PARK UNIVERSITY E-NEWS
News from May 2009
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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| Dr. Michael Droge |
Droge appointed Park University acting president
Michael Droge, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president, was appointed by the Park University Board of Trustees as the University's acting president. Droge's appointment was announced following the retirement of Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001286.shtml
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| Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts |
Byers-Pevitts granted "president emerita" status by Board of Trustees
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. The action followed the retirement announcement that Byers-Pevitts would conclude her service after serving as the University's top administrator since 2001.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001281.shtml
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| Dr. Laurie DiPadova-Stocks |
DiPadova-Stocks named Graduate School interim executive director
Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D., dean of the Hauptmann School for Public Affairs and professor of public administration, was appointed to serve as the interim executive director of Park University's Graduate School, effective July 1. She will retain her responsibilities and aforementioned titles. DiPadova-Stocks is replacing Larry Ewing, Ed.D., associate professor of education, who announced his retirement.
University ranked by magazine for awarding bachelor degrees to Hispanics
In the May 4 issue of The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine, Park University is again ranked among the top 100 colleges and universities in the country for bachelor degrees awarded to Hispanics. Park ranked 62nd nationally with 379, according to data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics for 2007.
Access Missouri program saved
Faculty, staff and students from Park University and other independent schools across Missouri together helped protect the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program. On May 16, the Missouri General Assembly adjourned with Senate Bill 390 dying in the Senate Education Committee, while House Bill 792 was never assigned to a committee. These proposed bills would have drastically changed Access Missouri to cap the amount awarded to eligible students attending four-year institutions at $2,850 per year.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001292.shtml
GoArmyEd program honored by Harvard's Ash Institute
The GoArmyEd innovation, which was developed to better serve the educational needs of soldiers worldwide, and a program that Park University is a partner, was honored for its success. The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government recently placed the GoArmyEd program among its top 50 government innovations. GoArmyEd will now compete for one of the Ash Institute's six Innovations in American Government awards.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001277.shtml
Office of Communication wins advertising award
Park University's Office of Communication won a gold award in the "Radio Advertising/Single Spot" category in the "schools with more than 20,000 students" division from Admissions Marketing Report, the national newspaper of admissions marketing, and its Admissions Advertising Awards -- the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country.
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| Dr. Jane Wood |
Wood earns "The Big Read" grant from NEA
Jane Wood, Ph.D., associate professor of English and department chair, learned that her application for a "The Big Read" grant from the National Endowment for the Arts has been funded. The $20,000 grant is the second Wood has received to conduct The Big Read program.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001291.shtml
Students earn awards at Scott Air Force Base
Two Park University students were selected for recognition at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where Park has a campus center. Kirsten Hudkins, a senior majoring in social psychology in the School for Online Learning, was selected as the 375th Airlift Wing Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for January through March. Ronnie Woods, a sophomore majoring in management/finance through Park's Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Campus Center, was selected as the 375th Airlift Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for the same period.
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| Tyler Stanley |
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| Alicia Wedel |
Biology students bring home first place award from Missouri science meeting
Students from Park University's Department of Natural and Physical Sciences won a first place award at the Missouri Academy of Science's annual meeting in Maryville. Tyler Stanley and Alicia Wedel, both seniors majoring in biology, took first place for their oral presentation, "Home Range and Nesting Locations of Raccoons Near Park University," which was co-authored by Jim Taulman, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001277.shtml
Psychology students collect school supplies for Afghan children
Members of Park University's Psychology Club and the Park chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology students, collected 200 pounds of school supplies from faculty, staff and fellow students on the Parkville Campus. The supplies were donated to children in Afghanistan who attend a school that was built with the assistance of a Park Online student who is a sergeant major in the U.S. Army's Special Forces Unit at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001291.shtml
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| Dr. Jeff Glauner |
Glauner has Park-centric philosophical book published
Jeff Glauner, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, recently had a book published that included many items that were inspired by the environment at Park University. The True Book of Sam Clear Water: Wisdom from Walden-San is a philosophical almanac comprising vignettes, poems, drama, fictional stories and dialogues. Read a description of the book at Amazon.com or CreateSpace.
