PARK UNIVERSITY E-NEWS
News from August 2009
UNIVERSITY NEWS
University begins "Windows of Opportunity" campaign for Norrington Center windows
Visitors to the Parkville Campus have certainly seen the peeling windows of Norrington Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Library. Norrington Center, which now houses Park's Office of Admissions, is the first building prospective students and their parents visit. Recently, the University launched its "Windows of Opportunity" campaign to raise the needed $336,000 to replace the windows for Norrington Center. Through Sept. 9, nearly $62,000 had been raised.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001374.shtml
www.park.edu/windows
Magazine again ranks Park as one of the best in country for racial diversity
Park University again earned a distinction as one of the top colleges and universities in the nation for having a racially diverse student body population. In the recently published U.S. News & World Report -- Best Colleges 2010, Park was ranked fourth among Master's level colleges and universities in the Midwest for racial diversity, and tied for 46th nationwide. Park also tied for 24th among Midwest colleges and universities for its percentage of undergraduate international students.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001364.shtml
Online degree programs ranked high by consumer group
GetEducated.com, a consumer watchdog and advocacy group, announced that five Park University Online degree programs were ranked as "best buys" -- (rankings are within each division) Master of Public Affairs/Public Administration (4th); Master of Business Administration (12th); Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration/Law Enforcement/Security/Corrections (12th); Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology (20th); and Bachelor of Science in Management (33rd).
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001351.shtml
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| Dr. Daniel Donaldson |
Donaldson tabbed as associate vice president for academic affairs
Daniel P. Donaldson, Ph.D., was appointed as Park University's associate vice president for academic affairs. He began his duties on Aug. 12. As associate vice president for academic affairs, Donaldson will report to the provost and oversee significant portions of the academic operations. Previously, Donaldson had spent his entire professional career at the University of Central Oklahoma.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001342.shtml
University receives another "military friendly" honor
Park University was honored by G.I. Jobs magazine on its 2010 list of "Military Friendly Schools." The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America's veterans as students.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001358.shtml
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| Maria Prifti |
Cherry Point Campus Center student becomes U.S. citizen on Independence Day
Lance Cpl. Maria Prifti, a senior criminal justice/law enforcement major at Park's Cherry Point (N.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Center, became a U.S. citizen on July 4 during a ceremony at Camp Lejeune (N.C.).
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001337.shtml
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| Dr. Thomas Hoenig |
KC Federal Reserve Bank executive selected for School of Business lecture
Park's School of Business announced that Thomas M. Hoenig, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will be the feature speaker at its 2009 Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series on Monday, September 28.
www.park.edu/sb/events.shtml
Early childhood education bachelor's degree now offered Online
Addressing a national shortage of qualified preschool teachers, Park University is now offering its Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science program Online. Designed especially for educators in Head Start programs, preschools and early childhood programs, the degree combines a solid academic curriculum with the flexibility of online learning. Park is one of only a few not-for-profit higher learning institutions in the U.S. to offer online early childhood education Bachelor of Science degrees.
University offering early childhood education degree Online, new foreign language courses
Addressing a national shortage of qualified preschool teachers, Park University is now offering its Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science program Online. Park is one of only a few not-for-profit higher learning institutions in the U.S. to offer Online Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science degrees. Designed especially for educators in Head Start programs, preschools and early childhood programs, the degree combines a solid academic curriculum with the flexibility of online learning for non-certification candidates.
Although the coursework can be completed online, 95 percent of the education courses require interaction and/or observation with young children, educators and the community. Practicum courses and internships are considered "hybrid;" whereas there are online seminars, but the coursework takes places in the field.
www.park.edu/education/ece.html
University making impact on Facebook, Twitter
This summer, Park University began its official presence on Facebook. It's just one more way to keep up with news and events, not just on the Parkville Campus, but at campus centers across the country. As of the morning of Sept. 4, the University's official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/parkuniversity, had 902 "fans." Besides the University's official page, a number of University departments and campus centers also have Facebook pages. A list of current Park University Facebook pages can be found at www.park.edu/about/facebook.html. In addition, the University recently joined the ranks on Twitter. Become a Park University follower on Twitter at http://twitter.com/parkuniversity to begin receiving Park "tweets." In addition, Park University Interim President Michael Droge, Ph.D., has a Twitter account. Follow him at http://twitter.com/ParkUPrez. Links to Park's official Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and news feeds can be found on the University's home page, www.park.edu.
For those who follow the Pirates' athletic teams, check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/parkathletics and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ParkPirates.
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| Kay Barnes |
Barnes to receive 2009 Missourian Award from American Heart Association
Kay Barnes, distinguished professor of public leadership and founding director of Park University's Center for Leadership, will be presented with the 2009 Missourian Award on Saturday, Sept. 26, during a ceremony in Jefferson City, Mo. Presented by the American Heart Association, the Missourian Award is given annually to nominees who have made an outstanding contribution to their state or nation in civics, business, education, politics or the arts.
