Gladys Coggswell is known for her tremendous ability to tell stories. She draws upon personal experiences, family sagas, animal tales, historical narratives, self esteem building stories, myths, legends and folk tales. On Feb. 5, she will return to Truman State University to kick off a month- long celebration of Black History Month with activities sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs Center.
Whether storytelling, lecturing, singing, or conducting workshops, Coggswell frequently moves her audience to laughter and even tears. Coggswell, from Frankford, Mo., collects stories from the older residents in the area. She narrates stories from her ancestors and of slavery including "Little Africa," a tract of land near Frankford originally settled by escaped slaves and a train named "the Dinky" which transported African-American children to schools in Hannibal.
She has written more than 50 published newspaper articles and two self-published plays and has appeared at several universities. She has recorded songs and stories and is currently completing a book titled By Word of Mouth, a series of interviews of senior citizens from around the United States who share their unique brand of folklore.
Black History Month Schedule of Events
Feb. 5 -7 p.m. SUB Down Under Gladys Coggswell (The Storyteller) presents Storytelling in the griot (oral) tradition.
Feb. 12 -7 p.m. SUB Alumni Room Ebonics Forum: A Discussion and Exploration of a Language
Feb. 13Ð7 p.m. Multicultural Affairs Center "Trouble Behind," a documentary, searches for the origins of today's racism in the past brutality and present- day denial of a seemingly typical small Kentucky town Ð8:30 p.m. "Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask" Fanon's neo-classical mask was shattered by the racism he encountered in France where he went to train as a psychiatrist
Feb. 17Ð7:30 p.m. Baldwin Auditorium Fusion! A multicultural performing arts presentation combining dance, African drums and contemporary music forms
Feb. 22Ð7 p.m. Baldwin Auditorium Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival featuring trumpeter Jon Faddis
Feb. 23Ð2 p.m. Activities Room Unique Ensemble Gospel Choir Concert
Feb. 27Ð7 p.m. SUB Down Under An Evening of Black Literature, featuring favorite readings of popular black literary works
The Sense of a Woman: 1997 Women's Wellness Symposium, Feb. 15 on the SUB third floor, is an annual focus on women's health issues. This year's symposium features Dr. Bill Hettler, from the University of WisconsinÐStevens Point, to discuss "Well Being, Being Well: Women's Wellness Across the Lifespan." The Symposium is free and open to the entire community.
Sessions available to choose from include: breast cancer, depression, dermatology, gynecology, internet and online services available for wellness information, menopause, osteoporosis, self-defense, self-esteem, sexually transmitted diseases, spirituality. Feel free to come for one session or spend the day.
Thanks to the 1997 sponsors: Northeast Regional Health System; Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; Truman State University Funds Allotment Council, Panhellenic Council, University Wellness Committee and Women's Resource Center; and Planned Parenthood of Northeast Missouri.
Truman students have the opportunity to work at an archeological dig and travel to countries in the Mideast this summer during a Mideast Study Abroad Program scheduled from May 12 to June 20.
Students will live in an Israeli kibbutz on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. They will gain invaluable experience through daily work on the excavation site and through participation in a lecture series by leading scholars in the field. Besides working at Bethsaida, two weeks will also be spent in Syria, eastern Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan visiting archeological sites and experiencing the contemporary culture and political circumstances of these volatile but enormously important historical areas.
An additional week will be spent in Old Jerusalem with a study tour through historical and contemporary sites including several days in the West Bank where students will do volunteer work on the Palestinian farm and interact with students at the University of Bethlehem.
The final week will be spent in Egypt visiting Old and New Cairo, sites of the pyramids, sphinx, and the funerary at Sakkarah, as well as Luxor in Middle Egypt with its pharaonic tombs and the imposing temple of Karnak.
This interdisciplinary program offers students six credit hours in humanities or other areas as approved by one's advisor. The final informational meeting for this program will be Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in McClain Hall 212. For more information contact Mark Appold, associate professor of language and literature and philosophy and religion at 785-7244.
The Division of Fine Arts will host interdisciplinary artist Jeffrey Hoover on Feb. 3 and 4.
Hoover is noted for producing original paintings, which he then uses as source material for the creation of original music compositions. His painting/ composition pairings have received national attention.
During his residency at Truman State University, Hoover will demonstrate his work in music and art to classes and will also conduct master classes.
Hoover is chair of the Department of Fine, Performing and Applied Arts at Illinois Central College. In this capacity, he continues to promote an interdisciplinary approach to the arts.
Stuart Yoak, university registrar at Washington University in St. Louis, will be on campus Feb. 10 to speak with faculty and staff members about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts of 1974 and its consequences for Truman students, faculty and staff.
The FERPA provides current and former students with specific rights and access to and control over their student record information.
The Staff Development Committee will provide the opportunity to learn about FERPA responsibilities during an afternoon session which will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the SUB Governors' Room. All individuals who deal with student records in any manner are encouraged to attend. Call Stacie at 785-4031 to indicate your intent to attend.
Yoak will address faculty concerns from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the SUB Governors' Room. Further information about this session is available from the Faculty Development Office, 785- 4391.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs Search Committee will reinitiate its nationwide search in the fall of 1997. The committee is thankful to the University community for its past participation in the process and trusts it will continue into the next stage. Garry Gordon's appointment as Interim Vice President extends until June 30, 1998.
