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| Olisa Cifligu |
Recent graduate selected for position with United Nations
Olisa Cifligu, who graduated in May from Park University with a degree in interior design, has been appointed as the third secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations. As part of her duties, Cifligu will be assigned to a U.N. committee and will be responsible for preparing reports as well as serving as a spokesperson.
While at Park, Cifligu was involved with the Model United Nations club, an experience she said made a difference in her life to explore world diplomacy. "The MUN club made me a better person, a responsible delegate, taught me diplomacy and improved my public speaking skills," she said.
"I am very proud that I will represent my country to the U.N. The U.N. organization is one whose purpose is to maintain international peace and security, and to develop friendly relations among nations and to ensure progress in many aspects of social life," Cifligu added. "I have been appointed to a job that really will help me as a person grow and deal with issues all around the world."
Board of Trustees announce faculty promotions, grant tenure
During its May 8 meeting, the Park University Board of Trustees announced that seven faculty members have been promoted and 12 faculty have been granted tenure. Those promoted were:
• Kay Boehr, assistant professor of interior design to associate professor
• Virginia Brackett, Ph.D., assistant professor of English to associate professor
• Dong (Donna) Hwa Choi, Ph.D., assistant professor of education to associate professor
• Dennis Kerkman, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology to professor
• B. Jean Mandernach, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology to professor
• Marthann Schulte, Ph.D., assistant professor of education to associate professor
• David Yates, instructor of chemistry to assistant professor
Those granted tenure were:
• Boehr
• Brackett
• Choi
• Amber Dailey-Hebert, Ph.D., associate professor of education
• Michael Eskey, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice
• Sherry Fontaine, Ph.D., associate professor of healthcare administration
• Walter Kisthardt, Ph.D., associate professor of social work
• Linda Seybert, Ph.D., associate professor of education
• Debra Sheffer, Ph.D., associate professor of history
• Kathleen Vinlove, Ph.D., associate professor of economics
• Donald Williams, Ed.D., associate professor of biology
• Jane Wood, Ph.D., associate professor of English
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| Kay Barnes |
Barnes appointed to ASPA national post
Kay Barnes, distinguished professor of public leadership and founding director of Park University's Center for Leadership, has been appointed to the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration. Barnes was selected for the position by ASPA President Paul Posner to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D., dean of the Hauptmann School for Public Affairs and professor of public administration. DiPadova-Stocks, who was recently appointed to serve as the interim executive director of Park University's Graduate School beginning July 1, resigned from the National Council to concentrate on her dual HSPA and Graduate School responsibilities.
Barnes, whose term will expire in April 2010, has been invited by Posner to organize and moderate a panel of mayors at the 2010 ASPA Annual Conference in San Jose, Calif. Barnes becomes the fourth Park employee ever to have served on ASPA's governing board, joining DiPadova-Stocks, current ASPA Vice President Erik Bergrud, director of the International Center for Civic Engagement and special assistant to the president for University projects on civic engagement, and the late Jerzy Hauptmann, Ph.D., professor emeritus of political science and public administration.
University hosts ISFTE pre-seminar meeting with Nigerian educator
Park University's School for Education and the Office of International Affairs and Education co-hosted a pre-seminar meeting on the Parkville Campus with Modupe M. Osokoya, Ph.D., senior research fellow at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The visit, May 31 and June 1, allowed University faculty and staff to provide Osokoya with information to promote Park to the International Society for Teacher Education. The University is bidding to host the ISFTE Seminar in 2012, the year of the School for Education's centennial. A number of University faculty and staff visited with Osokoya (in adjacent photo, lower right) to discuss Park's interest in hosting the conference, including Kimberley Connelly, assistant director of International Student Services (upper left), Olga Ganzen, Ph.D., executive director of the Office of International Affairs and Education (upper right) and Jo Agnew-Tally, Ed.D., dean of the School for Education (lower left).
