In this Episode of Tea Time with Sue, University President Sue Thomas welcomed Tai Woods.

In this episode of Tea Time with Sue, President Sue Thomas welcomes Zac Burden, assistant director of Residence Life.

President Sue Thomas welcome Star Alexander for this episode of “Tea Time with Sue.”

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

President Sue Thomas welcomed Vanessa Alexander, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, for this episode of “Tea Time with Sue.” 

Earlier this year, Vanessa returned to Truman after working with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. She is a Truman graduate and previous employee of the Office of Admission.   

During their discussion, Vanessa credits encouragement from others for helping start her career in higher education, motivating her to move across the country and for inspiring her to return to Kirksville for her new position.   

Other topics during this episode include upcoming plans for the Center Diversity Inclusion, the benefits of aerial workouts and dabbling in poetry.   

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

President Sue Thomas welcomes student Jessie Coleman for this episode of “Tea Time with Sue.”  

Jessie is a senior history major and environmental studies minor from Shawnee, Kansas. She  works as an intern in Truman’s Sustainability Office. Jessie and Sue discuss some of the projects attributed to the sustainability fee, such as solar panels at the University Farm, as well as some of the outreach efforts conducted by the office, including Earth Week events, April 15-22. 

An active theatre student in high school, Jessie also shares about her experience with Truman’s TAG Improv group, which she credits with keeping her in touch with the performing arts. After graduation in May, Jessie will remain at Truman to participate in the Master of Arts in Education program. She hopes to eventually work at an outdoor education center.  

More information about sustainability efforts at Truman can be found at sustainability.truman.edu or by following @tru.sus on Instagram.

In this episode President Sue Thomas welcomed Jamie D’Agostino, professor of English.

Now in his 16th year at Truman, Jamie is known for his creative writing courses where some of his unique techniques for sparking creativity have even found their way into the JBA classes he teaches to middle school students in the summer. 

Jamie discusses how he likes to venture into nature to find inspiration for his own work, including a rural cemetery he visited once, but had trouble finding a second time. He recently published his second full-length collection of poetry, “The Goldfinch Caution Tapes,” which won the Anthony Hecht Prize. It is available from Amazon and Weywiser Press.

During the conversation, Jamie shares his love for his hometown team the  Chicago Bears, as well as how a few white lies and the illegal use of a radio station promotional van led to him being the first person in Chicago to drink Cherry Coke when the beverage was reintroduced in the 1980s.

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. New episodes will be announced in the Truman Today as they become available. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

President Sue Thomas welcomed Isiah Slater from the Truman esports team for a recent episode of Tea Time with Sue.  

A computer science and graphic design double major, Isiah was instrumental in establishing the University’s esports program, which began competition in the fall. In addition to being a member of the team, he also coaches the “Rocket League” squad that qualified for National Association of Collegiate Esports playoffs.  Isiah discussed how the pandemic led to an interest in livestreaming. On his Twitch channel, Awesopossum, he covers everything from video games, to art and 3D modeling. During the episode, Slater also mentioned his love of baking and his entry of Krabby Patties in his family’s annual contest. 

All full-time Truman students are eligible to try out for the esports team, which competes in “Rocket League,” “League of Legends” and “Super Smash Bros Ultimate.” More information about the team can be found by following @TrumanEsports on Instagram and Twitter. Livestreams of esports events are available at twitch.tv/trumanesports.  

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime. 

President Sue Thomas welcomed Laura Bates, executive director of the Student Union and Campus Recreation, for the first “Tea Time with Sue” of the new semester.  Now in her 16th year at Truman, Laura oversees the facilities, staff and students in both the Student Union Building and the Campus Recreation Center. This includes extensive involvement with major events such as Truman Week, Homecoming and organizational recruitment. During their conversation, Laura discussed the number of students who participate in Fraternity and Sorority Life and the impact those organizations have on local and national philanthropies. 

 Other topics of conversation included Laura's literary-inspired tattoos, her dogs Sophie and Jake, and her fondness for licorice-flavored jelly beans.

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is.  Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

University President Sue Thomas welcomed student Megan Nesbitt for a recent edition of “Tea Time with Sue.” 

 A communication major at Truman, Megan has gained practical experience in her field by running social media accounts for the Student Recreation Center and the Office of Admission. She also runs an Instagram account dedicated to her two cats. In her free time, Megan enjoys making pumpkin cake cookies and participating in service events through Alpha Phi Omega, an organization that also includes President Thomas as a member.  

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.

University President Sue Thomas welcomed student Krishna Chebolu for a recent episode.

Krishna is a junior mathematics major from Hyderabad, India. He works as a student advisor in Missouri Hall and is active in Missouri Hall Council and Namaste Nepal. During their conversation, Krishna discussed his experience studying at an isolated boarding school on the banks of the Ganges River with limited internet access, and how Truman’s inclusion in a college ranking led him to Kirksville.

Other topics of discussion include Krishna’s love of cycling, as well as his unique approach to time management, which he views as energy management.

Throughout the school year, President Thomas will welcome guests for one-on-one chats that shine a light on the people and things that make Truman the special place it is. New episodes will be announced in the Truman Today as they become available. Guests for “Tea Time with Sue” can be nominated at truman.edu/teatime.