The Index Vol. 109 Issue 24

Truman State University tmn.truman.edu THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018 tmn.truman.edu

@TrumanMediaNet TrumanMediaNetwork

FEATURES | Renovation featuring student art coming to library pit Page 7

SPORTS | Head softball coach Erin Brown reaches 300-win milestone Page 14

Art major will offer photography concentration Students prepare presentations for annual research conference

BY NICOLAS TELEP News Text Editor

Truman State University’s Art Department will add a photography concentration to its degree program beginning fall 2018.

A photography major was part of the curriculum until the late 1990s and has been a minor in the department for a few years. Strong interest in the major and the availability of a professor were factors leading to the reinstatement of a photography concentration within the art major.

Art Department Chair Aaron Fine said the department surveyed art students and found many were interested in majoring in photography. He said the photography minor is very popular and, some years, the department has more photography minors than the program was designed for.

Additionally, he said prospective students have expressed interest and asked if there was a photography major.

See PHOTOGRAPHY, page 5

BY RYAN PIVONEY Staff Writer

Photo by Athena Geldbach/TMN Students and faculty members attend a photography exhibition in the Truman State University Art Gallery. After almost two decades, the art major will reinstate a photography concentration.

City plans for aquatic center

BY ELISABETH SHIRK Staff Writer

said the large community area could be used for wedding rentals, club meetings, anniversary parties and youth programming.

“So there are certain aspects of wellness we could do [like Zumba or aerobic classes], but really we’re looking for a larger gathering place for a multi-generational community center,” Sadler said.

The Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department is negotiating a contract with a team of consultants to plan the location, design and construction of a new aquatic and community center.

The City Council will decide whether to approve the team of consultants at its April 2 meeting. If the team is approved, the Parks and Recreation Department will begin deciding on a location for the new aquatic and community center and getting input from the Kirksville community.

Rodney Sadler, Parks and Recreation Department director, said bids for the project will go out after working with community members. He Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN said the process will begin next May, and Kirksville’s current aquatic center is located at Rotary Park. A new aquatthe city anticipates ic center, funded by a voter-approved municipal sales tax, might be conbreaking ground the structed at the site of the current pool or at another park. same month. Sadler said the city would like to open the complex in May Sadler said the department does not want to du2020, meanwhile the current aquatic center would plicate the services of places like the YMCA or Truremain open. However, he said if the new complex man State University’s Student Recreation Center. is built at the Rotary Park site, the existing aquatic Sadler said City Council is considering many opcenter would be closed during construction. tions for the location of the new facility. He said Rotary Sadler said the project would include an indoor Park, the YMCA and North Park are areas of interest. pool, an outdoor pool and a community center. He See AQUATIC CENTER, page 5

Truman State University will host the annual Student Research Conference on April 5, an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to present the research and work they have done throughout the year.

The conference happens at various places across campus. In the afternoon, there is a reception and poster session in the Student Union Building.

Chad Montgomery, Office of Student Research director, said there are about 240 presentations from 50 different areas of study across multiple disciplines at this year’s conference. He said the conference provides valuable exposure experience for students and an opportunity to discover what is happening across disciplines at Truman.

Students in all disciplines participate in a variety of activities, Montgomery said, and the conference is an opportunity to showcase their efforts.

“These students get this culminating experience because they get to show off their work and take pride in their work, but the campus in general gets to see what’s happening across disciplines.”

Montgomery said students at other schools might not get the same opportunity to participate in a research conference like this. The Student Research Conference at Truman began in 1988, making it one of the longest continually running student research conferences in the country, Montgomery said. He said previously the conference was only available to students studying science and human potential performance, which would now be called health and exercise sciences.

Associate Provost Kevin Minch said the conference is a benefit for students because it provides an opportunity to go through the process of submitting a proposal, giving a formal presentation and receiving feedback in a conference setting. He said the experience the Student Research Conference provides is useful preparation for graduate school and academic conferences. Minch said the conference also offers an opportunity for students that might not otherwise be able to participate in the formal process of submitting research and presenting.

Minch said one of Truman’s points of pride is the many opportunities for high-impact experiences, including the Student Research Conference.

“The vast majority of the students who participate in this conference are undergraduate students, but it is open to both graduate and undergraduate students,” Minch said. “For undergraduate students, the opportunity to do undergraduate research is something you don’t get at every institution, so it’s one of the things that Truman has historically been able to pride itself on.”

Minch said students who are not presenting are still encouraged to engage with the conference.

Classes at Truman are canceled the day of the conference to allow students more freedom to choose which presentations they would like to attend.

Rap artists DRAM and Fetty Wap to perform at SAB spring concert

BY NICOLAS TELEP News Text Editor

Student Activities Board is bringing rap artists DRAM and Fetty Wap to perform at Truman State University’s spring concert.

The pair will perform April 14 in Pershing Arena.

SAB has been promoting the concert since February but just announced the headliners Tuesday. SAB decided to host a rap music concert based on student feedback and Spotify listening data SAB examined.

Senior Blake Buthod, former SAB president, said because the concerts SAB hosted in recent years have stuck to a handful of sub-genres, there was desire among members of SAB to break the mold. The last major rap concert on campus was B.o.B in 2012.

Buthod said the concert committee considers data from surveys SAB periodically sends out, considering year-to-year trends in survey results.

Buthold said since joining SAB in 2014, attendance at campus concerts has varied from 400-1,000 students. He said Pershing Arena has a capacity of more than 1,000, but the concert this year is not expected to bring in more than that number.

Buthod said SAB knew who would perform at the concert more than a month ago but needed to wait to make the announcement because of a long contracting process. He said SAB needs permission from the artists to make promotional materials, which goes through several agents, prolonging the process.

Junior Hannah Smiles, SAB concerts committee chair, said attendance at campus concerts has

gone up since SAB switched from doing multiple, smaller concerts each year to one, large-scale concert a few years ago. She said SAB wanted to bring in someone who had not previously performed at Truman. Smiles said when the committee was considering genres for the concert, rap emerged because it has been increasing in popularity recently among students.

Smiles said the committee chose 10-12 artists to present to the all of SAB after researching each one.

She said the concerts committee has been working throughout the year, and it took about two months to research the artists. She said the committee chose the most reliable and cost-efficient popular artists they could find and thought DRAM and Fetty Wap would appeal to various types of music fans, broadening interest in the concert.

Smiles said the committee spent about $100,000 on this year’s concert, which is similar to the amount SAB spent on concerts in previous years.

Buthod said SAB has an annual budget of about $300,000 and performance fees for popular artists start at about $30,000 and go up from there. He said SAB wants to bring popular artists students want to see, but it is not willing to overspend on a concert.

“We are absolutely not going to spend 100 grand [each] on two artists to bring to Truman,” Buthod said. “That would be two-thirds of our budget, and that’s not what we’re interested in doing.”

Tickets are currently on sale for the concert and cost $7 for students.

Spring 2018 Concert DRAM and Fetty Wap previous concerts Fall 2016: Bowling for Soup and Timeflies Spring 2016: Andy Grammer and Ben Rector Spring 2015: MisterWives and Smallpools Fall 2014: Matt and Kim and not a planet Spring 2014: Hoodie Allen Fall 2013: Phillip Phillips

There will be no issue of The Index next week because of term break and the Student Research Conference.

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 24 © 2018

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

City to update policy concerning Airbnb permits

BY RYAN PIVONEY Staff Writer

The City of Kirksville is looking to update the policy to issue special-use permits to operate an Airbnb residence.

Currently, there are two Airbnb locations in Kirksville operating in compliance with the city law that requires a special-use permit. Kirksville City Planner Chayton True said the city rejected one special-use permit for operating an Airbnb location after a public hearing showed there was little support for the business among neighbors.

