As an art history major, Allison Meadows ('08) loves learning about the past. And this summer, she found a hands-on way to do just that—all the while investing in her future.

Allison's opportunity came in the form of an internship at Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. She worked on a project called "The Anchorage Loan," a museum dedicated to Arctic Studies and Native Alaskan communities that will open in Alaska in 2010.

One highlight of the internship was meeting and working with several well-known, highly regarded art and object conservators, including the Director of the George Gustav Heye Center in New York and Chief Smith of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. She also connected with many more artists, musicians, and political figures. Exploring the massive collection at NMAI and researching native communities were other highlights.

Reflecting on her experience, Allison realizes the value of her outside-the-classroom experience: "I went into this internship hoping to narrow my career options; however, I believe I have more choices now than ever before. I now know how to network and apply for jobs within government institutions, and I have a huge pool of contacts to glean advice and knowledge from."

She's grateful that Truman helped prepare her for this opportunity. "As a Truman student, you are always being pushed and encouraged to improve with each step. My classes are often very challenging, so I am used to a high standard of effort and product."

After graduation, Allison plans to go straight to grad school for a masters in museum studies. She hopes to then work for a museum. "I would love to one day come back and work for NMAI," she says—and leave her own mark on history.

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Cynthia Brinkley ('83) comes from rural, humble beginnings. But that hasn't stopped her from achieving success with the largest telecommunications provider in the country. As president of AT&T Missouri, Brinkley is responsible for AT&T's regulatory, legislative, governmental, and external affairs activities for Missouri.

Brinkley grew up on a farm near Milan, Missouri. Following high school, she attended the University of Missouri-Columbia before transferring to Truman. When she transferred, she transitioned from an average class size of 500 to 30. "I thought the quality of instruction at Truman was fantastic," says Brinkley. She graduated from Truman with a degree in political science.

According to Brinkley, her job's biggest challenge is keeping up with the dramatic changes in technology. She states, "In our business, we need to keep up with change. It takes effort to stay relevant."

Outside of work, Brinkley is highly involved in civic affairs. Her activities include the St. Louis Civic Progress, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Hawthorn Foundation. Her professional contributions have resulted in a number of awards; the St. Louis Business Journal named her one of the Most Influential Women in St. Louis in 2003.

Brinkley credits her parents and Truman mentors for her success. "People often ask me how someone from a small town in rural Missouri can be so successful in the corporate world," says Brinkley. "I was fortunate to work for a great company with many opportunities shortly after college. I owe my success to great role models and teachers."

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Six weeks into the school year, Truman hosts Family Day. This annual event allows parents to explore the campus and experience the environment in which their student is living. Heidi Templeton, director of public relations, says, "Parents enjoy seeing how their student has adjusted to college life. In most cases, they see they are happily adjusted." But just what is Family Day?

Family Fun
"Family Day is designed as a very informal set of events. Families can participate in all the activities available, or none of them," says Templeton. But informal doesn't mean boring. The Centennial Hall Senate is throwing a festival with free food, games, contests, and music. The Truman Bulldogs will face Pittsburg State on the football field. There will be a tailgate lunch in Red Barn Park, so bring a picnic blanket!

Get Info
Parents have the opportunity to attend seminars structured just for them. Examples of topics from years past are Common Problems of College Students; A Liberal Arts Education … Smooth Path to a Dream Career or Just a Rocky Road?; and, The Value of Out-of-Class Experiences. Also, Truman's very own Barbara Dixon will make her presidential address in Baldwin Auditorium.

Sign Up
Parents of Truman students will receive a brochure in late August with registration information and a full schedule of events. Early booking is recommended. So save the date—October 13, 2007!

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For Jaime Chambers, choosing a college was about searching for opportunity. So why, after being accepted into the highly acclaimed University of Chicago, did she turn it down? The answer is simple: Truman.

Opportunities to See the World
When Jaime looked at what Truman had to offer, she was impressed by the variety of study abroad programs. "I knew that if I went to Truman, I would get a quality education for a lower price," says Jaime. "As a result, I could afford to study abroad, maybe even multiple times."

The Possibility of Internships
Jaime, a potential political science major, has her sights set on the nation's capital. When looking at Truman, she learned they had an internship program to match her ambitions. She says, "The internship through the Washington Center in Washington D.C. is perfect for me!" Placement sites include non-profit groups, media organizations, Congress, museums, and much more.

The Springboard to Graduate Studies
Jaime plans to attend graduate school after she receives her bachelor's degree. She already knows that she can save money while at Truman. According to Jaime, "I'll graduate with less debt and be in a better financial position to attend graduate school. Plus, I know that my Truman education will prepare me for that experience."

The Deciding Factor
Safety and surroundings were important to Jaime when she turned down University of Chicago. A nature lover, Jaime was unenthusiastic about U of C's urban campus. But in the end, it was affordability that swayed Jaime. She realized that her aspirations hinge on that factor, and Truman was the clear winner.

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