how extremely proud I am to be a member of the Bulldog family!  I express my deep appreciation to everyone who helped orchestrate the week’s wonderful events.  A special shout out to our students who raised over $15,700 for the FLATS!

In conjunction with Homecoming, we were pleased to have members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board of Directors, and Alumni Association Board of Directors on campus for their annual October meetings.  These fabulous alumni and friends extend their unwavering service, dedication, and leadership to the University and serve as outstanding representatives of Truman.

In terms of the Board of Governors meeting, Sarah Burkemper, Vice Chair of the Board, chaired Friday’s meeting held in the Conference Room of the Student Union.  During the meeting, the Board received several reports.  Representatives of RubinBrown LLP accounting firm reported on the annual audit of the University.  Dr. Ernie Hughes, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Dawn Tartaglione, President of the Foundation Board of Directors; and Jamie Matthews, President of the Alumni Board of Directors, shared updates from Advancement and their respective meetings held earlier in the day.  I provided a President’s Report highlighting many of the initiatives happening on campus and shared that through the good work of U. S. Senator Roy Blunt, Truman is included in the proposed Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.  Included in the proposed bill is federal funding of $3,420,000 for facilities and equipment to completely finish the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center and $900,000 to launch graduate programs in music therapy and vocational rehabilitation.  It is my understanding that this is only the second time Truman has been included in a federal funding bill, and it is the largest proposed federal appropriation ever.   I am extremely grateful for Senator Blunt’s support.  Finally, at the meeting and within their committee meetings, the Board reviewed financial reports, received updates on enrollment management and on-campus construction projects, and received information related to the Summer Writing Initiative for New Grants (SWING) and MoExcels and GEER Excels Grants.  Highlights were also shared from the recent Celebration of Faculty Scholarship, TruSolutions, and Mid-Scream events.

The complete open session agenda from the October 22nd meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/board-of-governors-agendas/. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, December 4.

May the second half of your semester be even better than the first and, if you have not already done so, I strongly encourage you to participate in the vaccination incentive program prior to midnight on Monday, November 1.

Go Bulldogs!
Sue