Dear Colleagues:

Words cannot express how appreciative I am of the efforts of so many individuals, both on and off campus, to make Truman Homecoming 2022 such a fabulous success!  From the streets lined with purple flags to the painted downtown windows to the beautifully adorned campus, Truman/K-VEGAS provided a spectacular venue for our entire campus community as well as our alumni, honorees, and friends to celebrate Homecoming and their connections to our beloved University.  A special shout-out to our caring students who raised just over $17,000 for Special Olympics!

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 impressive alumni and friends provide 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, Chair of the Board, began the meeting by recognizing two former Board members for their exemplary service on the Board.  Governor Jimmy O’Donnell served as a member of the Board of Governors from March 2012 to May 2022, serving as Secretary in 2013, Vice Chair in 2014, and Chair in 2015.  Governor Abby Smeltzer served as Student Representative to the Board from June 2020 to September 2022.

The bulk of the meeting consisted of reports from various constituents associated with the University.  Representatives of RubinBrown LLP accounting firm reviewed the draft of 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, shared updates from Advancement and their respective boards.  A representative of Lightcast, an international economic modeling company, previewed Truman’s recently completed and powerful economic impact study, a summary of which can be found at https://economicimpact.truman.edu/.  Winston Vanderhoof, Chair of Staff Council and Senior Graphic Designer, provided the annual report from Staff Council, and I provided a President’s Report highlighting, in particular, a number of community initiatives including several successful enrollment presentations to various city and civic groups in Kirksville, the Rotary Club of Kirksville “Fly the Flag” program expanded to allow purple flags representing Truman to be displayed on days of importance to the university, and my upcoming presentation at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce Workforce2030 Conference in Kansas City.  Finally, during their committee meetings, the Board reviewed financial reports and received updates in the areas of academic affairs, student services, enrollment, and construction projects.

In terms of action items, the Board approved the purchase of a Duel-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Machine to replace an existing DXA machine purchased in 2011.  The current DXA machine is used extensively in the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences and has become outdated for instructional and research purposes.  Building Resource Studio, LLP from St. Louis was selected to provide architectural services for the 2023 Masonry Repair/Roofing Project, a project which will address masonry repairs at several locations and replace the 20-year-old Ophelia Parrish roof.  Finally, the Board revised the Bylaws and Code of Policies of the Board of Governors pertaining to the role of the General Counsel, revisions that better reflect how the position relates to the Board of Governors and the University President.

The complete open session agenda from the October 7 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 3.

It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the semester.  The first half of the semester has been great, and here’s to an even better second half!

All the best,
Sue