1997-98 Free Application for Federal Financial Aid:
Renewal applications were mailed out to student's permanent addresses by the Central Processing System in January. 1997-98 FAFSA's will be available after Feb. 1 for those who did not receive the renewal form. All previous college choices are listed on the Renewal FAFSA. Shade the oval of the school you wish to receive FAFSA results. Schools process student aid on first-come, first-served basis, so it is very important to be an early applicant. Truman's Title IV Code is 002495.
Jarrett Anderson will be honored with a local resolution and a state proclamation during the halftime of the women's basketball game Feb. 8. The men's basketball team will autograph posters during halftime and Anderson will autograph posters during the men's game. The Chamber of Commerce will give away T-shirts and pompons during both games.
Blue Key and Cardinal Key are sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 4, 5 and 6 in the SUB Activities Room. Door prizes will be available from local businesses. Appointments are not required but are encouraged.
The February Wellness Luncheon will be Feb. 5 from noon to 1 p.m. in the SUB Governors' Room. Dan Martin of the Thompson Campus Center will present "Heart Healthy Lifestyles." French students and campus franco- phones are invited to Le Coin Franais, an hour of informal conversation with French Assistant Emmanuelle Fasquel every Thursday in the SUB Down Under from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
The 1997 Truman State University Undergraduate Research Symposium is scheduled for March 14. Copies of the Symposium Booklet containing instructions, abstract requirements, submission forms and other information will be available from division offices and the Undergraduate Research Committee. Abstracts are due on Feb. 10. Contact David Lesczynski at 785- 4411 for more information.
Full- and part-time summer positions are available through the Truman Upward Bound Office. Open positions include instructors in mathematics, composition/literature, foreign language and journalism/yearbook; tutors for college freshmen; residential tutors/advisors; and photographer. Application materials are available in Kirk Building 220 and are due Feb. 14.
The CAOC is seeking a Campus Activities Leader staff to assist with the planning and implementation of Freshman Week evening activities. Application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Benefits include free room and board Aug. 13-23 and $50 stipend. There will be a free Valentine's Day Dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Newman Center. The dance is sponsored by the Catholic Newman Center.
Psi Chi is hosting its Second Annual Psychology Conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 22 in Ophelia Parrish 300. The conference will feature interdisciplinary student research presentations related to psychology, a keynote speaker who is an educational psychologist, along with a faculty and graduate panel discussion.
A scholarship for women majoring in education is being offered by the Kirksville Monday Club. Applicants must be of junior status planning to enter the teaching profession, have a 3.0 GPA and show financial need. A written recommendation from a department head is required. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, McClain Hall 103. The deadline is Feb. 28.
Student Hall of Fame nomination forms are available in the CAOC. Students, faculty and staff may nominate seniors graduating by December 1997. The award recognizes those who have had a personal influence on the University or community and have established a standard by which future leaders can measure themselves.
Applications are available for hired tutoring positions at the Multicultural Affairs Center. For further information, call the Center at 785-4142.
KNEU is giving away free CDs from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8. Listeners should be the first caller at 785-KNEU when they hear the arctic blast.
Students are invited to bring their resumes to the Career Center for editing. For more information contact Susan Job, 785-4353. More than 90 companies have already registered for Career Expo.
Ekklesia will host a non-denominational Bible study titled "Nobody's Purfect" on Feb. 10 from 6-7 p.m. in SUB 5. Students, faculty and staff are welcome.
The Funds Allotment Council will host informational meetings Feb. 10-12 at 8:30 p.m. in Ophelia Parrish 111. These meetings will assist organizations wishing to apply for free funding to sponsor events.
The Scholastic Enhancement Experience seeks four students to serve as student program coordinators for the residential scholar program for students of color from June 23 to July 25. Job descriptions and applications are available in the Multicultural Affairs Center, Adair Building. Deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 28.
Paul Armah, assistant professor of agriculture science, had his article "The Relevance of USDA's Grading and Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables to Northeast Missouri Consumers" accepted for publication in American Journal of Agribusiness.
Jim Barnes, writer-in-residence, had his 300-page autobiography, On Native Ground: Memoirs and Impression, published by the University of Oklahoma Press. Barnes has also been invited to be a featured presenter for the Celebration of Books at the Center for Poets and Writers in Tulsa, Okla., on March 21 and 22.
Russell Baughman, professor of chemistry, has had his manuscript, "A Simple Helix Based on 2,2'- Biimidazole Crystal and Molecular Structure of [Ag(NO3)(H2biim0}n" accepted for publication in Polyhedron. A graduate research group at University of Missouri-Rolla co-authored the manuscript.
Ben Bennani, professor of English and comparative literature and editor of Bestia and Paintbrush, was recently notified by the Council of Editors of Learned Journals that Paintbrush was ranked among the top five journals submitted for the Council's annual competition. Seventy-nine prestigious journals entered this year's fierce competition.
David Conner, assistant professor of psychology, had his paper, "Mothers' and Fathers' Scaffolding of 2-year-olds in Problem-Solving and Literacy Interactions" accepted for publication in the British Journal of Development Psychology. Danica Knights and David Cross from Texas Christian University co-authored the paper.
Joe Hamilton, University Counseling Services counselor, recently received his license as a professional counselor from the Missouri State Committee for Professional Counselors. David Ream, also a counselor at UCS, was recently certified as a National Certified Career Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Huping Ling, associate professor of Asian history, attended an international conference Nov. 18-22, 1996, on the Ethnic Chinese in Xiamen, China, where she presented an article titled, "Chinese American Professional Women in Small Midwestern Towns."