About

The Student Public Health Association welcomed 12 new members in the spring semester. SPHA is co-advised by Dr. Janice Clark and Dr. Alicia Wodika.

 

The Truman Athletic Training Academic Quiz Bowl Team placed 1^st on February 6, 2016 at the MOATA Educator’s and Student Leadership Conference in Fayette, MO! The team consisted of Kevin Madden (senior), Jordan Beckett (senior), Mackenzie Mertz (junior), and Madi Hoppe (junior) (not pictured). The Quiz Bowl Team is qualified to represent the state at the District level! The District competition will be held March 18, 2016 in Springfield, MO in conjunction with the MAATA District Conference.

On April 8-10, 2016, Student Public Health Association members attended the Public Health Scholar Bowl and Trivia Challenge at SLU in St. Louis. After leading all 13 teams in the Trivia Challenge, they placed third overall.

Pictured above (from left to right) includes: SPHA members Chaney Cooper, Alex Connor, Brendan Cronley, Clare Pond and co-advisor Dr. Alicia Wodika.

 

 

 

Trivia Team members get ready for their next Trivia match!

Melody Jennings, Exercise Science Professor, received the Women’s Resource Center’s Women of Distinction Faculty Award for her contributions here on Truman’s Campus and in the Kirksville Community. Professor Jennings is well known for her work with the home schooled community through her Fundamental in Movement and Tumbling class teaching a large group of children each Friday. She also runs Melody’s School of Dance & Tumbling in Kirksville where she empowers girls to be fit and healthy. Congratulations Professor Jennings!

The Student Public Health Association sent their seniors off in the last meeting of the semester. They stated, “Thank you to all of our seniors for their service and contributions to the organization. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. Keep being awesome!”

To celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW), the health communication students and nutrition students worked to educate the campus and surrounding community about the many accomplishments of public health. These classes also worked to raise awareness concerning food insecurity, safe sexual practices, older adult health, healthy eating habits, and physical activity.

 

 

 

During National Public Health Week, the health communication students launched the “This is Public Health” social media campaign publicizing Truman’s public health efforts.

 

 

 

During National Public Health Week, the health communication students launched the “This is Public Health” social media campaign publicizing Truman’s public health efforts.

The nutrition students tabled all week at HyVee, Walmart, and on campus to collect donations for the Food Bank and to raise awareness about food insecurity in Missouri. The students raised almost $1600!

Congratulations to the following Health and Exercise Science Organizations and Students for their awards at the Leadership Recognition Banquet on March 30, 2016.

Student Public Health Association- SERVE Outstanding Organization Award (Pictured to the left)

Kevin Ogle- Greek Man of the Year Award

Connor Pratt- Outstanding Greek Chapter President

Jeremy “JJ” Dorrell- Athletic Leadership Award

This semester, the HLTH 150 students have been focusing on understanding food insecurity within the state of Missouri. To reinforce course concepts, students spent a night with the Food Bank packing Buddy Packs. They managed to pack almost 1300 buddy packs within 45 minutes! They almost broke the record for the fastest buddy packing in one night.

Danna Kelly Herrick just ran in her second Olympic Marathon Trial and sent us this update.

“I am proud to be a Bulldog and feel honored to have had the opportunities while at Truman State University in academics (Exercise Science major, Spanish minor), athletics (2-time All-American in Cross Country and Track and Field, school record holder in the 3000 meter steeplechase), and extra-curricular activities (Cardinal Key service organization, Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Following graduation from Truman State University (2009) I went on to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University (Des Moines, Iowa) in 2012. I continued competitive running on the roads while in physical therapy school, qualifying for the Olympic Trials Marathon in 2012. I began working in the outpatient orthopedic setting for Rock Valley Physical Therapy following my schooling and continue work part-time, currently. I trained and raced Ironman Wisconsin with my husband (Justin) in 2014, where we both qualified for and raced in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, in the fall of 2015. I recently competed in the Olympic Trials Marathon for the second time in Los Angeles. It has been such a fun and exiting journey through work, competitive triathlon and marathon, and life in the ‘real world’ since leaving Kirksville. I often reflect on my opportunities and special experiences during my time at Truman and feel very blessed to have had the encouragement and support to push beyond myself. I am so thankful for the relationships I formed and the memories I made as a bulldog, as these helped shape who I am today and what I continue to strive to become as I journey onward.”