PARK UNIVERSITY E-NEWS
News from April 2009
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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| Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts |
Park President Beverley Byers-Pevitts to retire in June
Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., Park University president and CEO, has stated her plans to retire in June after serving the University as its top administrator for the past eight years.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001274.shtml
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| Behzod Abduraimov |
Park ICM student Abduraimov wins prominent piano competition
Behzod Abduraimov, a sophomore pianist from Uzbekistan in Park University's International Center for Music, captured the top prize at the prestigious London International Piano Competition 2009 on April 29. He is the youngest first prize-winner in the history of the competition, which dates to 1991.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001268.shtml
In addition, Abduraimov won the gold medal at the Salina (Kan.) Symphony’s King Award for Young Artists Piano Competition, April 3-4.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001230.shtml
University receives $100,000 Success for Veterans Award Grant
The American Council on Education and the Wal-Mart Foundation announced that Park University will receive a $100,000 Success for Veterans Award Grant. Park is one of 20 higher learning institutions, and the only one in the Midwest, awarded a portion of a total of $2 million in grants, which recognize model programs advancing access and success in higher education for veterans and their families.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001263.shtml
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| Robert Marcusse, Kay Barnes, Peter Levi |
Park observes 134th anniversary at Founders Day celebration
Park University celebrated its 134th anniversary during its Founders Day event on April 20 at Kansas City's Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Park honored Kay Barnes, former mayor of Kansas City, Mo., and founding director of the University's Center For Leadership; Peter S. Levi, president, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; and Robert J. Marcusse, president, Kansas City Area Development Council.
www.park.edu/foundersday
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| Parkite Award winners Jessica Moody and Elvin Hatamzade |
Honors Convocation recognizes top students, scholarly endeavors
Park University's annual Honors Convocation on April 22 acknowledged the outstanding scholastic efforts of Park University students, faculty and staff during the 2008-09 school year. In addition to departmental academic honors, the University also honored a handful of exceptional students and faculty with a variety of special awards. Read about all of the award-winners, including the most prestigious honor bestowed on any student at Park University -- the Outstanding Parkite Award -- at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001265.shtml.
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| Dr. Thimios Zaharopoulos |
Zaharopoulos appointed to interim post
Thimios Zaharopoulos, Ph.D., dean of Park University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was appointed as the interim associate vice president for academic affairs. Zaharopoulos will retain his title of dean.
PSGA president speaks at Washington Higher Education Secretariat meeting
Javier Centonzio, president of the Park Student Government Association and senior political science major, spoke at the April 7 meeting of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001249.shtml
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| Danny O'Neill |
Board of Trustees member O'Neill slated to provide Commencement address
Danny O'Neill, a member of Park University's Board of Trustees and the "Bean Baron" of The Roasterie Inc., based in Kansas City, Mo., has been tabbed to provide the keynote address at Park's Kansas City Area May Commencement on May 9.
www.park.edu/grads/
Staff, student represent Park at Access Missouri hearings
Carla Boren, director of Park University's Office of Student Financial Services, along with Park Student Government Association President Javier Centonzio, senior political science major, attended hearings related to the Access Missouri program, April 7-8 in Jefferson City. Read about Boren's thoughts and Centonzio's experience in providing testimony at the hearings on Park's International Center for Civic Engagement blog.
Park students elect new student government leaders
The Park Student Government Association announced the winners of the election for officer and senate positions for the 2009-10 school year. These students officially took office April 22. Visit http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001258.shtml to view a list of the new officers and senators.
Awards banquet recognizes, honors leadership
The Park Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life co-hosted the 14th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards Banquet on April 15 on the Parkville Campus, celebrating the leadership achievements of Park students, faculty and staff during the academic year. The banquet featured the event's namesake as Howell, a 1944 Park graduate, was the keynote speaker. To view a list of all award-winners, visit http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001253.shtml.
Communication office wins marketing advertising awards
Park University's Office of Communication won three awards from Admissions Marketing Report, the national newspaper of admissions marketing. The Admissions Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. Competing in the "schools with more than 20,000 students" division, Park won the top award in the "Radio Advertising/Single Spot" category, a bronze award in the "Total Advertising Campaign" category and a merit award in the "Television Advertising/Series" category, all for the University's adult and continuing education campaigns. David Holt, director of marketing for academic programs, produced the spots in conjunction with BD&E, a strategic branding and communications company in Pittsburgh, Pa. Examples of the radio, television and print ads can be accessed at www.park.edu/one.
School for Education's ESOL certification program earns approval
Park University's School for Education received approval from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for its certification program in English for Speakers of Other Languages and will begin offering classes in the fall.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001229.shtml
Barnes appointed to HSPA post
Kay Barnes, founding director of Park University's Center for Leadership, where she is the distinguished professor of public leadership in the Hauptmann School for Public Affairs, has been appointed area coordinator for Park's Master of Public Affairs program's Nonprofit and Community Services Management concentration.
