Katie Adler, a senior at Truman, grabbed the opportunity to spend 25 days studying nursing in the Philippines this past summer. When she returned, you couldn't get the smile off of her face. "I'd go back in a heartbeat!" she says. "I'd wanted to go on this trip since my freshman year, but I had no idea how rewarding and eye-opening it would be."

The Working Environment
The clinical environment in which Katie worked was hospitable and friendly. "The staff members at our clinical facilities were very encouraging. Their end goals were to teach us and give us nursing experience," she says. But resources were not what she was accustomed to in the States. "There were so few resources in the Philippines, one would think the nursing care would be lacking. But it was quite the opposite. Nurses are the main part of healthcare."

Different Points of View
In the US, a slight tension exists between nurses and health care workers with higher medical degrees. According to Katie, this tension does not exist where she practiced. "Doctors look to nurses for information about patients, and it is understood that the nurses are the 'eyes'." Even though nurses in the US earn higher wages and have more benefits, nurses in the Philippines are given more credit and respect for their positions.

Coming Home
When asked what she valued most from her trip, Katie replied, "I was told to 'Just jump in there!'" She explained that the trip forced her to be more extroverted. "We were placed in so many new situations (including a different culture) and were expected not to hesitate and just dive in."

What was the result of this plunge? Katie says, "I came out grinning from ear to ear with brand new knowledge and excitement for my future profession."

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Trudy Cooper ('76), co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, learned early lessons in hospitality. "My parents were concessionaires at Thousand Hills State Park in Kirksville," says Cooper. "They ran a boat dock, a restaurant, and cabins—and created them from nothing."

Despite exposure to this industry, she never planned to work in the restaurant business. At Truman, she earned a bachelor's in education. She taught art for a few years before pursuing a different career. "Teaching was a huge learning experience," says Cooper.

After working banquets at Tamarron Ski Resort in Colorado, Cooper ended up at a Bennigan's restaurant in Florida. When the corporate office discovered she was an education major, they offered her a training position. Eventually, Cooper, along with friends she met at Bennigan's, left to become joint-venture partners with Chili's restaurants.

Creating the Outback
Outback Steakhouse was born when Cooper, Bob Basham, Chris Sullivan, and Tim Gannon came up with a concept that filled an empty niche in the marketplace. At the time, options for eating out were limited to either low-end or high-end experiences. "We wanted to create a restaurant that featured high-end food, a casual atmosphere, and a great value," says Cooper.

The first Outback Steakhouse was opened in 1988. Today, there are almost 800 Outback Steakhouse restaurants, including 200 international locations. Cooper serves as senior vice president of training and development for Outback's parent company, which is now known as OSI Restaurant Partners Inc.

Cooper credits her parents and Truman for her success. "I've learned that it's all about people—drawing the best people, treating them like partners, and letting them run the businesses," says Cooper. "I don't try to force my way. This allows people to show their strengths."

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Get ready for the Sugar Plum Fairy! On December 4, 2007, Truman's Baldwin Auditorium will open its doors and the Minnesota Ballet will perform Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. This small but amazing company out of Duluth will perform alongside 46 locals, including many of Truman's own ballet dancers.

Dancing En Pointe
Bringing a large scale ballet to the small community like Kirksville—and also allowing the community to be involved—is pretty much unheard of. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Truman students to dance with a professional company," says Dr. Patricia Burton, professor of philosophy and ballet instructor at Truman.

A Traditional Telling
Because the original Nutcracker is so long, few companies perform the ballet in its entirety. In fact, many performances use a more modern style of choreography that is simpler than the original dances. However, the Minnesota Ballet is embracing The Nutcracker's original form. "This is an amazing production," says Burton. "The way they have brought dance back to The Nutcracker is absolutely brilliant."

Prepare to be Impressed!
"I'm crazy pumped for The Nutcracker!" says Rebekah Burke, a Truman freshman and Spanish dancer in the second act. "I think it is great for Truman students to have an opportunity to see a more traditional dance performance. Students are so used to modern dance that they don't realize how neat it is to watch a professional dancer in a traditional ballet production."

The best part? Truman students don't just get to watch their friends dance in today's most popular ballet—they get to attend the The Nutcracker for free!

For ticket information, please contact the Public Relations Office at 660-785-4016.

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Not every Truman student walking across campus was born and raised in the United States. Students from across the globe have decided that Truman's quality education, tight community, and affordability make it worth the trip—and stay.

For Enato Esangbedo, a native of The Gambia, West Africa, Truman is a family affair. "My eldest sister came to Truman—she found it on the Internet. My mom traveled to Truman for her graduation, and really liked the school." He adds, "It's affordable and has a really good reputation. My youngest sister is now at Truman, too."

Enato, a sophomore biology major, didn't have a problem fitting in at Truman. He thinks that people are essentially the same around the world, with a few cultural differences. "For instance, most guys have the same interests—girls," says Enato.

After graduation, Enato wants to go on to medical school and be an opthamologist. After med school in the states, he'd like to move back to The Gambia, where there is a greater need for doctors.

Heidi Schulze, another international student, is a senior majoring in finance. A native of Germany, Heidi heard about Truman when she was a high school exchange student in St. Louis. She learned more about Truman back in Germany, where she attended an international high school and had a Truman grad as a college counselor.

When she was making her college decision, affordability was key. "I looked at a few schools in England, but Truman was less expensive—and had everything I was looking for."

Heidi has found community at Truman through the International Club. "I was secretary and vice president. I helped organize the International Dinner and was entertainment director." She also plays volleyball intramurals.

After graduation, Heidi plans to move back to Munich and work in private equity.

Like Enato and Heidi, when you're a student at Truman, no matter your origin, you'll feel part of a family—and thrive!

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