Unveiling of New Weapons: Breakthrough Technologies Displayed at The Crow's Nest on May 3, 2024
Park University has been a hive of activity lately, with a variety of notable events taking place across its campuses. Here's a summary of some of the key happenings that have caught our attention.
Academic Achievements
The 29th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards recognised Park University students, faculty, and staff for their leadership achievements during the 2023-24 academic year. The recipients of the 2024 Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards at Park University remain undisclosed as of our last search.
Several students and faculty members have also been making waves in their respective fields. For instance, Alivia Zubrod, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, presented a session on "Unraveling Language Complexity: Past, Present and Future" at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference.
Meanwhile, John Cigas, Ph.D., and Wen Hsin, Ph.D. presented at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Central Plains Region. Hsin also published a paper on "The Effect of ChatGPT: Student Perspective and Performance Achievement" in the April edition of the Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges.
Athletic Accolades
The Park University athletic teams have been shining too. Joao Friedrich, a senior outside hitter on Park University's men's volleyball team, was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2024 NAIA All-America first team. Four Park-Gilbert Campus players earned first-team honours in the California Pacific Conference for baseball and softball.
Community Engagement
Park University faculty and staff have been actively engaging with the community. Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, appeared on KCTV in Kansas City for its election coverage and on KMBZ's "Dana and Parks" program for a live, 12-minute interview related to protests on college campuses across the country in recent weeks.
Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was interviewed for a question-and-answer article that appeared April 24 in Libertatea, a publication in Romania.
Celebrations and Ceremonies
The University has a series of events lined up for the coming weeks. The Memorial Day Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide) is scheduled for May 27. The Kansas City Area Commencement will include 687 Park University students eligible to participate, with 242 students receiving a master's degree and/or graduate certificate, and 445 students scheduled to receive a bachelor's degree, associate degree, and/or undergraduate certificate.
The Ellen Finley Earhart Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Graduation Final Walk, International Sash Ceremony, School of Education Cording Ceremony, and Kansas City Area Commencement Ceremony are scheduled for May 3, 4, and 5. The Junemester Classes End is scheduled for June 19.
New Initiatives
Park University is also embarking on new initiatives. The Gilbert Campus has announced it will start a competitive cheer program at the start of the 2024-25 academic year, and Bree Bint has been appointed as the program's head coach.
CiCi Rojas, co-founder of Tico Productions and Tico Sports, will present the keynote address during Park University's Kansas City Area Commencement on May 4. The Faculty Center for Innovation has announced its scholarship and teaching fellows for the 2024-25 academic year.
Appointments and Recognitions
Celeste Lupercio has been appointed as the director of corporate and foundation relations within the Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations at Park University. Stephanie Bowerson, '15, was honoured with an Excellence in Education Award from the Michigan Lottery and was highlighted in a story on the Michigan Lottery Connect website.
Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, served as a panelist at the Downtown Council (Kansas City, Mo.) annual luncheon about "The Evolution of Downtown." Brad Kleindl, Ph.D., professor of marketing, led an Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accreditation visit to Shanghai (China) Polytechnic University's School of Economics and Management.
Artistic Showcase
The Faculty Biennial Art Exhibit is on display through May 10. Photos from the Park University International Center for Music's Stanislav and Friends Benefactor Party appeared in The Independent, Kansas City's journal of society.
Michael Davidman, a graduate student pianist at the Park University International Center for Music, was featured on KWJC-FM (Classical KC) in Kansas City.
Other Events
The Malmstrom Air Force Base (Mont.) Campus Commencement, Board of Trustees Meeting, and Founders Day: Park University's 149th Anniversary are scheduled for May 16, 17, and 12, respectively. The Summer Session / Junemester Classes Begin is scheduled for June 3. The Juneteenth Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; all Summer Session and Junemester classes held as scheduled) is scheduled for June 19.
The Beaufort (S.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for June 21. The Cherry Point (N.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for June 7.
A story about Garret Ferrell, a senior at Benton High School in St. Joseph, Mo., signing a letter-of-intent to play baseball for Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus aired on KQTV in St. Joseph. Harris was interviewed about the stadium/tax extension vote by RTVI, a Russian-language television network based in New York City.
Erik Bergrud, chief strategic communications officer, handled color commentary for the Comets MASL Eastern Conference semifinal game on April 15. Susan Keim, Ph.D., associate professor of public administration, presented "Preparing Public Servants in Technology and Business Analytics" at the American Society for Public Administration's annual conference.
Nancy Almodovar, Ph.D., director of the Mountain Home (Idaho) Air Force Base Campus, presented a session on "Him We Proclaim" at the International Society of Christian Apologetics. The Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus women's beach volleyball team was featured on KMBC-TV in Kansas City in advance of the NAIA National Invitational Tournament.
- In addition to academic achievements and athletic accolades, Park University has also been involved in general news events, such as Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, being interviewed on KCTV in Kansas City for its election coverage.
- Besides education and self-development activities, Park University has also shown interest in sports, with Joao Friedrich, a senior outside hitter on Park University's men's volleyball team, being named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2024 NAIA All-America first team.