Science e-fellows program developed by School for Education
With a critical shortage of highly qualified science teachers across the nation, the Park University School for Education announced the development of its Science E-Fellows High Intensity Induction Program, designed specifically for first- and second-year science teachers.
www.park.edu/deptofenglish/sprint.pdf
Park students participate in National Model United Nations conference
Eleven Park University students in the University's Model United Nations club took part in the National Model United Nations conference, April 7-11 in New York. The Park MUN team represented Kenya at the conference and had the opportunity to meet Zachary Muburi-Muita, Kenya's ambassador to the U.N.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001270.shtml
University partners with Google for new suite of programs for students, faculty, alumni
Park University is partnering with Google Inc. to provide Online services to students, faculty and alumni through the Google Apps Education Edition. This free suite of hosted communication and collaborative applications has been designed by Google for schools and universities, and will improve academic connectivity through e-mail, messaging, shared documents and calendars.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001269.shtml
Park University Golf Scramble set for May 18
The Park University Golf Scramble, benefit for Park Athletics, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and The Park Fund, will be held on Monday, May 18. This four-person scramble event will be held at Tiffany Greens Golf Club, just a few miles south of Kansas City International Airport. The tournament begins with registration and lunch at noon, followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The awards presentation and a post-tournament dinner begin at 6 p.m. In addition, Kelly DeFeo, Park University women's golf head coach, will conduct a pre-tournament clinic at 11 a.m.
For more information, including sponsorship levels, or to register, visit www.park.edu/golf, or contact Wini Edwards, Office of University Advancement administrative assistant, at wini.edwards@park.edu or (816) 584-6200.
ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni Weekend '09 scheduled for June 25-28 on Parkville Campus
Save the date! Park University's Alumni Weekend '09 will be held Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, on the Parkville Campus. The event will include class reunions, golf, activities, picnics and more, and there will be special events for first-time visitors to the Parkville Campus. Details are posted at www.park.edu/alumni/awe09.asp. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumnioffice@park.edu.
Office of Alumni Relations hosting Montana dinosaur dig trip
Reserve your spot for Park University's Montana Dinosaur Dig, July 7-11, 2009, in the Hell Creek Formation of eastern Montana. The dig will be led by two Park faculty members: Scott Hageman, associate professor of geology, and Brian Hoffman, Ph.D., professor of biology and mathematics. Space is limited and the deadline to sign up has been extended to Monday, June 1. For more information on the trip, 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. For more information on the trip, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumnioffice@park.edu.
Alumni encouraged to participate in Alumni Association programs
Graduates of Park University are reminded that they automatically become members of the University'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 softball team advances to first-ever national tournament
The 2009 Park University softball team accomplished a feat that no other Park softball squad had done before -- advance to the NAIA National Tournament. The Pirates made school history on May 1 when they defeated Bellevue University, 7-6, in the championship game of the MCAC Tournament. The victory earned Park, led by head coach Amy Reif, a spot in the 32-team national tourney, May 14-20 in Decatur, Ala.
The squad will open the pool-play portion of the tournament on Thursday, May 14 against Friends University (Kan.). The Pirates will also have games against top-ranked California Baptist (Friday, May 15) and Hastings (Neb.) College (Saturday, May 16). Park must win its pool to advance to the eight-team double-elimination tournament, which begins on Monday, May 18.
www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_69.shtml
Park volleyball squad bows out NAIA national tournament
For the second year in a row, Park University hosted the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Invitational Tournament, April 16-18, at Breckon Sports Center. The Pirates were the defending national champions, but were ousted in this year's tourney after losing its two pool-play matches.
www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_53.shtml
Park student-athletes named to conference academic list
Park University was represented by 35 student-athletes on the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference’s 2008-09 Scholar-Athlete list.
www.parkathletics.com/news/park_002933.shtml
Baseball team set school record for wins
The Park University baseball team established a new school record for victories in a single season. Through April 25, the Pirates had a 32-10 record.
www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_44.shtml
Softball players earn all-conference honors
Highlighted by Justine Riner's Freshman of the Year award, Park University landed 10 players on the MCAC All-Conference Softball Team, including five first team selections.
www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002940.shtml
IN THE NEWS
• Thomas W. Peterman, Ph.D., vice president for distance learning, was interviewed for a KMBC-TV (Ch. 9 in Kansas City) story regarding Kansas City area colleges and universities offering accelerated courses Online. Read a text version of the story at www.kmbc.com/money/18950452/detail.html.
• Capt. William Miklo, a 2002 Park University management/computer information systems graduate, was recently named the Air Force's 2nd Weather Group Company Grade Officer of the Year for 2008. Read the story at www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513868.html.
• Robert Mayer, School of Business executive-in-residence, was featured in a Platte County (Mo.) Sun Gazette article on April 9. Read the article on the Sun Gazette's web site.
• Robert Blakey, a senior biology major, was interviewed for at a tax day "tea party" protest for WDAF-TV (FOX-4) in Kansas City. View a clip of the story and Blakey's comments on WDAF's web site.
• Heather Zeng, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and Online instructor evaluator, was quoted in the March issue of Career Development Quarterly, a journal of the National Career Development Association. As an experienced participant of the NCDA conference, Zeng provided comments in the "Words of Wisdom" section.
• Julie Amor, a student in Park's Master of Healthcare Leadership program, was recognized in the April issue of Ingram's, a Kansas City business magazine, as one of its "40 Under Forty." Read about Amor at www.ingramsonline.com.
• Freshman Justine Riner, a starting pitcher on the Park University softball team, was recently featured in an article that appeared in The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal.
• Soodie Beasley, adjunct instructor of art and an appraiser of art, was interviewed for a story that appeared in The Kansas City Star on April 26.
UPCOMING EVENTS
View a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, at www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
