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| Maria Prifti |
Park student at Cherry Point campus becomes U.S. citizen on Independence Day
To many individuals, the Fourth of July is a fun-filled day for cook-outs, family gatherings and spectacular fireworks. However, it often lacks the remembrance this great American holiday deserves. For a group of 24 Marines, sailors and military spouses at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, the true meaning of the holiday was heartfelt as they declared themselves proud to be an American, becoming naturalized citizens during a ceremony on July 4.
Included in this group was Lance Cpl. Maria Prifti, a senior criminal justice/law enforcement major at Park University's Cherry Point (N.C.) Marine Corp Air Station Campus Center. Prifti, who previously held dual citizenship with Albania and Greece, said her decision to become a citizen was "natural."
"You serve the country, you should be proud to become (a citizen)…You should be proud of who you are and where you come from, but everywhere you go is home," she said. "I'm proud to be able to say I'm an American and I'm serving my country."
Read more about the event on the Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News web site.
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| Dr. Thomas Hoenig |
KC Federal Reserve Bank executive selected for School of Business lecture
Alphonso Ogbuehi, Ph.D., dean of Park University's School of Business, has announced that Thomas M. Hoenig, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will be the featured speaker at the 2009 Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series on Monday, September 28. The lecture will begin at 4 p.m. in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel.
Hoenig joined the FRB-KC in 1973 as an economist in the banking supervision area. He was named a vice president in 1981 and senior vice president in 1986 before beginning his current role in 1991. He directs Federal Reserve activities in the Tenth Federal Reserve District -- an area that includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, the northern half of New Mexico and the western third of Missouri. He is also a member of the Federal Reserve System's Open Market Committee, the key body with authority over monetary policy.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is one of 12 regional banks in the Federal Reserve System, with responsibilities that include participating in setting national monetary policy, supervising and regulating commercial banks and bank holding companies, serving as the bank for the U.S. Government and for commercial banks, and providing other payments services to depository institutions.
Park's "Big Read" event will feature Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping
In May, Jane Wood, Ph.D., interim dean of Park University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, learned that her application for a "The Big Read" grant from the National Endowment for the Arts was funded, receiving a $20,000 grant for a program during 2009-10. This came on the heels of a successful event in the fall of 2007, which celebrated the life of Ernest Hemingway and his book, A Farewell to Arms.
Wood and the NEA have recently announced that this year's Park "Big Read" program, co-sponsored by the Kansas City Public Library and The Central Exchange (a Kansas City-area nonprofit organization that champions women in leadership and business), will focus on Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson's novel about young women coming of age. Park University's event is the only one of the 269 "Big Read" events across the country focusing on Housekeeping.
Due to scheduling conflicts, Park's "Big Read" event has been pushed to the spring of 2010, with Robinson scheduled to make an appearance in late April or early May.
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| Dr. Nicolas Koudou |
Koudou speaks at Little Rock AFB, Scott AFB commencements
Nicolas Koudou, Ph.D., professor of business administration and director of the Master of Business Administration program, was the keynote speaker for Park University's commencement ceremonies at the Little Rock (Ark.) Air Force Base and Scott (Ill.) Air Force Base campus centers, June 12 and 18, respectively. In addition, Koudou conferred degrees during both commencements, as well as at the Moody (Ga.) Air Force Base Campus Center on May 28.
An excerpt from Koudou's address: "This event (commencement) is unique because you are not only achievers, but also peacemakers and peacekeepers for the world. Graduates, the formal education received from Park University combined with your military services will help you continue to enrich your lifetime journey. Your education and military experience will be the foundation to become great leaders with the global community. Thank you for your humanitarian beliefs and your commitment to freedom for all."
Jerome has article published in Online newsletter
Lawrence Jerome, Online adjunct instructor of computer science and economics, had his article, "Teaching Mathematics Online," published in the May issue of the Online Classroom newsletter. An excerpt from the article can be read at www.magnapubs.com/issues/magnapubs_oc/9_5/.
Student thanks Cherry Point staff for Veterans Affairs assistance
A student at Park University's Cherry Point (N.C.) Marine Corp Air Station Campus Center was grateful for the help the staff at the campus center provided for the student's appeal to the Veterans Affairs office. "Park's Cherry Point staff is the epitome of what higher education is all about. I can only aspire to be half as friendly and half as patient with the students as your staff is. Regardless of the outcome of my appeal, I am glad I transferred to your fine (University)."
Park In The News
Javier Centonzio, who graduated from Park University in May with a bachelor's degree in political science, was featured in June 25 story in the Platte County (Mo.) Sun-Gazette. The story focused on Centonzio in relation to the University's recent top 100 ranking by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine for graduating Hispanic students. Read the story on the Sun-Gazette's web site.
Denzel Williams, '04, was highlighted in a July 9 story in the (Gladstone, Mo.) Sun Tribune. The article focuses on Williams and his latest rap album that has garnered critical praise. Read the story on the Sun Tribune's web site.
Green tip of the day
By bringing your own food to work, you'll reduce waste, eat healthier and save money. Estimates of savings can vary, but you could save more than $75 a month! To maximize waste-reduction, buy food staples in bulk, then set aside one evening to prepare lunches for the week. Opt for reusable containers and cloth napkins. Introduce your co-workers to the fun of healthy food by organizing a green potluck lunch. For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming Events
• 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
• New Faculty Orientation -- August 10-11, Louise Morden Board Room
• Fall Faculty Conference -- August 12-13, College for Distance Learning Conference Center
• Residence Halls open (Parkville Campus) -- August 13, 10 a.m.
• Welcome Week (Parkville Campus) -- August 16-21
• Fall 2009 Semester, Fall I begin (KC area) -- August 17
• Labor Day (KC area offices closed and no daytime classes; Fall I classes held) -- September 7
• School of Business Public/Private Partnership Symposium -- September 14, TBA, Kansas City Public Library Central Library
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
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