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| Alex Dorofeev |
M.P.A. student receives United Nations internship
Alex Dorofeev, a graduate assistant in the Office of International Affairs and Education, and a student in Park's Master of Public Affairs program, was selected as the winner of the prestigious and highly competitive United Nations University Office at the United Nations New York Junior Professional Fellows Internship.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001347.shtml
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| Esther Francis |
Student earns scholarship to study in Mexico
Esther Francis, a senior double majoring in business administration/human resources and international business, received the 2009-10 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Francis, who received a $3,500 scholarship, is spending the fall semester at the University of Guanajuato, Mexico, studying Spanish language and culture.
http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001350.shtml
University offering leadership skills classes for women
Park University's Center for Leadership and the Hauptmann School for Public Affairs, in partnership with other Kansas City area organizations, is again offering a series of classes this fall to women who want to increase their community and civic leadership skills. The six-week session, "What's Next? Women Making a Difference in their Community," is designed to help women identify their personal passion and develop a plan for leadership in the local community.
www.park.edu/outreach/files/whatsnext.pdf
ALUMNI NEWS
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| Dionysius Sebwe |
Alumnus Sebwe returns to Park to speak to men's soccer team
Dionysius Sebwe, '97, is a true, defensive leader. In the 1990s, he led the Pirate defense on the soccer field. Today, he helps lead the defense of the entire country of Liberia. A native of Monrovia, Liberia, Sebwe was an All-American defender for Park's men's soccer team from 1993-95 and is now the deputy minister for operations for the Minister of Defense in his home country -- a west coast, African country with a population of more than 3 million people. He recently returned to the Parkville Campus to visit with the men's soccer team.
www.parkathletics.com/msoccer/park_003077.shtml
Alumni Association, track/cross country teams hosting 5K runs
The Park University Alumni Association, along with Park's track and field and cross country teams, are co-sponsoring the Park University Cross Country Festival, a 5K run and kids' fun runs on Saturday, Oct. 3. The runs are being held in conjunction with the Park Invitational cross country meet at Platte Ridge Park, 17130 Highway 371, about three miles north of Platte City, Mo.
For the men's and women's 5K runs, the entry fee is $15, which includes a t-shirt. The women's race begins at 10 a.m., with the men's race at 10:30 a.m. Both races will be run simultaneously with the University's meet. The kids' fun runs (one mile and one-half mile) are open to those 13 and under. These races, $3 per child, begin at 9 a.m. and include a medal for all finishers.
The registration deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 29. Please note that all races will be timed, but not recorded, and no walkers, strollers or pets are allowed. For more information, contact Brian Renshaw, Park University cross country coach, at brian.renshaw@park.edu or (816) 584-6488, or the Office of Alumni Relations, at alumnioffice@park.edu or (816) 584-6207.
Photos from Alumni Weekend, dinosaur dig available for viewing
Photos from Park University's Alumni Weekend '09 and the recent dinosaur dig trip in Montana are available to view. Visit www.parkalumni.org to see the photos.
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
Women's golf team selected as NAIA's Scholar Team of the Year
Park University's women's golf squad was named the 2008-09 NAIA Scholar Team of the Year after posting a combined 3.97 grade point average. Six other Pirate teams -- women's soccer, men's indoor track & field, men's cross country, women's softball, men's outdoor track & field and women's cross country -- were also represented on the NAIA's Scholar Team list.
www.parkathletics.com/wgolf/park_003033.shtml
Women's soccer team begins year ranked in top 25
Park's women's soccer team opened the year ranked No. 14 in the NAIA's preseason poll. The men's soccer squad started the season ranked just outside the top 25 at No. 28. Both teams won their season-opening games against Avila University.
Men's basketball announces 2009-10 signing class
Park University head men's basketball coach Jason Kline announced the program's 2009-10 signing class, including six junior college transfers, one freshman with high school experience and a pair of transfers from NCAA Division I schools.
www.parkathletics.com/mbasketball/park_003067.shtml
"Cover Up with the Pirates" at Julian Field in 2009
The Park University women's soccer team wants your new and gently used blankets. Yes, it gets cold at Julian Field late in the season as the playoffs arrive, but these blankets aren't for the players. They're for shelters in the Kansas City area as part of Park's "Cover Up with the Pirates" women’s soccer program.
www.parkathletics.com/wsoccer/park_003035.shtml
IN THE NEWS
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| Behzod Abduraimov |
Behzod Abduraimov, a sophomore applied music/piano student in Park University's International Center for Music and the winner of the 2009 London International Piano Competition, will be a part of a 10-day tour of Asia this October as he performs with the Sydney (Australia) Symphony Orchestra. Read the story from the July 14 issue of the Sydney Morning Herald.
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| Javier Centonzio |
Javier Centonzio, who graduated from Park University in May with a bachelor's degree in political science, was featured in a Platte County (Mo.) Sun-Gazette story. The article 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.
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| Dr. Laurie DiPadova-Stocks |
A handful of Park University students were a part of a special PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, "On the Record with Bernanke" -- featuring Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, taped on July 26 from the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, Mo. Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D., dean of Park's Hauptmann School for Public Affairs and interim executive director of Park's Graduate School, and Don Wise, HSPA fellow for nonprofit leadership, were among those who were acknowledged for helping with the event. This town hall meeting can be viewed at www.pbs.org/newshour/video/share.html?s=news01pa98.
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| Traci Klasing |
Traci Klasing, assistant director of Park's Career Development Center and internship coordinator, was interviewed for a story focusing on internships on Kansas City's WDAF-TV (FOX-4) on Aug. 11. The story revolved around the increasing trend of unpaid student internships -- including internships that were once paid are now unpaid.
Carla Boren, director of student financial services, provided comments in a recent Kearney (Mo.) Courier article on how changes to the Pell Grant program are helping students. Read the story at the Kearney Courier's web site.
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| Dr. Michael Droge |
Park University Interim President Michael Droge, Ph.D., was profiled in the Aug. 20 edition of the Platte County (Mo.) Sun Gazette. Read the article on the Sun Gazette's web site.
William Perry, '67, Ph.D., president of Eastern Illinois University, was profiled in the University's newspaper, The Daily Eastern News. Read the article on the newspaper's web site.
UPCOMING EVENTS
View a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, at www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