True said to operate an Airbnb residence, citizens first need to apply for the special-use permit with the Planning and Zoning Commission where it is reviewed and where additional conditions might be applied. The Planning and Zoning Commission holds a public hearing, then gives its recommendation to Kirksville City Council to grant or deny the permit, he said. The City Council hosts another public hearing before voting. In total, the process takes about two months.

True said the proposed policy is meant to define Airbnb locations and help guide the Planning and Zoning Commision through the process of granting

permits. He said the new policy defines Airbnb locations in separate ways to differentiate between the various housing options Airbnb allows for. True said people can temporarily rent out an entire residence or a portion of it, but this requires a host on site during overnight hours. The new policy would restrict Airbnb locations to a maximum of four guests and a maximum one-month stay.

“We’re not trying to shut down Airbnbs in town,” True said. “We are just trying to make sure they are doing everything they can to make sure they are not adversely affecting the quality of life of their neighbors around them.”

Mental Wellness Week kicks off with night walk

Photos by Julia Siebecker/TMN Top: Students gather at Kirk Memorial to begin Walk With Me for suicide awareness Sunday, March 25. The night walk was the first event of Mental Wellness Week at Truman State University.

Left: Students started the night walk at The Quad. Student Government sponsors Mental Wellness Week.

Bottom Left: Students light candles at the night walk. Other events for Mental Wellness Week include a panel with University Counseling Services and a presentation by attempted suicide survivor Kevin Hines.

Bottom Right: Students continue the walk past the Pershing Building. The Greek Mental Wellness Committee, Enactus, Panhellenic Council and health science Department also planned events for Mental Wellness Week.

staff Serving the University community since 1909 Editor-in-Chief Brently Snead Assistant Editor Johanna Burns News Editor (Text) Nicolas Telep Features Editor (Text) Rachel Fechter Opinions Editor Morgan Gervais Sports Editor (Text) Rachel Steinhoff Sports Editor (Multimedia) Jeremy Jacob Copy Chief MacKenna Palazza Assistant Copy Chief Trevor Hamblin Photo Editor Bethany Travis Design Chief Mariah Radle

Distribution Manager Jessica Rose Staff Writers Jase Willhite, Ashley

Murphy, Kennedy Martin, Paul Province, Patrick Pardo, Stephanie Hulett, Brooke Bailey, Travis Maiden, Ryan Pivoney, Dana Bartch, Gordon McPherson, Justin Newton, Aura Martin, Elisabeth Shirk Sales Manager Joey Iaguessa Copy Editors Molly Thal, Bethany Spitzmiller, Ellen Thibodeau, Allyson Lotz, Elise Hughes, Cara Quinn, Jenna Faulkner

Cartoonists Annie Kintree, August Davis Designers Georgia Gregory, Maddie

Kamp, Emmett Divendal, Emily Taylor, Kaitlyn Farmer Photographers Lawrence Hu, Athena Geldbach, Austin Dellamano, Daniel Degenhardt, Hannah Ahlenius, Samantha Garrett Distribution Representatives Greta Roettegen, Amanda Claywell Adviser Don Krause

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

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calendar UCS Mental Wellness Panel

SAB Broadway Trivia Night

Spring Theatre Lab Show

March 29 7 p.m.

Baldwin Hall Little Theater

March 29 7 p.m.

SUB Georgian Rooms

April 5-7 8 p.m.

Black Box Theatre

Truman State University Student Government will host a panel with University Counseling Services. Students can anonymously submit questions online. The panel is part of Student Government’s Mental Wellness Week.

The Student Activities Board will host a Broadway trivia challenge. Teams of 3-5 can compete, and SAB will award prizes to the top three teams. Teams can sign up online or at the door. The event is free, and SAB will provide refreshments.

The Truman State University theatre department’s student-directed lab show will be Gina Gionfriddo’s “Rapture, Blister, Burn.” The play, a comedy which examines gender politics, follows two women as they finish graduate school and end up living very different lives. Admission is free.

The Big Event

Showgirls Dance Team Clinic

Cantoria and Orchestra Concert

April 7 9 a.m.

The Mall The SERVE Center will host the 17th Annual Big Event. Participants can sign up for the one-day volunteer service project individually or in teams until 5 p.m. April 1. Members of Greek organizations will receive Greek Week points for participating in The Big Event.

April 7 April 7 8 p.m.

12 p.m.

Pershing Building Small Gym Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall Individuals interested in trying out for the Showgirls Dance Team must attend the clinic. Applicants will develop a one-minute routine and choreograph it to completion. They will also learn the Truman State University fight song and other routines. The Showgirls will host tryouts the following day at 8 a.m.

The University Orchestra, Truman State University’s top instrumental ensemble, and Cantoria, Truman’s mixed audition choir, will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Magnificat” and John Rutter’s “Requiem.” Both are choral-orchestral pieces. The ensembles will be accepting donations and suggest a $3 donation for students and youth and a $5 donation for general admission.

Correction: In last week’s issue of The Index, the front-page story, titled “Thomas announces student technology fee changes,” reported inaccurately that the $4 per credit hour technology fee next semester will replace the current $17 per semester technology fee. The new per credit hour fee will be in addition to the existing fee. The per semester fee will continue to be used for Pickler Memorial Library and for increasing campus internet bandwidth. The new fee will be used to update technology infrastructure in classrooms. The new fee will not apply to field experiences, internships, study abroad courses, independent study courses, online courses or studio courses. An updated version of the story is available at tmn.truman.edu.

Daymond John The Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series presents

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 • 7:30 P.M.

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Today, the streetwear market that FUBU pioneered is a $20 billion industry. John is a two-time New York Times best-selling author. Earlier this year, he released his fourth book, Rise and Grind, which became an instant New York Times bestseller.

The Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series is named in honor of Squire Paul and Meeda (Daniel) Holman by their children to honor their parents’ long association with Truman, and is funded through an endowment with the Truman State University Foundation.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

[Our View] New aquatic center example of public tax dollars

The Kirksville Aquatic Center, with its broken water slide, leaking pipes and rusting electrical boxes, will be getting an estimated multimillion-dollar upgrade thanks to voters passing a half-cent city sales tax last spring to go toward the Parks and Recreation Department.

One of the main critiques when sales taxes like the half-cent one are proposed is that taxpayers are wary of sales taxes because they are almost always inherently regressive.

This means they disportionately target people in lower-income brackets.

Other critiques of general taxes are that oftentimes community members feel like they never see actual results or reap tangible benefits from the money they are paying government institutions.

In the case of this particular sales tax, it is worth noting nearly 70 percent of Kirksville municipal election voters passed the half-cent tax last spring with a “yes” vote, according to tmn.truman.edu’s online election

coverage. We, The Index Editorial Board, think this might have been partly because, although a sales tax, it was one many citizens were willing to pay because it would result in improving to their community.

Additionally, because this sales tax is going toward public parks and recreational facilities, the tax is something that can benefit community members of all income brackets who can enjoy open activities and see physical evidence of an improvement in their environment.

An important event to point out is the upcoming municipal elections taking place on April 3. We, The Index Editorial Board, would like to encourage Kirksville citizens to inform themselves on the issues and vote because, as the new aquatic center project demonstrates, many of the issues that arise during elections can dictate how and where tax dollars are spent — something citizens should remain aware of.

this problem for us and personally get involved, including you the reader. Option two, as Gil Scott Heron says, “Puts you in the drivers’ seat.”

What does united direction action look like? It can be a mass letter writing campaign, or thousands of phone calls to our state representatives, or a demonstration on campus or in Jefferson City. It can be a petition with a specific list of demands. It can be a strike, where we don’t go to classes for one day, two days, or until our demands are met and our educational institution is respected. It can be all or some of these things together.

What is most important is that the direct action is generally agreed upon by the Truman community and has its support. This is why it is so important that you get involved, because without involvement your fellow members of the Truman community will not hear your perspective.

