Park receives "green" grant for recycling program
The Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently awarded Park University a $30,330 grant to begin recycling at Park University's Parkville and Downtown Kansas City, Mo., campus centers. The grant proposal, "Park Goes Green -- Recycling at Park University," focuses on the University's need to begin a comprehensive recycling program.
The 2009 project will provide recycling bins for all buildings across both campuses to recycle paper, cardboard, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. With the support of students, faculty and staff, the recyclables will be collected by the Environmental Services team and placed in large receptacles for pickup and purchase by companies that provide recycling. Park University aims to divert hundreds of tons of recyclables from local landfills through the development and implementation of a sustainable campus-wide recycling program. In addition, a waste assessment will be the research project of a student in Park University's honors program. The project will begin in spring 2009 with a kickoff event.
The grant director and coordinator of the Downtown Kansas City Campus Center’s recycling efforts is Marion Wolpers, Hauptmann School for Public Affairs program manager and assistant to Kay Barnes, Park distinguished professor for public leadership. The coordinator of recycling on the Parkville Campus is Angie Peterson, assistant director of international education and study abroad. Contributors to the successful grant application process included Randy Bailey, director of environmental services; Donna Baker, director of budget and purchasing; Erik Bergrud, director of the International Center for Civic Engagement and special assistant to the president for University projects on civic engagement; Edmund Brackett, director of sponsored programs; and the President's Climate Commitment Commission.
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| Dr. Silvia Giovanardi Byer |
Byer presents research paper at modern language conference
Silvia Giovanardi Byer, Ph.D., assistant professor of modern languages, presented a research paper at the Southern Atlantic Modern Language Association Convention, Nov. 7-9 in Louisville, Ky. Byer's presentation, "Alfano's Celestial Wars and Warriors," reflected the16th century historical and political situation of the Mediterranean through the eyes of a Sicilian erudite living under the oppression of the Spanish Inquisition.
CETL trio present session at higher education conference
Amber Dailey-Hebert, Ph.D., director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and associate professor of education; Emily Donnelli, Ph.D., CETL assistant director and assistant professor of English; and B. Jean Mandernach, Ph.D., CETL research associate and associate professor of psychology, presented "Access to Success: A New Mentoring Model for Women in Academia" at the 33rd annual Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education Conference. The theme of the conference, held in Reno, Nev., Oct. 22-25, was "Weaving Patterns of Practice." More than 5,000 higher education professionals attending the conference dedicated to faculty professional development.
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| Dr. Munir Hassan |
Hassan presents papers, chairs sessions at various conferences
Munir Hassan, Ph.D., associate professor and program coordinator of finance, presented papers at two conferences in October. At the 31st Global Studies Conference in Omaha, Neb., Oct. 2-4, he presented "Stock Market Volatility Across Countries," and at the International Association of Business and Economics Conference, Oct. 19-22 in Las Vegas, Nev., he presented "The Dynamic Relationship Among MSCI, S&P 500 and Case Shiller Housing Price Index in the U.S.A." At the Financial Management Association International Annual Meeting, Oct. 8-11 in Grapevine, Texas, Hassan chaired three sessions on "Equity Volatility," "Financial Constraints" and "Mortgage Financing."
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| Dr. Roxanne Gonzales |
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| Dr. Marthann Schulte |
Gonzales, Schulte hold sessions at continuing higher ed conference
Roxanne M. Gonzales, Ed.D., associate dean of the College for Distance Learning, co-facilitated a workshop at the 70th annual Association for Continuing Higher Education International Conference in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 8-11. The workshop, "Access: Serving Those Who Serve," explored the challenges institutions face in providing postsecondary education access to military populations locally and globally. The workshop also provided information on the requirements and commitment needed to become a "military friendly" institution.
Marthann Schulte, Ph.D., assistant professor of education and coordinator of Online faculty evaluation, conducted a best practices roundtable session at the same conference. The roundtable, "Finding a 'Best Fit' for Online Instructor Evaluation," urged attendees to analyze and create their own Online instructor evaluation systems according to institutional need and best practices in Online learning. In addition, Schulte was appointed to the 2009 and 2010 National Conference Programming committees of ACHE.
"Casual December" declared for Park campuses nationwide
The month of December has been declared "Casual December" at Park University. Employees nationwide who wish to dress casual during the month of December will be able to do so if they wear Park University branded apparel or wear Park University colors -- canary and wine. Employees are encouraged to wear slacks or nice jeans with this apparel. As always, employees are asked to dress appropriately for the clientele that they are serving that day, so there may be times when employees can not dress casual. Show off your Park University spirit this month by wearing your Park apparel or colors!
Park Current Thanksgiving comments requested
Just a quick reminder to faculty and staff at all Park University campus centers to send us comments as to what you are thankful for during this holiday for the December issue of The Park Current. And if you have a photo to share with your comment, please send it as well, making sure to identify those in the photo, as well as include any additional information about the photo. E-mail your comments and photos to advancement@park.edu or fill out the news request form at www.park.edu/webguide/news.html. The deadline for submitting comments, as well as personal news, announcements and accomplishments for the December issue is 4 p.m. (Central time) on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Green tip of the week
You can chalk it up to homesickness if the tap water in your relatives' city doesn't taste as sweet as the water where you live, but don't fall prey to the bottle. In the U.S., city tap water must undergo more-strenuous testing than bottled water, so it's generally safe to drink local water. Refilling a reusable container at the faucet also reduces your carbon footprint. Did you know that the production and transportation of U.S. bottled water uses the equivalent of 50 million barrels of oil annually? For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Holiday safety tips
The National Safety Council offers holiday safety suggestions to help make your holiday season merry and safe. Visit www2.nsc.org/library/facts/holseasn.htm. Park University has been a member of the National Safety Council for four years. The NSC is a public service organization dedicated to educating and influencing people to prevent accidental injuries and deaths. For more information, visit www.nsc.org.
Upcoming Events
• Masoom Khawaja Photography Exhibit -- through January 9, Campanella Gallery
• Fall 2008 Semester ends -- December 12
• International Sash Ceremony -- December 12, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m., David Theatre
• December Commencement -- December 13, 11 a.m., Independence, Mo.
• Fall II ends -- December 14
• Northland Community Choir Holiday Concert -- December 14, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Tatiana Tessman Graduate Piano Recital -- December 19, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Kansas City Youth Symphony String Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra Concert -- December 20, 2 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Kansas City Youth Symphony Academy Orchestra and Symphonette Concert -- December 20, 5 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Christmas Eve/Christmas Day -- December 24-25 (Parkville offices closed)
• New Year's Day -- January 1 (Parkville offices closed)
• Residence Halls Open -- January 9, 8 a.m., Parkville Campus
• Spring 2009 Semester, Spring I Begins -- January 12
• Park Art and Design Faculty Art Exhibit -- January 12-30, Campanella Gallery
• Music for Two Pianos and Piano Duets, featuring Stanislav Ioudenitch, Tatiana Ioudenitch, Marina Sultanova and Lolita Lisovskaya -- January 18, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day -- January 19 (Parkville Daytime only; Spring I classes held)
• CETL New Faculty Mentoring Luncheon -- January 21, noon, McCoy Meetin' House
• ICM Faculty Schubert Recital -- January 25, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Martino Tirimo Piano Master Classes -- January 26-29, 2 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Grand Piano Festival Series with guest artist Martino Tirimo -- January 30, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
