Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Saturday under the leadership of Nancy Gingrich, Board Chair.  Before their afternoon meeting, the board participated in a working session and committee meetings and enjoyed viewing the Nursing Simulation Center in the Health Sciences Building and the new nursing lab in the Pershing Building.

The board commenced their meeting by welcoming Taylor W. Burks.  On April 15, Governor Mike Parson appointed Governor Burks to the Board of Governors, filling the expired term of Cheryl J. Cozette, who served as a member of the Board since 2007.   The board approved resolutions of appreciation for Governor Cozette and Ella Schnake, whose term as Student Representative to the Board of Governors concluded with her graduation from Truman in May.  Additionally, a resolution of commendation was adopted for Jacob Morris, who clinched the National Championship in the Men’s Discus Throw at the 2024 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship.  Jacob and Governors Cozette and Schnake are expected to be recognized in person at the board’s October meeting in conjunction with Homecoming.

Other items approved by the board include:

Operating Budgets for Fiscal Year 2025
The operating budgets for FY25 were developed using state funding based on Governor Parson’s recommendations for FY25 appropriations. The General Assembly approved the proposed increase of 3%. Although the Governor still needs to sign the FY25 appropriation bill, he is expected to do so since the appropriation matches his executive budget proposal.

Academic Promotion Salary Policy for 2024-25 Academic Year
Faculty members who are promoted in rank for the 2024-25 AY (excluding those whose salaries for the 2024-25 AY have been established by separate agreements) will be given the following increase in salary:  Instructor to Assistant Professor $1,000; Assistant Professor to Associate Professor $3,800; and Associate Professor to Professor $7,500.

Marketing and Management Services for Fiscal Year 2025
Enliven Agency, LLC will provide marketing services to the University for FY25 focused on undergraduate marketing, graduate marketing, brand marketing, annual fund campaign, and professional marketing services.  By leveraging Enliven’s extensive experience and creative capabilities and establishing a year-round presence in key markets, the University will continue to elevate the marketing and recruitment plans, improve internal processes, and establish a robust foundation for our marketing efforts.

Planetarium Projector Replacement
The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium will be updated with Norxe P60 projectors and auto-alignment and blending software, given that the current equipment and software purchased in 2014 are losing their quality and will no longer be supported by the vendor.  The project will be funded by institutional and foundation support.

Request for Naming Opportunities
Room 1017 of the University Career Center in the Kirk Building will be named the Meredith Willcox Career Planning Office, and the Box Office in Baldwin Hall Auditorium will be called the Dr. Jacqueline Collette Box Office. Both naming opportunities recognize financial contributions that meet the guidelines for naming opportunities per Foundation Board policy.

Faculty Promotions and Academic Tenure
During the closed session, the Board reviewed recommendations for promotion and tenure effective with the 2024-25 AY.  Please join me in congratulating these dedicated faculty members and thanking them for all they do for our students and the University.  Faculty promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor include Jana Ogden, Nursing; Rolena Stephenson, Health Science; Rafael Tubongbanua, Nursing; and Timothy Wiser, Physics.  Faculty promoted from Associate Professor to Professor include Anton Daughters, Anthropology; Rebecca Dierking, English Education; Yuna Ferguson, Psychology; Brian Snyder, Health and Exercise Sciences; and Scott Thatcher, Statistics.  Faculty granted academic tenure include Jana Ogden, Nursing; Rolena Stephenson, Health Science; Scott Thatcher, Statistics; Rafael Tubongbanua, Nursing; and Timothy Wiser, Physics.

In addition to the above action items, Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Marketing, provided the annual Enrollment Management Report, and I offered a President’s Report addressing legislative updates.  The board also heard reports from their three committees and reviewed financial reports and the status of previously approved construction projects.

The open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 3.

I hope your summer is enjoyable and restorative!

All the best,
Sue