It is painful to write this, but I think it must be said — nearly all members of the Truman community have been unacceptably apathetic about our budget crisis. We have retreated into our homework, our offices, our parties, our individual social media accounts, our on-and off-campus jobs and our departments instead of leaving those places and coming together to talk about our common situation and plan action. We have accepted the narrative the ruling class wants us to believe — that’s just the way things are and there’s nothing to do about the state’s onslaught against our budget. I have heard this opinion from students, professors and even our University president. But this is not founded in reality and only serves the ideological interests of those who benefit from taking the money that belongs to Truman.

There are five reasons why I believe united direct action now can bring real change. One, the governor is currently facing felony charges and his administration is fragile. Two, the media has recently been giving coverage to united direct actions and to the education cuts. Three, Truman State is one of the most prestigious universities in Missouri and our alumni hold powerful positions in government, media, businesses, and so on. As evidenced by the flood of letters to the editor, they are paying attention to and care deeply about Truman, and many would likely support actions that would save it from financial decimation. Four, uniting with other Missouri universities is now a possibility and many are already taking action. Students for a Democratic Society has been in communication with students at Missouri State [University], Webster University and Mizzou [University of Missouri], who are forming a Student Power Network and Stop the Cuts Coalition. Five, even in just the past ten years, millions of students all over the world have engaged in united direct action and successfully had their demands met — including one 90 miles south of us.

United direct action starts with educating ourselves about the crisis and talking to our friends and colleagues about the situation, especially those who still believe there is nothing we can do. An open Facebook group has been created for organizing action, the “TSU Community Forum on the Budget Cuts.” Several organizations on campus are planning actions, so stay alert and attend as many of them as you can. As a united campus we can send a clear message and demand change from the State Legislature.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Only united, direct action can save Truman from budget cuts

Submitted by Will Chaney, senior economics major

Saying that our University is spiraling toward financial disaster is not an exaggeration or edgelord opinion. It is the reality we face.

As The Index has reported, sometime this summer the State Legislature plans to pass a budget that will continue its long-term defunding of higher education, decreasing our state funding by 7.7 percent or about $3.5 million. This would mean our state funding will be 40 percent less than it was in 2001, according to the TSU Operating Budgets for FY 2018, the BLS consumer price index and the governor’s 2018 budget proposal.

The consequences of these cuts have been well documented and I don’t have space to get into them here, but they affect every single department, program and individual on campus, including you, the reader, who is currently consuming one such program.

Even after graduation, Truman’s reputation and whatever becomes of it will remain on all graduates’ resumes for the rest of their lives.

The old tactics are not working.

The State Legislature is very aware of what they are doing to us and have refused to treat us as rational equals at a level bargaining table.

We’ve sent delegations of students, administrators and faculty to Jefferson City to communicate the destruction these cuts entail, and even if they actually listened, other priorities are winning their votes.

One of these priorities is giving corporations tax cuts — between 2015 and 2016, the Legislature created loopholes and law changes that decreased Missouri’s state revenue by $150 million, according to NPR on April 25, 2017.

This leaves us with two very difficult options. Option one is to trudge on with the old tactics and suffer more cuts while looking for ways to “weather the storm.” University President Thomas suggested many of option one’s ideas at her February 13 address — hiring consultants to improve our marketing and attract more students, hiring consultants to help us more efficiently cut our scholarship budget, eliminating faculty and staff positions, begging alumni and others for money, more online classes, and raising tuition and fees in the name of “flexibility.”

Others have suggested making “better cuts” to preserve the best parts of Truman, such as the many concerned readers who recently submitted letters to the editor defending The Index.

The problem with option one is that it does not address the root of the problem — the State Legislature has made cuts necessary across the entire University. Option one encourages us to turn our guns on each other. What is more important — printing the Index, the library’s ability to acquire new books, replacing broken computers, giving raises that keep up with inflation or funding mental health services? This question does not have a non-self destructive answer, and we must refuse to ask it.

There is also option two, which is to unite as the Truman community and demand from the State Legislature the resources we need to sustain an outstanding public liberal arts college.

Option two is engaging in united direct action — “united” in the sense that it must come from students, faculty, staff and administration, and “direct” in the sense that we move from thinking and talking to doing. Option two means we stop expecting other people to fix

EDITORIAL POLICY: The Index is published Thursdays during the academic year by students at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501. The production offices are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. The Index is a designated public forum, and content of The Index is the responsibility of The Index staff. The editor-in-chief consults with the staff and adviser but ultimately is responsible for all decisions.

Opinions of The Index columnists are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the staff or the newspaper. Our View editorials represent the view of the Editorial Board through a two-thirds majority vote. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor, section editors, copy chief and assistant copy chief. The Index reserves the right to edit submitted material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor-in-chief deems appropriate. Submitted material includes advertisements and letters to the editor.

LETTER POLICY: The Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University and Kirksville community. Letters to the editor are due by noon the Sunday before publication and become property of The Index upon submission. Once submitted, the letter is subject to editing for grammar and spelling errors.

Submissions must contain a well-developed theme and cannot exceed 500 words except at the discretion of the opinions editor and/or editor-in-chief. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters containing personal attacks, libelous attacks or inaccurate information will not be published. All letters to the editor must be typed and submitted by email to index.opinionseditor@gmail.com or online at tmn.truman.edu.

Include the words “letter to the editor” in the subject line of the email. Letters which are not submitted digitally will not be taken in consideration.

Contact Submit corrections or contact the editor.

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PHOTOGRAPHY | Art department to add concentration in fall 2018 Continued from page 1

Fine said there was no resistance from Truman’s administration, and once a plan for adding the concentration was submitted to the dean’s office, it was approved within two months. He said the process mostly consisted of reactivating old classes, which made the process run more smoothly. He said there was no need to add to the department’s facilities or faculty to create the photography concentration and said it could increase the number of art majors in the department.

Art professor Priya Kambli said she will be teaching all courses in the photography concentration, and all the instructors in the department will teach the foundational courses of the major. She said students in the concentration would study the history of photography and different photography methods and processes. Kambli said the coursework would include digital and analog photography. She said photography is applicable across many fields and students from different disciplines have used photography skills in their professional lives.

“Instagram is huge, everybody’s using photo,” Kambli said. “Photo is a great way of documenting things.

Any instances and spaces that need some kind of documentation, we apply for that.”

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Percussion ensemble performance kicks off busy month for music

AQUATIC CENTER | City hopes to begin project later this year Continued from page 1

“The team of consultants we hire will help with that process as well,” Sadler said. “Maybe there’s something we haven’t thought of yet.”

Sadler said the teams are looking to begin community engagement this summer. He said City Council will direct community meetings to determine the direction of the project.

“We’re really promoting community engagement,” Sadler said. “We’re bringing the community members and stakeholders together and having small group meetings and large group meetings to figure out what people want. Then [the consultants] will compile some construction documents, actual physical plans of what the pool is going to look like from an engineering standpoint, and we will bid out to whatever company decides to … do the construction.”

Sadler said funding for the project is coming from the half-cent sales tax Kirksville approved last year.

He said the tax is levied on all purchases in the city and runs through 2032.

“The voters voted it to be a 15-year-long thing — that way, we have to go back at 2032 and say these are the things we did correctly,” Sadler said. “We would like to come back and renew that tax again to continue to offer more great services.”

Robin Harden, Parks and Recreation assistant director and Aquatic Center manager, said she participated in the community partner meetings prior to passing the sales tax in April.

Harden said she thinks Kirksville residents’ access to aquatic facilities is important.

“Although what we have had has been great, it’s time to do something that’s going to be not only new and exciting but also easier to operate, that is not just patched together and trying to make it work,” Harden said. “Our community deserves more, and it’s exciting to know that that is on the horizon for us.”

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Photos by Daniel Degenhardt/TMN

Top: Truman State University’s Concert Percussion Ensemble II performs at its Spring Concert. The Department of Music hosted the concert Monday, March 26, in Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Left: Members of the ensemble play snare drums and timpani during the performance.