Students represent Belize at model Organization of American States conference
Eight Park University students attended the Washington Model General Assembly of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., where they represented Belize. The conference is a simulation of the real OAS and participants act as delegates of the respective member countries.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001272.shtml
Students earn prominent summer internships
Sophomore Aiden Galarza and senior Loren Ray Laughlin, both biology majors in Park's Honors Program, received prestigious summer internship appointments. Galarza will intern with the Biomedical Research Apprenticeship Program at Washington University in St. Louis. Laughlin will work as an environmental protection aide in the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 7 office in Kansas City, Kan.
Breedlove wins scholarship from interior design organization
Jordan Breedlove, a senior majoring in interior design, was selected as the grand prize recipient of the 2009 International Interior Design Association Mid America Chapter Scholarship. Breedlove was honored with the $1,000 scholarship at the chapter's awards event in St. Louis.
University publications now available in "e-magazine" format
Park University has produced some University publications in an "e-magazine" format that is easier to navigate than the conventional PDF format. This new format will also save the University the cost to print these publications. The available publications are the Park University Viewbook, the Park University 2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog and the Spring 2009 issue of the Park University Magazine. Additional University publications will be made available in the e-magazine format in the future.
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.
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
Softball team advances to national tourney for first time in school history
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 (Neb.) University 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. Park's first trip to the national tournament was bittersweet as the Pirates lost their first two pool play games before earning a victory in their final game.
www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002949.shtml
www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002988.shtml
While in Alabama, the Park softball squad was one of four teams that participated in the NAIA's "Champions of Character" program. Park student-athletes spent the morning before the start of the tournament bowling with Special Olympians from a Decatur area organization as a part of the "Giving Back to Decatur" event.
www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002975.shtml
Park student-athletes earn national honors
Thirteen Park University student-athletes earned Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors during the spring season. Park had a total of 23 national scholar-athletes during the 2008-09 year, surpassing the 2007-08 season of 16 and 2006-07's 18. Here are Park's scholar-athlete selections for the spring:
• Baseball -- Senior Nick Kouratou, shortstop, and junior Jeff Hall, pitcher.
www.parkathletics.com/mbaseball/park_002998.shtml
• Softball -- Seniors Jamie Garman, pitcher, and Ashley Scates, shortstop.
www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002994.shtml
• Track and field -- Seniors Rachel Fessenden, Devin Haddix and Melinda Jansen, junior Luke Wolkers and sophomore Micah Conkling.
www.parkathletics.com/mtrack/park_002995.shtml
• Women's golf -- Juniors Nicole Ainsworth, Roxanne Chadwell and Nicole Wiehe, and sophomore Allison Vaughn.
www.parkathletics.com/wgolf/park_002996.shtml
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| Josh Hake |
Hake selected MCAC pitcher of the year for second time
Park University baseball pitcher Josh Hake was named 2009 MCAC Pitcher of the Year, the second year in a row Hake received the honor, headlining a list of 12 Pirate baseball players named to All-Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference squads. Besides Hake, catcher Adam Shupe, second baseman Pete Peters, outfielder Jesse Kearns and pitcher Matt Lackner were all named to the All-MCAC first team. In addition, shortstop Nick Kouratou was named to the conference's "Gold Glove" team.
www.parkathletics.com/mbaseball/park_002956.shtml
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| Cary Lundy |
Baseball coach Lundy wins 200th career game at Park
Park University baseball head coach Cary Lundy won his 200th game at the helm of the Pirates during the MCAC Tournament.
www.parkathletics.com/mbaseball/park_002961.shtml
Park runners compete at NAIA national meet
Park University's Romona Nicolls set a school record in the 800-meter run at the 2009 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Edwardsville, Ill. Despite the new record, Nicolls did not qualify for the finals. Sadiki James (100-meter dash) and Erycka Fisher (400-meter hurdles) also competed at the national meet.
www.parkathletics.com/mtrack/park_002993.shtml
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| Rick Mischka |
Mischka named men's, women's volleyball head coach
Rick Mischka was appointed the head coach for both the Park University men's volleyball and women's volleyball programs.
www.parkathletics.com/mvolleyball/park_002979.shtml
Park tops William Jewell for 2008-09 Townsend Trophy
Park University claimed the 2008-09 Townsend Trophy, a year-long athletic competition between Park University and William Jewell College.
www.parkathletics.com/news/park_002974.shtml
Former Park baseball coach Kelso dies
Former Park University baseball coach Bill Kelso, who also played in the major leagues, passed away in North Kansas City, Mo. Kelso coached the Pirates in the 1979-80 seasons.
www.parkathletics.com/mbaseball/park_002980.shtml
IN THE NEWS
• The London International Piano Competition has posted a two-plus minute clip of Behzod Abduraimov, sophomore pianist in Park University's International Center for Music, who captured the top prize at the prestigious event on April 29. Visit www.lipc.org.uk/ or YouTube to see the clip.
