UNIVERSITY NEWS
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| Fareed Zakaria |
Fareed Zakaria selected to speak at Park's Xerox Global Business Lecture Series in March
Fareed Zakaria, known as the host of the international affairs program, "Fareed Zakaria GPS," which airs Sundays worldwide on CNN, has agreed to speak as a part of Park University's Xerox Global Business Lecture Series on March 31, 2009. The event is scheduled to take place at Kansas City's Folly Theater, starting at 7 p.m. http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001049.shtml
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| Mary Jean Eisenhower |
Mary Jean Eisenhower to receive honorary degree from Park; will be commencement featured speaker
Mary Jean Eisenhower, president and chief executive officer of People to People International, and granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, will be bestowed with an honorary doctorate of humane letters by Park University during its December Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13. Eisenhower will also provide the keynote address at the commencement ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. at the Community of Christ Auditorium, 1001 W. Walnut, in Independence, Mo. For more information about Eisenhower, visit http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001055.shtml. For more information about the December Commencement, visit www.park.edu/grads.
Park selected as a top 20 military-friendly university
Park University has been selected as one of Military Advanced Education's "Top 20 Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities." The magazine cited Park's "innovative academic degree programs steeped in excellence." http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001089.shtml
Park athletic teams to rejoin American Midwest Conference
Park University President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., Director of AthleticsClaude English and the American Midwest Conference announced that Park's athletics programs will begin membership in the AMC in the fall semester of the 2009-10 academic year. Park will join Columbia College, Hannibal-LaGrange College, Harris-Stowe State University, McKendree University, Missouri Baptist University, Stephens College, William Woods University and Williams Baptist College in the AMC. www.parkathletics.com/news/park_002209.shtml
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| Michael Massman |
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| Taj Preciado |
Democracy Day essay contest winners announced
For the last five years, Park University has held a "Democracy Day" essay contest for high school seniors throughout the U.S. This year, for the first time in the event's history, the University offered a similar contest for Park undergraduates. This year's essays answered the question, "Should the Electoral College be abolished?"
In the Park University division, Airman 1st Class Taj Preciado, a sophomore majoring in computer science at Park's Tinker Air Force Base Campus Center, won a $2,000 Park University scholarship for his essay. In the high school division, the winner of a $2,000 Park scholarship (or a $1,000 scholarship to the college/university of his/her choice) was Michael Massman, of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo. Their essays can be ready at www.park.edu/democracyday/essaywinners.aspx.
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| Maria Rossi and William Venable |
Park grad assistant receives entrepreneurial achievement award
Maria Gabriela Rossi, '04, a graduate assistant in Park University's Office of International Programs and a student in the Master of Business Administration program, was recently awarded the inaugural Stanley H. Durwood Entrepreneurial Achievement Award from The Eighth Rung Foundation, Inc. William Venable, assistant professor of marketing and management, is the chairman of the board for the organization.
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| J.C. Stoner |
NASPA recognizes residence life director as a "rising star"
J.C. Stoner, director of residence life, was acknowledged as a "New Professional Rising Star" by the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators. Stoner was recognized for his "positive interactions with students and his ability to show compassion while still holding them accountable for their behavior." Nominators said that Stoner "respects students as individuals and helps them understand their responsibility to the community." Stoner received the award during the NASPA Region IV-West Conference in Tulsa, Okla., Nov. 5-7.
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| Alan Shi |
YCM student Alan Shi featured in National Public Radio concert
Alan Shi, a 14-year-old pianist from Lawrence, Kan., who studies under Marina Sultanova, adjunct instructor of piano, in Park University's Youth Conservatory for Music, was one of four featured performers in the National Public Radio program "From The Top," that aired on Nov. 9. The performance was taped at the University of Kansas' Lied Center on July 15. http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001051.shtml
Communication Arts Department sponsors veterans history project
There are no more important voices than our veterans. Yet, there are few outlets for those voices. That is why Park University's Communication Arts Department recently sponsored "Veterans' Voices," an oral history project designed to give veterans an opportunity to share their experiences Online and on the radio. http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001070.shtml
Park hosts Buechner, Hechler in Congress to Campus program
On Nov. 18, former U.S. Congressmen Jack Buechner and Ken Hechler spoke during a public lecture at the McCoy Meetin' House on the Parkville Campus as part of the Congress to Campus program. Buechner served the 2nd District of Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987-91 and Hechler served West Virginia as a member of the U.S. House from 1959-77. The program is designed to attract young people to public service leadership. http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001047.shtml
School of Business and Management presented entrepreneurship lectures
As a part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Park University's School of Business and Management presented its first Entrepreneurship Lecture Series in November. Three distinguished Kansas City area entrepreneurs, Mark Comfort, Charles Garney and Joe Roetheli shared their experiences on starting and managing a business. http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001036.shtml
ALUMNI NEWS
Great Wolf Lodge weekend set for alumni, family and friends
The Office of Alumni Relations will once again host a Park University Alumni, Family and Friends Weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, Kan., Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. The discounted Park alumni rate is just $149 per night, which includes a family suite with six water park passes. Call the Great Wolf Lodge at (800) 905-9653 for reservations, making sure to ask for the Park University rate. The deadline for this special rate is Jan. 5, 2009. For more information, visit www.parkalumni.org/greatwolf.