Graduate students Richard Crowder and Jonathan Davidson directed the ensemble.

Bottom: The performance was the ensemble’s final concert of the semester. From this week until the end of the semester, the Department of Music will host a recital or concert almost every day.

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7

PIT-ching a new idea

Library pit to be transformed into creative, new space

BY TRAVIS MAIDEN Staff Writer Truman State University students call it “the pit.” It’s the chasm next to Pickler Memorial Library. For a while now, the pit has been little more than an awkward hole in the middle of campus. However, after holding a design contest, Student Government has decided to renovate it with a mosaic for students to enjoy.

Senior Lauren Hogan, Student Government member, said the advanced ceramics class run by professor Wynne Wilbur will install the winning mosaic design on one of the walls of the pit. She said the project will take at least a month to complete and the class will begin working on the project after Spring Break. She said Student Government is internally funding the project, so no additional costs will be needed from students.

Hogan said Student Government has been wanting to spruce up the pit for some time. She said there weren’t a lot of student art showcases on campus, so Student Government thought it would be a good opportunity to display more student projects. Hogan said it would be great to have new students seeing art projects around campus.

“We wanted to do something that would make it a space for students who want to go and hang out and maybe do homework,” Hogan said. “Just like a fun place on campus, kind of like The Quad but more unique in some ways.

And putting art down there is kind of a way to brighten the space and bring some color to campus.”

Hogan said the project started last year when the pit was open for students to venture into. She said it was closed because of drainage issues, lack of space, and not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hogan said Student Government had several ideas for the pit.

“We originally wanted to paint the pit,” Hogan said. “The administration was kind of wary of that because of keeping it up and the paint peeling, which is understandable, so we kind of started looking for alternative things that we could do, and so we thought of talking to visual arts classes about putting one of their sculptures down there that they do every semester. That’s kind of how we got into wanting to do something down there.”

After being part of Truman’s community for nearly 13 years and running the Special Collections department in the library since 2011, Amanda Langendoerfer is looking forward to seeing more creative and aesthetically pleasing spaces on campus.

Langendoerfer said the pit wasn’t very well documented, and the community could consider the history that surrounds it more important.

She said the pit was part of a renovation in the 90s, and the library elevator to the basement might have been intended as a service entrance where shipments could be delivered

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ISSUE 24

to the Technical Services basement are really the heart of this school,” something with that,” Fine said. “It’s of Pickler.

Langendoerfer said. “And that may partly the aesthetic and partly the am“So during the whole construction sound cliche-ish, but they are the biguity of the function of the space. process, you know they just end up ones who drive the creativity, they’re It’s where you walk by and you’re alwith this excavated area and, rather the ones that drive that scholarship, ways like, ‘What is that?’ So I like it than filling it back in, it allows life to they drive this passion and the fac- for both things it gives you. Maybe come into the departpeople will start to asment downstairs,” Lansume that the purpose gendoerfer said. “It has of that pit is to have windows, and it does a place for interestcreate this kind of intering and or beautiful esting space that we all things. I don’t know if wanted to do something they’re going to plan in for a very long time.” something beautiful Langendoerfer said and/or interesting, but the library came up either one would make with several ideas, like me happy.” creating a Celtic knots Fine said there garden or using it as an have been many stuarea to relax. She said dent-run art projects because it wasn’t ADA around campus. He accessible, the pit was said the campus could prevented from being always improve with used as a public space. more student art and Langendoerfer said -Amanda Langendoerfer, associate dean of said the grounds crew making the pit an area has done an excellent to observe and appreci- libraries for Special Collections and museums job making the camate art would be a great pus look wonderful. use for it because peoFine said the amount ple could also view of work put into camthe art from the railings above. ulty members are usually quite pas- pus maintenance shows the school’s Langendoerfer said she used to be sionate about what they’re teaching. pride. a member of the Kirksville Art Asso- I think that really translates over to “The serpents and the octopus and ciation and is currently a strong sup- the students.” all these things they’ve done — acorns porter of the arts for the Kirksville and Art Department Chair Aaron Fine several years back,” Fine said. “Those campus community. She said she is said the pit’s art project will be a things make people happy you know. excited for seeing what future art proj- wonderful addition to the campus’ People talk about them, they are sort ects students will take up on campus. aesthetic appeal. of just something that decorates the “I think students and the faculty “I think that’s a great idea to do campus and improves the spirit.”

students and the faculty are really “theI think heart of this school. And that may sound cliche-ish, but they are the ones who drive the creativity, they’re the ones that drive that scholarship, they drive this passion and the faculty members are usually quite passionate about what they’re teaching. I think that really translates over to the students.

”

Photos by Daniel Degenhardt/TMN

Students stand in the area overlooking the pit on the south side of Pickler Memorial Library. Now known as simply “the pit,” this space was where former academic building Laughlin Hall used to stand.

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The Index

8

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Students prepare innovative research for SRC

BY JUSTIN NEWTON Staff Writer “They’re not playing at being little scientists,” chemistry professor Tim Humphry asserted. “They’re actually being real scientists.”

The pride in Humphry’s voice was obvious as he spoke about the group of undergraduate researchers’ work, which he and chemistry professor Amy Fuller advise.

A rotating group of students has been working for the past five years on creating molecules called sulfate esters, naturally found in aerosol particles high in the atmosphere. Many of these students will be presenting at the Student Research Conference on April 5.

The ongoing project these undergraduates have been working on is in collaboration with professor Elizabeth Stone of the University of Iowa.

Fuller said the group works on creating synthetic duplicates of the sulfate ester molecules Stone is researching.

Fuller said Stone uses these molecules to calibrate her tools and confirm her findings. Humphry said the group also studies the stability of the molecules.

“That’s kind of the two halves of the research we do in the lab,” Humphry said. “Half the lab makes the molecules. The other half of the lab sees how stable they are.”

But the students don’t just function as a molecule factory, they also meet every week to hone their presentation skills.

On Monday, Magruder 1099 contained 15 or so students gathered to watch freshman Molly Vittengl present her work on the group’s ongoing project.

Fuller said it was the first time she had presented on the work she was doing. The group contains students of all years, including two seniors who will be doing 30-minute capstone presentations the week after the Student Research Conference.

Junior Andrea Hamilton was also at the meeting, and she will be presenting at the Student Research Conference on her experience at the Argonne National Laboratory in Lamont, Illinois.

“So there they have a thing, it’s called an advanced photon source,

Photo by Justin Newton/TMN Junior chemistry majors Andrea Hamilton and Patrick Sullivan wear lab attire while working with their molecules. Chemistry professor Tim Humphry said the SRC is important to the students and the University because students are partaking in research others haven’t done. and it’s a mile long, and it goes around this big building,” Hamilton said. “Basically we open up part of it, and we’re shooting X-rays at this tiny, tiny part of crystal that we have. And then we’re trying to get a structure,

work last year because she was working with a partner.

“It was still a really good opportunity because you get to learn how to speak in a chemistry setting in front of more than [the] 15 people that we have here, and in front of people that’ll ask you questions that maybe you haven’t thought of before, ‘cause it’s a different perspective from other faculty and other people who decide to watch,” Hamilton said.

The rapport between the students and their advisers was evident at the meeting, each joking with the other. Fuller spoke about how the group generally conducts its research, emphasizing that the students were proficient enough in the lab to do most of the work on their own, but Hamilton said Fuller and Humphrey are always available to help.

Hamilton said the process of preparing the research for presentation is a satisfying process that she sees preparing her for graduate school.

“This is real, genuine, leading-edge, international research that these guys are doing. I mean, the molecule that [Hamilton] is making — if she makes it, she will be the first person in human history to see a pure sample of that thing. We don’t pretend to do cool chemistry here. These guys are actually doing chemistry that’s as important as any chemistry that’s done in any grad school anywhere.”

