Acknowledgement of Notable Leadership Accomplishments at Park University's Howell Awards Ceremony
The 23rd annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards were co-hosted by the Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association on April 18, 2018, at the Park University's Parkville Campus. These awards recognise students who distinguish themselves uniquely as leaders, regardless of position or title.
The ceremony honoured a diverse group of students, including Erik Bergrud, a 1994 graduate, who received the Tipton Award. Cynthia Otts, Ed.D., registrar from Shawnee, Kan., was awarded the Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Award.
Several student organisations were also recognised. The Residence Hall Council and Crimson Dancers received the Student Organizations of the Year Award, while the International Club was bestowed the New Student Organization of the Year Award. The Business and Investment Club received the Program of the Year Award.
Individual students were also celebrated through the Outstanding Class Member Awards, which honour one male and one female student from each class who best represent their class in service to, and participation in, Park University. This year's recipients included Victor Bervian Neves, Kenneth Courtney, Ikem Eriobuna, Paul Fueston, Emma Givens, Rinku Gopali, Weston Jacobs, Grace Komoe, Rafael Marin-Castaneda, Sara Marshall, Kayla Martinez, Erica Potter, Alexandria Richards, Chile Roldan, Oriana Tamburlini, Logan Trowbridge, and Shea Walker.
Awards were also presented to recognize student employees and graduate assistants. Ghislaine Fumey, a sophomore psychology major from East Moline, Ill., received the Student Employee of the Year Award. Annali (Dolman) Cleek, pursuing Master of Business Administration degree from Kansas City, Mo., received the Graduate Assistant of the Year Award.
Eric Haas and Zac Jarrard received the Toni Griggs Award, while Adam Stone, head groundskeeper from Kansas City, Mo., received the Student Success and Impact Award. Iroda Narzullaeva received the Park Servant Leader of the Year Award.
The C.W. Bailey Award was presented to Arthur D'Avila and Anna Hicks. Robin Burger and Jeff Ehrlich, Ed.D., received the Park Family Award. Debra McArthur, director of academic support services, received the Dusing-Proudfoot Award.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the Park Student Government Association / Cindy Anderson Senator of the Year Award, which was given to Blake Sellers, senior business administration/management major from Rayville, Mo.
Lastly, Chelsea Platt, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology from Kansas City, Mo., and Stacey Kikendall, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and associate director of the Faculty Center for Innovation from Kansas City, Mo., received the Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Award.
Dr. Doris A. Howell, a 1944 Park graduate and an internationally renowned leader in pediatrics and hospice care, is the namesake of the awards. Despite our inability to provide a detailed history or explain the broader significance of these awards at Park University without additional sources, it is clear that they are a significant celebration of student leadership achievements. For authoritative information, Park University's official site or alumni relations office would be the best resources.
The awards ceremony honored students for their exceptional contributions, with recognition given for individual achievements in education and self-development, such as the Outstanding Class Member Awards. Additionally, the ceremony showcased career development and skills training, as evidenced by the Student Employee of the Year Award and the Graduate Assistant of the Year Award.