Alumni Weekend '09 dates set
Save the date! Park University's Alumni Weekend '09 will be held Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, 2009, on the Parkville Campus. The event will include class reunions, golf, picnics and more, and there will be special activities for first-time visitors to the Parkville Campus. More details will follow in January. For more information, including information on joining a reunion committee, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumnioffice@park.edu.
Alumni Association offering 2009 Mediterranean cruise
The Park University Alumni Association is hosting a "best of the Mediterranean and Greek Isles" luxury cruise Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. For more information about this two-week voyage, which is open to Park alumni, family and friends, visit www.parkalumni.org/cruise09.
Alumni encouraged to participate in Alumni Association programs
Graduates of Park University are reminded that they automatically become members of Park's Alumni Association. Members receive the Park University magazine, notification of events, including the annual Alumni Weekend and Harvest Fest, invitations to regional receptions/reunions, access to the Online Alumni Directory and representation on the Alumni Council. Alumni are encouraged to participate in the many programs and committees available to Alumni Association members.
To keep your membership in the Alumni Association active, you must keep your contact information up-to-date with the Office of Alumni Relations. For more information, visit www.parkalumni.org or e-mail alumnioffice@park.edu.
ATHLETICS
Park Named NAIA Champions of Character Institution
Park University was recently announced is one of 199 NAIA institutions named Champions of Character institutions. All 15 Pirate athletic programs participated in character initiatives, including work with Habitat for Humanity, the Parkville (Mo.) Animal Shelter, youth clinics, Special Olympics, DeSoto (Kan.) YouthFriends and several elementary schools throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. www.parkathletics.com/news/park_002276.shtml
Women's soccer team advances to NAIA national tourney; win in first round; fall in second round
It took two overtimes and a penalty kick session to settle it, but Park University's women's soccer team defeated Dordt College in the opening round of the NAIA national tournament on Nov. 22. Unfortunately, the Pirates lost in the second round to Lee (Tenn.), the eventual national champion. Park advanced to the national tourney by winning the MCAC championship over the Bellevue University. Nine Park players were named to various All-MCAC teams. www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_65.shtml
Men's soccer team loses heartbreaker in NAIA opening round
Park University's men's soccer team, one of five at-large teams selected to compete in the NAIA national tournament, lost to Baker University 1-0 in overtime in an opening round match, ending its season at 11-4-3. www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_47.shtml
Women's cross country team competes at national meet
The Park University women's cross country team closed out its season with a 25th-place finish at the NAIA National Championship. The squad advanced to the national meet by capturing the 2008 MCAC Championship, taking home its third straight title with a perfect score, as Park runners finished first through fifth. Park's men's cross country team was also crowned MCAC champions. Senior Melinda Jansen was selected as a 2008 Daktronics-NAIA Women's Cross Country Scholar Athlete. www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_56.shtml
Women's volleyball team places players on all-conference squad
Led by sophomore libero Carolina Faria, Park University's women's volleyball team placed five players on All-MCAC squads. www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_75.shtml
Basketball season under way for Park teams
Through the end of November, Park's men's basketball team had a 5-7 record while the women's squad was 1-9.
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www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_41.shtml
Softball team helps Kansas City area homeless
The 15-member Park women's softball team and head coach Amy Reif took part in the homeless outreach program "Uplift" by preparing a four-course meal to help 60 less fortunate Kansas City area citizens on Nov. 19. www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002279.shtml
Park pays tribute to Ed Nelson
Park University honored and paid tribute to its first-ever head men's basketball coach, Ed Nelson, on Nov. 15 with a reception at the Breckon Sports Center during the men's game against Southern Nazarene. Nelson, who passed away Feb. 16, coached the Park men in its first 16 seasons of existence, beginning in 1961.
IN THE NEWS
• Kathleen Vinlove, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, was interviewed and featured in a story that appeared on WDAF-TV (FOX-4) in Kansas City on Nov. 12. Vinlove provided comments on the possibility of the U.S. government providing a financial bailout to the auto industry, as well as the impact to the Kansas City area economy if General Motors and/or Ford were to cease producing automobiles at their area plants.
• Park University's Julian Field was one of 20 locations around the Kansas City area for the "One Homeless Night" event which raised awareness and showed support for area homeless youth. A story about the event, which highlighted Park's venue, appeared in the Platte County (Mo.) Sun Gazette and can be read at www.plattesungazette.com.
• Park University Board of Trustees member Peter deSilva, was highlighted in a Kansas City Star article on Nov. 21. deSilva is the co-chair of the United Way of Greater Kansas City which raised a record $40,529,036 during its fall fundraising campaign, topping its goal by just over $29,000. www.kansascity.com/637/story/900777.html
UPCOMING EVENTS
View a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, at www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