Chemistry professor Tim Humphry

so we’re trying to see what it looks like and bonds and bond angles and to see if we’ve made what we [think we] really made.”

Hamilton presented at the SRC last year about the group’s molecule synthesis work. She said it was less

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5. Stay healthy. It’s easy to let the overwhelmwater

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ing stress and the crazy weather take a toll on your health, but that’s the last thing anyone needs during the final stretch of the semester.

Make sure to drink a lot of water, eat well and get plenty of rest during the next few weeks.

to lose the motivation that empowered all your decisions earlier in the semester, but my best advice is to stay ahead of all the upcoming deadlines and work in advance if possible. You’ll thank me later.

4.

Hey prof

Fuller said the students are preparing their presentations throughout the year rather than trying to gather scattered data right before the SRC. Hamilton said she feels nervous about presenting research but is also well equipped to speak on the subject. Fuller also said she thinks the students are prepared.

“It’s just really fun to watch them go from, like, they’re freshmen and their first presentations, up to their senior year where they can just eloquently speak to any scientist anywhere,” Fuller said.

Humphry leaned forward in his chair and spoke with passion as he emphasized the ability of the student group.

“We’re making this molecule because other people can’t,” Humphry said. “Other chemists have tried and they haven’t been able to make it, and so we’re having the undergrads do it.”

Humphry started getting excited as he explained what this research means not only to him but also to the students.

“This is real, genuine, leadingedge, international research that these guys are doing,” Humphry continued to explain. “I mean, the molecule that [Hamilton] is making — if she makes it, she will be the first person in human history to see a pure sample of that thing. We don’t pretend to do cool chemistry here.

These guys are actually doing chemistry that’s as important as any chemistry that’s done in any grad school anywhere.”

Keep in touch with your professors. It can be easy to lose touch during the rush of meetings, projects, papers and social commitments, but keep your instructors in the loop. Not only will that eliminate any nasty grade surprises at the end of the year, but your professors will appreciate the effort.

3. Remind yourself how close summer is. The

spring semester can drag on relentlessly with almost no end in sight. Remind yourself there are only a few short weeks until the sweet freedom of summer arrives. Use a countdown clock as motivation to finish strong.

1.

study

Prioritize. The other tips are nothing if you’re not willing to take time for the things that are important to you. Organizing responsibilities keeps things in check while making sure you do not get burned out before the end.

The Index

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

“Unsane” is chilling, unsettling and experimental

9

This movie gets 3.5/5 iPhones

BY GORDON MCPHERSON Staff Writer Steven Soderbergh’s uncomfortable new film “Unsane” will leave audiences shaken, paranoid and deeply unsettled.

The film centers around Sawyer Valentini, played by Claire Foy, a young business woman who recently moved to Pennsylvania. For much of her adult life, Valentini has been tormented by a stalker, played by Joshua Leonard, who makes her paranoid and anxious everywhere she goes. She decides to sign up for a stalking victims support group at a local hospital. Without warning, Valentini becomes involuntarily admitted to the mental institution. Her situation is made even worse when she sees her stalker working at the institution. Viewers are left wondering if her stalker is actually there or if he is an imaginary representation of Valentini’s

mental turmoil and declining sanity.

While the concluding chapter of “Unsane” makes an unfortunate detour into horror movie cliches, Soderbergh has crafted a subversive, Hitchcockian thrill ride that will leave audiences glued to their seats through white-knuckle suspense and disturbing plot twists.

Much discussion surrounding the film has been based around Soderbergh’s decision to film the entirety of “Unsane” using an iPhone 7 Plus. While viewers might be skeptical, this directorial choice serves to amplify the film’s creepy atmosphere. Cinematic and technical excess is swapped in favor of claustrophobic close-ups of actor’s faces and a dreary, washed-out look which makes the film feel grounded in reality.

Valentini is a satisfyingly multi-layered character. While viewers feel the horror of her predicament and empathize with her troubled personal life, her impulsivity

often leads her into a worse position than she started in. Nearly every attempt she makes to prove her sanity, often through violent outbursts, is perceived as insanity by the nurses and administration officials, who might or might not have dark agendas of their own.

Her situation, and the film itself, is always chilling. The plot takes numerous shocking, disturbing turns, never giving viewers enough time to catch their breath.

Foy gives an emotionally raw, committed performance as Valentini, demonstrating her character’s anxiety, vulnerability and diligence with straight-faced authenticity. Her performance keeps viewers invested in the film, even near the conclusion when the plot eventually becomes difficult to take seriously.

Even so, Soderbergh attempts to infuse numerous themes into the film, including mental stability, obsession,

corruption in business and the concepts of truth and disbelief. While Soderbergh deserves to be commended for attempting to tackle so many themes in the film, many seem underdeveloped.

Certain ideas and potential themes established in the beginning of the film fail to develop into anything meaningful by the end, ultimately causing them to feel rushed and somewhat unnecessary.

Without spoiling anything, the film’s surprisingly conventional plot twist in the last third betrays some of the mystery and psychological intrigue set up earlier, repeating cliches that have already been done to death in other films.

For fans of psychological horror or anyone who’s intrigued by experimental cinema, “Unsane” is definitely recommended, though it is not without notable problems.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

This week, the Student Activities Board announced the much-anticipated lineup for the Big Concert. In recognition of the upcoming event, The Index features section took a look at past events SAB brought to Truman State University.

One unusual event featured a performance by The Regurgitator. A story ran in a Nov. 14, 1996, edition of The Index which depicts Stevie Starr, a performance artist from Glasgow, Scotland, regurgitating dry sugar before an audience of 448 members. Starr used his stomach muscles to swallow, twist and regurgitate items such as light bulbs, lighters, live goldfish, coins and even a billiard ball. Starr was able to regurgitate the goldfish alive and the sugar dry. The article mentioned Starr swallowed a can of butane, half a bottle of dish soap and then smoked a cigarette before regurgitating only a small bubble. The event culminated with Starr inviting a small group of students to Country Kitchen, where he performed card tricks and regurgitated eggs and sugar in the restaurant.

Starr got his start in a Glasgow orphanage swallowing coins at the age of 4 to keep other orphans from stealing them from him. “[How] do you explain what you do for a living,” Starr said in the article. “Don’t do what I’m doing. It is very dangerous.”

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Performance artist Stevie Starr swallows sugar and then regurgitates it while it is still dry.

SAB brought Starr to Truman from Galsgow, Scotland.

The Index

10

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Questions on The Quad What are some ways you would like to improve upon your mental or physical health?

What is a subject you would like to learn more about during your time at Truman?

Which do you prefer, movies or TV shows, and why?

“Honestly, just adding exercise in general — I think that I need to do that. I was exercising so well last semester and then it kind of dwindled.”

“Proper and cheap, nutritional meals. I want a whole class dedicated to it.”

“I personally prefer movies because I can rewatch it later on and not have to figure out what episode I’m on. I’m a serial watcher, and if it’s a TV show, I won’t get anything else done.”

“I have a little tiny book … it’s called [‘Brave Enough’]. It’s by Cheryl Strayed. It has a whole bunch of positive quotes, and I read that before I go to bed every night.”

“I’ve always wanted to take a ceramics class, but I’ve never had the time or the prerequisites for it.”

“I prefer movies because you don’t have to wait 12 episodes to find out what happens. You just have to wait 2 hours to find out the ending.

I’m very impatient.”

“Probably starting a journal just to remind myself what I’m grateful for.

It’s kind of a mindful thing. I think probably a class that would teach me essential life skills, like how to do my taxes.”

“I think probably a class that would teach me essential life skills, like how to do my taxes.”

“I prefer TV shows because I can watch them as many times [as I want]. Not saying you can’t do that with movies as many times, but [TV shows are] usually shorter and easier to fit in more than one.”

“I think my goal would be to get at least eight hours of sleep every night and to take an hour a day away from school and everything and just do something that I enjoy. And I usually watch, like, one episode [on] Netflix, but sometimes that turns into, like, five.”

