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| Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts |
The Park University Board of Trustees during its May 8 board meeting unanimously voted to designate Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., as President Emerita of Park University. This action follows the retirement announcement that Byers-Pevitts would conclude her service after serving as the University's top administrator since 2001.
Byers-Pevitts participated in her final official academic event at the Kansas City Area May 9 Commencement where she awarded more than 500 diplomas to graduating students. The commencement speaker and Park University Board of Trustee member, Danny O'Neill, owner and president of The Roasterie Inc., shared with the graduates that he accepted the invitation to become a Park Board member after he met Byers-Pevitts because, "She gets it," he said. "She understands what it takes to be entrepreneurial."
Michael Droge, Ph.D., the University's provost and senior vice president, who came to Park University from Texas Woman's University in 2002, has been named acting president.
See below for the President Emerita resolution.
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President Emerita Resolution
Approved by the Park University Board of Trustees
On May 8, 2009
Whereas, Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D. has served Park University as its President and Chief Executive Officer with distinction from 2001 through her retirement in 2009;
Whereas, throughout her tenure as President, she has been a steadfast advocate for, and shown exceptional devotion and commitment to, the students of Park University, including the development of new graduate and undergraduate academic programs to meet their needs;
Whereas, Dr. Byers-Pevitts has fostered the recognition of Park University as an exceptional international university whose mission as an entrepreneurial institution of learning is to provide access to academic excellence and to prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively and engage in lifelong learning while serving a global community;
Whereas, she has advanced Park University as a renowned international leader in providing innovative educational opportunities for students within a global society;
Whereas, Dr. Byers-Pevitts has tirelessly worked to promote better educational benefits for and services to the men and women who serve in the armed forces of the United States of America and their families;
Whereas, she has encouraged the development of an expanded academic governance structure to better serve the needs of Park University;
Whereas, Dr. Byers-Pevitts has consistently championed the professional development of members of the Park University faculty and staff by increasing financial support for salaries and professional development;
Whereas, under her leadership, Park University has created three new International Centers, the International Center for Civic Engagement, the International Center for Music and the International Center for Leadership;
Whereas, during her tenure as President both the University's enrollment and its endowment have significantly increased;
Whereas, Dr. Byers-Pevitts has, since first arriving at Park University, been cognizant of the need for, and strongly committed to, long-range planning by the University, that has lead to the development of a new strategic plan, "Explorations and Transformations: 2012," a new Parkville Campus Master Plan, a Pandemic Influenza Response Plan, and the Institutional Action Plan required by the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of Park University acting this 8th day of May 2009, recognizes the service of Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts and designates her "President Emerita of Park University."