In addition, more and more sparkling reviews of Abduraimov's winning performance continue to come in. Read about Abduraimov's performance on Michael White's classical music blog on the United Kingdom's Telegraph and Douglas Cooksey's review at www.classicalsource.com. Abduraimov was also the subject of a feature in the May 3 edition of The Kansas City Star.
• Park University Board of Trustees member Danny O'Neill was featured as the cover story in The Kansas City Star's "Star Magazine" section on May 17. The feature was a question-and-answer interview with O'Neill about his business, The Roasterie. Read the story on the Star's web site.
• Park University's softball team appeared in a feature story on MetroSports, a division of Time Warner Cable in the Kansas City area. View the feature on MetroSports' web site.
• The Park University Golf Scramble on May 18 was photographed for The Kansas City Star's Online "Community Faces" section. View the photos at the Star's Community Faces web page.
• Jennifer Vosburg, a junior majoring in social psychology at Park's Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Campus Center, was recently highlighted in a feature story on St. Louis television station KTVI (FOX-2). As a teen, Vosburg was diagnosed with myasthenia gavis, a rare neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to weaken. She was featured in the story as medical researchers are looking at the possibility of using saliva from ticks to be used as treatment. Watch the story at KTVI's web site. In addition, Vosburg has recorded an informational video about the disease. Watch this video on YouTube.
• Park University Acting President Michael Droge, Ph.D., was interviewed for a story that appeared on WDAF-TV (FOX-4) on May 13. Droge provided comments for a "Wall Street to Main Street" series that featured Parkville, Mo. View the story at WDAF's web site.
• Park University President Emerita Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., was featured in the Platte County (Mo.) Sun Gazette on May 14. The story highlighted Byers-Pevitts' future endeavors. Read the story on the Sun Gazette's web site.
• Members of Park University's baseball team were highlighted in the May 10 edition of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. Six Pirates are from the Tucson area. Read the story on the Arizona Daily Star's web site.
• Tamara Miller, adjunct instructor of sociology in Park's Accelerated Program, was highlighted in a May 15 Kansas City Star column. A portion of the column was about Miller's volunteering at ReStart Inc., a ministry for the homeless. Read more on the Kansas City Star's web site.
• Prospective student Joe Malone, a recent graduate of Blue Springs (Mo.) High School who will attend Park's Parkville Campus in the fall, is already embracing the University's core values. Malone was highlighted in a story that appeared on KSHB-TV (Ch. 41) in Kansas City along with classmate Lauren Anderson. They were named prom king and queen and gave up their crowns to two special needs students. Read the text version of the story on KSHB's web site.
• Jason Grill, adjunct professor of social science, and the state representative of the 32nd District of Missouri, which includes Park University's Parkville Campus and the surrounding area, highlighted the American Council on Education/Wal-Mart Foundation $100,000 Success for Veterans Award Grant that the University recently received in a newsletter to his constituents.
• Martin Storey, assistant professor of music, was featured in a Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald story as he performed at the 100th anniversary season-ending concerts of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra on May 2 and 3.
• Board of Trustees member Pam Berneking was interviewed for a Kansas City Business Journal story (May 15 edition) on the banking industry. Berneking is president of the Kansas City region for M&I Bank.
• Park University was ranked No. 80 in the Kansas City Business Journal's list of its "100 Top Area Private Employers." The ranking, which appeared in the April 24-30 issue, was based on the number of full-time local employees (Park has 395).
UPCOMING EVENTS
View a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, at www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html. Please note that the Athletics Department recently released schedules for all fall sports. View the athletics schedule at www.parkathletics.com/news/dept/all_events.shtml.