“I think I would like to know more about history just because in high school I learned a lot about history but I think there’s still a lot left to learn. And also maybe how people decide to do things in leadership positions.”

“I prefer TV shows because it’s not rushed. So I watch ‘Shameless,’ and I thought the first episode was a movie, and then all of a sudden it ended and there was so much more. It’s like you’re a part of the show, almost.”

Senior Breanne Dover

Junior Sara Stevens

Freshman Kelci Johnson

Senior Francisco Juarez

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Index

11

Golf adjusts for cold weather

Submitted Photos The women’s golf team dressed for the cold weather in Saint Joseph, Missouri, at its second spring tournament after playing in warm conditions in Litchfield Park, Arizona, the previous week. The Bulldogs finished seventh out of 14 teams, with senior Nicolle Barmettler being the team’s highest finisher.

BY KENNEDY MARTIN Staff Writer

The cold weather and persistent winds didn’t keep the Truman State University golf team from competing last week at Missouri Western State University’s Holiday Inn Express Classic. Finishing within the top half of the 14 teams at the tournament, the Bulldogs headed back to Kirksville with a seventh-place finish.

Head coach Clint Fitzpatrick was pleased with his team’s performance in the harsh weather conditions. Fitzpatrick said unpleasant weather does have the capability to negatively affect the players’ performances, but they shouldn’t use it as an excuse. He said they should use it as motivation to perform well and get better.

Senior Nicolle Barmettler did just that and finished in a fifth-place tie, only five strokes behind second place. With a 16-over-160 performance finishing with 80 scores both days, Barmettler excelled despite the cold and wind.

“When it’s that cold and windy, it’s hard to keep your hands warm to grip the club, and the ball doesn’t fly as far in cold temperatures,” Barmettler said. “So we had to club up on a lot of shots.”

Barmettler said though it’s tough to stay mentally focused for five hours in those conditions, she is extremely proud of the way the team dismissed the distracting weather and instead focused on one shot at a time.

As the team continues the spring season and weather improves, Fitz-

patrick said the Bulldogs should have a shot at making a historic Truman season. The golf team finished fifth in conference at the end of the 201617 season. During the past four years of Fitzpatrick’s leadership, the ’Dogs have improved their final standing each year. Fitzpatrick attributes this to the strength in numbers of the upperclassmen and the leadership they display for the team.

“The seniors … they set the tone,” Fitzpatrick said. “The seniors and juniors know how to work hard, rain or shine. And they get along well together. They always root for each other.”

Fitzpatrick said this can sometimes be hard to find on a golf team.

Golf is based on individual performance and typically the glory would go to one person. At the collegiate level, however, they are still competing in tournaments as teammates.

“You know [in golf] you’re playing for yourself, but you’re still on a team,” Fitzpatrick said. “This team … they truly play for each other.”

Senior Amanda Ressel said the team members show their commitment by the high level of dedication each one of them has to the team.

She said it is this level of dedication and commitment that will lead to success for the Bulldogs for the rest of the season.

Ressel said the team’s goal for the season is for the players to perform the best they can at the conference tournament so they can qualify for regionals.

“I think we could definitely end this season in the same position or

better [than last year’s] because the team is playing really solid golf right now,” Ressel said.

The Bulldogs seek to continue this level of play as they compete in

their third tournament of the spring season April 8-9 in the University of Missouri-St. Louis Spring Invitational at Whitmoor Country Club in Weldon Spring, Missouri.

Junior Montana George follows through on a shot. Besides wearing more layers, the Bulldogs had to use stronger clubs to break through the cold air.

Track prepares for outdoor season

BY ASHLEY MURPHY Staff Writer The phrase “the best is yet to come” might just be the perfect way to sum up the upcoming spring season for Truman State University’s track and field team.

Despite the cancellation of the team’s first outdoor meet of the season on March 24, head coach Tim Schwegler said the team is eager to get started on potentially some of its best performances so far this year.

Schwegler said although the meet was canceled last weekend, the team has found a replacement meet on Thursday and Friday to hopefully get some season benchmarks in.

Schwegler said the team usually performs better in the outdoor season than indoor because of how the athletes approach it. He said there are some key competitors to keep an eye on this spring.

“I think we have a good chance of moving up on the team standings in outdoor,” Schwegler said. “Javelin and discus is a good event for us, and we expect to benefit from that. Also, on the men’s side, [senior] Brice Pavey is back, and he has been successful at scoring points in the GLVC meets.”

On the men’s side, Schwegler said Pavey is expected to perform well in the men’s 800-meter run and the 1500. For the sprinters, he said junior Eddie Barrett will be a factor in the 200 and the 400 along with junior Elijah Farrales in the 400, who is healthy again after being injured this winter. Schwegler said senior thrower Sam Stewart had a good indoor season and is expected to carry his momentum to outdoor, and freshman thrower Bobby Campbell could be influential in the discus and javelin.

For the women, Schwegler said freshmen Kelly Doerr, Emma Harrelson and Gemma Saathoff should all have good seasons in the distance events, along with junior Marissa Gress in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. He said junior thrower Cassidy Smestad should also have a good outdoor showing, coming off of an impressive indoor season.

In addition to the aforementioned athletes, Schwegler said the women’s pole vaulters have an opportunity to collect several points for the women’s team in the conference standings. All three of the women’s pole vaulters, including sophomore Hannah Sells and freshmen Cassie Jennings and Katie Reeves, set personal records and improved during the indoor season. Sells said these accomplishments transfer into high expectations for the end of this year’s outside competition.

“Everyone is excited for outdoor,” Sells said. “I think we’re all looking forward to the warmer meets. Also, there are some different events outdoor that I’m excited to see.”

Sells said the team’s performance is a little more variable during the outdoor season because of weather. When the weather is nice, it is easier to warm up and stay warm, which Sells said contributes to a better overall performance.

Sells said the team goals for the spring are to train hard and improve individually and as a team so the athletes can give their best performance at conference.

“My personal goals are to be consistent with 11 feet and improve from there,” Sells said. “I would love to jump 11-foot-6 this year.”

Sells’ personal best came with a first-place finish at the Missouri Collegiate Challenge, where she jumped 11 feet 2.25 inches. She reached that personal record again at the GLVC 2018 Indoor Championships on Feb. 25, where she took home the second place medal.

Jennings, who also had a standout indoor season as a freshman, said she is looking to improve personally to help her team.

“Everyone wants to just keep working hard and try to improve their PRs,” Jennings said. “My personal goal for the outdoor season is to place higher in conference and score more points for my team.”

Jennings’ also jumped her personal best at the GLVC Indoor Championships this year, where she took seventh place with a record of 10 feet 8.25 inches. The rookie has had two first-place finishes this year when she jumped 10 feet 2 inches at the Snow Bird Open on Jan. 20 and 10 feet 6 inches at the Dutch Holiday Preview on Dec. 9, 2017.

Jennings said the team will continue working on the little things to prepare for its first outdoor meet. She said, after some practice and motivation from teammates, the results should come in the meets.

Reeves will join Sells and Jennings in the Bulldogs’ attempt to dominate the women’s pole vault event during the team’s outdoor season.

Reeves’ personal best is 11 feet 1.75 inches, which she reached at the Dutch Athletics Classic on Jan. 27 and secured one of two first-place finishes during her rookie season. Her second first-place finish came at the Dutch Holiday Preview where she tied Jennings’ 10-feet-6-inches jump. At the conclusion of the GLVC Indoor Championships this spring, she took home fifth place with a mark of 10 feet 8.25 inches.

The men and women will open outdoor season tomorrow at the Washington University Distance Carnival.

The Index

12

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

BASEBALL | Bulldog baseball looks to find footing in GLVC after 1-3 start Continued from page 14 Kreh said he and many of the other players recognize that the team mentality will have to change moving forward.