Relay fundraiser benefitted Park track and field squad
Park University's initial 24-hour track relay fundraiser, to benefit the Pirates' track and field squad, ran into some trouble with the weather, but was a success. The event, co-sponsored by the Park University Alumni Association, the Department of Athletics and Push Pedal Pull, was slated to begin at 5 p.m. on May 15, but was delayed until 5 a.m. the next morning due to thunderstorms in the Parkville, Mo., area, cutting the event in half. However, a number of students, alumni, family and friends raised $2,404 for the track and field team.
Head coach Brian Renshaw has already made plans to hold a similar event next year, tentatively scheduled for May 14-15, 2010, at Julian Field on the Parkville Campus. Those interested in helping or participating in next year's event are asked to contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumnioffice@park.edu.
Grill, Pirate Grounds open during summer
Just a reminder that the Park University cafeteria, located on the second floor of Thompson Commons, is holding summer hours for its grill menu. The grill is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, the Pirate Grounds coffee shop is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Besides its selection of beverages, Pirate Grounds is also offering its Smart Market favorites, as well as pizza, panini sandwiches and pretzels.
Former student sends thanks for Model U.N. assistance
Olisa Cifligu (see story above), sent her thanks to the following faculty and staff members who guided her through her Park Model United Nations involvement: Simona Cibotaru, Office of International Affairs and Education graduate assistant, for dedicating so much time to organizing everything for the club's meetings and conferences; Olga Ganzen, Ph.D., executive director of the Office of International Affairs and Education, for her dedication and hard work with all international education programs at Park; Fabio Garcia, international programs coordinator, for his love of what he does -- to make the PMUN and other clubs a special experience for all students; and Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and MUN faculty adviser, for teaching members of the Park Model U.N. club their speech skills and helping them find their potential in order to best represent Park University.
Park Current reminder: Send us your Mother's Day and Father's Day photos
The May/June issue of The Park Current will be coming soon and wants to honor all Park University mothers and fathers. We’re looking for photos of Park faculty and staff with their children, and/or photos of you with your mom and dad. Please be sure to identify everyone in the photo, as well as include any additional information about the photo and the individuals in the photo. E-mail your submission and photos to advancement@park.edu or fill out the news request form at www.park.edu/webguide/news.html (you will still need to send your photos to the aforementioned e-mail address).
The deadline for submitting items for the next issue of The Park Current has been extended to 4 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, June 26. Remember, The Park Current is also your opportunity to share personal news, announcements and accomplishments with your Park University colleagues, as well as a place to sell, buy or trade items. Please send this information to advancement@park.edu as well. Remember, because of the personal nature of The Park Current, this newsletter is not published to the University's web site and is distributed only via e-mail.
Park In The News
Ryan Wagner, who graduated from Park University in May with a bachelor's degree in history, was honored by the Missouri Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Wing on June 7 in St. Joseph. Wagner, a staff sergeant, received the Air Medal for working under "extremely hazardous" conditions between December 2007 and January 2008 while flying at Bagram Air Force Base, Afghanistan. Read the feature about Wagner in the St. Joseph News-Press.
Green tip of the day
No form of motorized transport is really green, but if you must use it, consider offsetting. Other ways to cut your carbon footprint from driving or flying include: packing lighter to save on the fuel it will take to transport you and your stuff; taking the train or bus instead of driving a personal vehicle; and exploring places closer to home. For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming Events
• Margaret Shelby Art Exhibit -- through July 10, Campanella Gallery
• Ethnic Voices Poetry Series featuring Craig Santos Perez -- June 17, Kansas City Public Library Central Library, 14 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, Mo., 6:30 p.m. (reception at 6 p.m.)
• Alumni Weekend -- June 25-28, Parkville Campus
• Junemester ends -- June 26
• Independence Day holiday -- July 3 (Parkville Campus closed)
• Parkville Community Band 4th of July Concert -- July 4, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Julymester begins -- July 6
• Victoria Crowder Payne Art Exhibit -- July 14-August 21, Campanella Gallery (Reception: July 17, 6:30 p.m., Campanella Gallery)
• Summer session ends -- July 24
• Julymester ends -- July 31
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
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