Michael H. Droge, Ph.D. President Park University

As of this writing, I have just concluded my first 45 days in the leadership role at Park University. During that short but busy time:

• Many faculty and staff members have been engaged in meaningful group conversations about ways to strengthen the University. Their enthusiasm is contagious and I consider it my great privilege to serve such an excellent team of faculty and staff members who care deeply about the way Park embraces the future.
• I was appointed as “captain” on a Park Pirate ship (float) in Parkville’s Fourth of July parade. Molly, my spouse, and Teddy, our dog, were also aboard as Pirate members!
• Molly and I thoroughly enjoyed our time as we hosted nearly 300 wonderful alumni during our recent Alumni Weekend activities.
• Several scheduled meetings with key community leaders have been helpful to me during this time of transition.

The past few weeks have been productive and my background as a faculty member and administrator, including service as provost and senior vice president at Park since 2002, has prepared me well for this new role. Molly is as dedicated to Park as I am, and we are honored to now make our home on the Parkville Campus. We have so enjoyed serving during these first exciting days, and the experience has affirmed for Molly and me that Park is truly a treasure in its heritage as well as its promise for the future.

With your community support, combined with the rest of the Park University community, we will write a new chapter in the life of this amazing institution. We will do that together and it will be a chapter in which we can all take great pride!

Michael H. Droge, Ph.D.
Interim President
Park University