“We struggled both in performance and energy, but in the last inning, the team rallied together,” Kreh said. “For the first time in a while, we played with the sense of urgency and enthusiasm that we need to win games. We need to carry that attitude into the next weekends to ensure success.”

The Bulldogs turned in a .194 team batting average on the weekend, but individual efforts were highlighted in three RBIs from Kreh and redshirt freshman infielder Jack Goodwin.

Kreh said he recognizes baseball is a game of failure and knows there will be hard days, but he said he fully expects the team to move on and get back to work this week. Kreh said he expects a team-wide focus on figuring out how to combat its current weaknesses and better prepare for the rest of conference play.

“For the first time in a while, we played with the sense of urgency and enthusiam that we need to win games.”

- Junior first baseman Charlie Kreh “Right now we are at a crucial point in the year, having already lost a conference series,” Kreh said.

“By now, everyone on the team has gotten experience, so we have no excuses. We need both young and experienced players to step up in all positions so we can align ourselves for postseason play.”

The Bulldogs recoup before another GLVC series this weekend against Drury University. The first pitch of the series is set for noon tomorrow at Bulldog Baseball Park.

Photo submitted by Truman Athletics Senior second baseman Brendan Trimble concentrates on fielding a ground ball. Trimble currently bats .280 for Truman State University and has had a hit in each of the Bulldogs’ last five contests.

TENNIS | Truman women capture momentum with win in GLVC opener

SOFTBALL | Bulldogs join Brown in celebrating coaching milestone

Continue from page 14 “I think we still have a lot of work to do if we want to be successful in conference play,” Turnage said. “Adjusting the lineup a little and working on our mental game should help us in the future.

We have been implementing a lot of yoga this year as it really helps us with our mental game.”

The women’s team kicked off conference play on a positive note with six wins. This included an 8-2 doubles win from pair senior Lindsey Schlichting and junior Maura Dunn. The other two doubles matches were close losses for the Bulldogs, ending 9-7 and 8-6.

The Bulldogs went on to win five of six singles matches. Dunn

Continue from page 14 “We had a huge picture ready and would take it on the road with us by hiding it on the back of the bus,” Fowle said. “I think it was cool how it worked out that she got the 300th win at home.”

Fowle said one of her favorite memories in her years with Brown was when both the coaches showed up late for practice, and they pulled up in vans honking at the girls and took them to a pumpkin patch where they participated in a corn maze competition. She said she has made special memories playing under Brown’s guidance these last four seasons and will cherish them forever.

Junior pitcher Lauren Dale said Brown is an extremely passionate

and Schlichting each earned multiple wins, while the other victories came from sophomore Kaylin Albin, freshman Alexandra Rogers and junior Finessa Rassel.

“We were very happy with how everyone performed this weekend,” Dunn said. “Everyone came ready to play and gave it their all. We are excited for our next two in Kansas City this weekend and hoping to carry the momentum forward through practice this weekend as we prepare.”

The Bulldogs face Rockhurst University at 2 p.m. tomorrow, March 30, in Kansas City, Missouri. They will continue their conference stretch with William Jewell College at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31.

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coach who has put a lot of time and effort into making the program what it is, and it has shown. Dale’s favorite memory of her years here is the conference tournament last year when the Bulldogs competed in the GLVC Championship game.

“She believes in all of us so much that playing for her in big games makes you want to succeed even more,” Dale said.

Brown said they are very close to showing how good they can be but can’t seem to pull all the pieces together. Brown said the ’Dogs need to continue to work on defense when the opportunity is there, along with hitting more extra-base hits. The ’Dogs currently sit at 13-9 overall and 4-4 in conference play so far this season.

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The Index

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

’Dogs add outside hitter

BY JASE WILLHITE Staff Writer The returning squad of Truman State University’s volleyball team is now preparing for next fall. One veteran who will not be returning to the court is senior outside hitter Jasmine Brown, so the program has added recruit Morgan Smith to fill the void.

While Brown’s presence on the floor will be missed, head coach Ben Briney said the team is happy to have more returning players than new. Briney said the team will have a better opportunity to build team chemistry from last season and have better experience on the court with less turnover. Next year, the team will have 11 upperclassmen and three sophomores to support any new recruits.

“Everyone on the roster has playing experience, and that is going to translate into us being more comfortable in the big situations because we have been there before and know what to expect,” Briney said.

Because everyone on the roster has at least one season under their belts, Briney said they can help the recruit transition to the college level. With a veteran-loaded squad like Truman’s, he said Smith is going to get the hang of the ropes a lot quicker and mesh with the team better.

Smith helped St. Joseph’s Academy win a state title last fall. Smith was also a member of the Missouri High School Class 4 All-State team.

“We are looking forward to getting her on campus come August,” Briney said. “[Smith] has had some great training in both high school and with her club team, Rockwood Thunder, that will prepare her for the college level.”

Redshirt senior Holly Hildebrand was second on the team in blocks last season. The Bulldogs finished with a 17-15 record and were eliminated in the first round of the conference tournament.

Hildebrand said last season did not turn out the way the team members would have liked, but they found their groove toward the end of the season and started to make plays they were struggling with the beginning of the season. Hildeb-

13

March

30 Friday Track and Field

TBA in St. Louis, Mo. at Washington University Distance Carnival

Baseball

Noon in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Drury University — Doubleheader

Softball

Noon in St. Louis, Mo. vs. University of Missouri-St. Louis— Doubleheader

Tennis

2 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo. vs. Rockhurst University

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Saturday

Tennis

11 a.m. in Liberty, Mo. vs. William Jewell College

Baseball

Noon in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Drury University — Doubleheader

Softball

Photo by Kara Mackenzie/TMN Sophomore outside hitter Claire Viviano returns the ball. The Bulldogs recruited Morgan Smith to fill the void left by senior Jasmine Brown. rand said it is this mindset and style of play the team wants to carry into next season, so it will have to leave anything negative behind and take what is positives with them.

“At the end of last year, we really found our identity,” Hildebrand said.

“It was during those last few weeks that we decided we were a force to be reckoned with and that we won’t stop until everyone knows it.”

Hildebrand said the big focus this offseason is mental toughness. With so many returning players, she said the team will be able to build on this idea and help usher in the new recruit this fall. Hildebrand said she is looking forward to the new energy Smith will bring to the team.

The team will be holding scrimmages throughout the spring season, the first is April 6.

Noon in St. Louis, Mo. vs. Maryville University — Doubleheader

April

04 Wednesday Softball

Noon in Bolivar, Mo. vs. Southwest Baptist University — Doubleheader

Bulls rugby staying positive in spring

BY STEPHANIE HULETT Staff Writer

Submitted Photo Junior Connor Flairty corrals a University of Nebraska player. The Bulls have had to deal with a smaller roster and game cancellations this spring.

The Truman State University men’s club rugby team has tried to stay positive this spring semester after many complications, ranging from roster turnover to game cancellations.

After starting the fall with 23 players, the spring season began with only 17. Senior captain Torin Halbert said following the first game this semester, the team had three injuries — with two players unable to return this semester. Three players left the team or transferred.

The Bulls have had to adjust their schedule too. Their first game was supposed to happen March 10 against Oklahoma State University, but this match was rescheduled because Truman lacked a complete roster. On March 24, the Bulls were scheduled to play University of Central Missouri, but this game was canceled because UCM didn’t have enough players.

Instead of playing UCM, Truman played the Columbia Outlaws, a community men’s club open to experienced and inexperienced players in Columbia, Missouri. Junior Connor Flairty said it was a tough match the team lost, but the players learned a

tremendous amount to help prepare for the rest of the spring.

“Men’s clubs play with so much more intensity and experience [than university teams], so it really brought all the players back up to speed and readied them for the rest of the season,” Flairty said.

Halbert said a main focus for the team this spring is building a foundation of players. With the injuries and transfers, Halbert said the team is trying to recruit and build for the future so for the program can continue with ease.

Flairty said the team is still committed to playing, despite difficulty finding players.

“Spirit and morale never falters,” Halbert said. “We’re here for each other and the team as a whole, but we’re always looking for new players to join the club. Anyone that wants to try the sport out is more than welcome to come out and try.”

The Bulls will take on Iowa State University this weekend in Kirksville, Missouri. The team will then switch from 11-player rugby to sevens rugby April 7 for University of Northern Iowa’s Collegiate Cup. Its opponents will be University of Northern Iowa and Oklahoma State University as a rescheduled game.

ATHLETE o f

t h e

w e e k

Bulldogs’ senior pitcher Kent Frantz earned his 16th career win in the Bulldogs’ 2-0 victory Saturday against William Jewell College. Frantz’s win tied him with alumnus Alex Hoffman for most career wins in program history. Frantz lasted seven innings, allowing four hits and striking out six ba ers.

Kent Frantz

14

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

300 wins and counting

Bulldog tennis battles Quincy to open GLVC schedule

BY BROOKE BAILEY Staff Writer

During her playing days, Erin Brown transferred from Culver-Stockton to Truman State University in 1999.

Nineteen years later, head softball coach Erin Brown has led her team to win 300 games at Truman.

The accomplishment came from the first of two games against Lincoln University where the ’Dogs swept the Blue Tigers. The coach closest to Brown’s win record is Tarry Parrish’s 154 wins from 1983-1989.

Brown said she had no idea that she had hit, or was that close, to 300 wins.

She said she owes gratitude to her assistant coach Ali Brems, players and Cooper Weidenthaler, coordinator of media relations, for planning the celebration of the win. Brown was given a poster which had photographs of her with past players, reminding her of the memories they made together.

Brown said although it is very nice to be recognized, the credit should go to all of the assistant coaches and players she has worked with in her time at Truman.

“It’s their hard work and drive to be great that earned so many wins,” Brown said.

Looking back, Brown acknowledged she struggled her first three seasons and made a lot of coaching mistakes. The Bulldogs had a 50-84 record in those years, but looking back on that struggle, Brown said she gained a lot of experi-

BY PATRICK PARDO Staff Writer The Truman State University tennis teams opened their conference schedule Friday against Quincy University. The men lost 8-1, remaining winless for the season, while the women won 6-3, bringing their record to 2-5.

After the match was rescheduled due to inclement weather, the men’s team was forced to change their home match to an away contest at Quincy. Truman’s only win of the day came from a doubles match with pair senior Paul Province and freshman Arpit Sahoo.

This is the pair’s third win of the year.

Sophomore Nick Thiele fought and lost a tightly contested second set in his match, ultimately falling 7-5 to his Quincy competitor.

“I’m pretty happy with the way I played,” Thiele said. “It’s frustrating knowing I could have probably won, but I think it was just one of those days for everyone.”

Junior Griffin Turnage also lost a close first set 6-4 and dropped the next set 6-1, losing the match to Quincy opponent senior Michael Lesko.

Turnage said the team typically plays close matches against Quincy, but Truman was not able to rise to the Hawk’s level this time.

See TENNIS, page 12

Submitted Photo The Truman State University softball players pose around head coach Erin Brown following her 300th career win on March 21. Brown has coached at Truman for 11 years. ence to carry with her in her career.

In Brown’s last three seasons, the Bulldogs are 103-59, with her second 40-win season coming last year after a 6-8 start. They qualified for the NCAA tournament in all three seasons after their appearance in 2014. “[Coaching is] really so close to parenting where if you don’t care about making them better or don’t care that they improve, then they just wouldn’t say anything

about it,” Brown said. “If you want them to be better, then you need to tell them so they can get better and make the adjustment.”

Brown has also learned recruiting a player who fits the team culture is as important as looking for someone to fill a statistical need. She said the four-year commitment between a coach and a recruit is like marriage in that both sides need to feel comfortable with each other for multiple years.

Brown said she has many

wonderful memories of different teams and players, but the conference tournament last year is one of her favorites. She said it was nice to see everyone come together and witness some players having their best moments.

Senior infielder Jamie Fowle said the women were very excited to be a part of Truman history after completing the final out of game one against Lincoln for the 300th win for their coach.

See SOFTBALL, page 12

’Dogs battle from behind in GLVC opener

BY RACHEL STEINHOFF Sports Text Editor Survival mode — battling off injuries, initiating rookie players to the speed and skill of college ball and playing in the ominous conditions of 2018’s menacing spring weather, the Truman State University baseball team enters the middle of the season.

“I’m seeing guys that know we’re close but haven’t gotten the reward of all the wins,” head coach Dan Davis said.

“I feel like we really have the ability to go on a winning streak if we can turn the corner. We haven’t played great, and yet we’re still close. We have to sort of survive right now … figure out how to get over that hump to win the close ball games.”

This weekend, the Bulldogs welcomed the start of

2018 GLVC play with a trip to Liberty, Missouri, to take on the William Jewell College Cardinals. William Jewell was picked to finished fourth in the GLVC West this season and secured three of the series’ four games on its home field.

The theme of the weekend for the Bulldogs was digging out of a first-inning hole. Davis said the team didn’t play defense behind its pitchers, giving the Cardinals hitting opportunities. He said good hitting teams like William Jewell make teams pay for defensive mistakes. “[Our pitchers] have to be locked in when it’s their chance,” Davis said. “The first inning is usually one of the toughest innings because you’re guaranteed the best hitters at the top of the lineup … If you’re not locked in and competi-

Junior catcher Jon Lyons celebrates a home run with a high five to head coach Dan Davis earlier this year. Lyons started three of the Bulldogs four games this weekend.

VOLUME 109

ISSUE 24

tmn.truman.edu

Photos submitted by Truman Athletics Freshman infielder Ethan Kleinheider gets in position to field a ground ball in Truman’s victory against Saginaw Valley State University on Sunday, March 18. The ’Dogs are currently 7-17. tive from the first pitch, bad things happen.”

After winning back-toback games last Sunday, the Bulldogs found themselves in a tough spot in the opening match of the series, giving up five runs in the first inning. On the offensive side of the ball, runs were few and far between for the ‘Dogs, who scored three total runs to William Jewell’s final 11. Overall, Davis said he thought his team compounded errors and added to the fire of William Jewell’s offense.

Game two proved to be a different story for the Bulldogs. Senior starting pitcher Kent Frantz, former GLVC Freshman of the Year, said he had seen enough Cardinal scoring and put an end to it. In seven innings, the veteran gave up three hits and one walk. The 2-0 victory marked Frantz’s 16th career win — marking the record books as tied for career victories. With six strikeouts on the day, Frantz now holds the eighth-most strikeouts ever

by a Bulldog.

Davis said Frantz has struggled more since his stellar freshman campaign, but Davis said he likes what he has seen from Frantz this year, and gives him credit him for stepping up on the mound and stepping into a leadership position on and off the field.

pushback from Bulldogs. After dropping game three, the ’Dogs entered the final inning of the final game with an 11-4 deficit.

The ‘Dogs tied the game and struck first with one run in the top of the 13th, but William Jewell countered with two of its own for the walk-off win.

“We have to sort of survive right now... figure out how to get over that hump to win the close ball games.”

-Head coach Dan Davis “Especially the last two or three outings, he’s pitched extremely well and [has] been giving our team a chance to win,” Davis said.

“That’s awesome [for him] to see as a senior, and hopefully [Frantz] is becoming that leader on our staff.”

From there on out, the weekend went to the Cardinals with short bursts of

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Davis said the guys started hitting the ball with authority and showed resilience despite a dire-looking situation.

Junior first baseman Charlie Kreh said the team knew the weekend at William Jewell would be difficult. Kreh said the team feels like they were fully capable of winning more of the series.

See BASEBALL, page 12

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