IN THIS ISSUE:
• Faculty, staff urged to donate to Park First campaign
• University hosting Symposium on Public-Private Partnerships Nov. 4
• Youngblood receives grants to continue Ugandan peace journalism project
• University receives 2009 "Best of Oklahoma City Award"
• Eskey presents paper on student plagiarism at criminal justice conference
• M.P.A. students participate in Truman Library program
• Zeta Omicron conducting raffle to support history students
• Park In The News--Sonny Gibson, '74
• Green tip of the day
• Upcoming Events
Faculty, staff urged to donate to Park First campaign
"Pack up your troubles and just get happy with Park First!" is the 2009-10 theme for the Park First faculty/staff giving campaign. As Park University continues to pay homage to its traditions and history -- while addressing the challenges of today and embracing the opportunities of tomorrow – faculty and staff are working diligently to provide the best learning environment and support system, as well as appropriate financial aid, to all worthy and deserving students. But to maintain this tie to our roots, the University must rely on the generosity of faculty and staff to assist our students in the same manner as those that have graced the campus from years gone by.
As Park continues to provide a high level of quality service to its students, faculty and staff are asked to consider the added touch of financial support. Your donation Park First donation -- allocated to the Park Fund -- may be designated to your desired interest: be it athletics, the arts, science, business, social sciences, etc. In previous years, faculty and staff have generously supported Park University and it is hoped you can be counted on this year.
In appreciation of a minimum pledge of $25 a month for one year, you will receive a Park First travel bag, as well as an entry for a drawing for two round-trip airline tickets to Cancun, Mexico. Or, consider a one-time gift of $25 and you will receive your choice of a Park First lunch bag or coffee mug. For more information, visit www.park.edu/give/givingclub.html.
University hosting Symposium on Public-Private Partnerships Nov. 4
Park University's School of Business is bringing together major stakeholders in finance, public policy, economic development and real estate development for a day-long conference. The Symposium on Public-Private Partnerships will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Helzberg Auditorium, located inside the Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library's Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The event goes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Symposium will demonstrate how governments can benefit from private-sector financing for new infrastructure or improvements for existing, outmoded structures. Likewise, private investors are confronted with a variety of questions when deciding on the best way to structure and finance public-private partnerships that will yield acceptable return on investment. The Symposium is an ideal opportunity to listen to, interact and network with peers about the state of 3P projects in the 21st century, success stories and challenges of 3Ps, and the new realities of 3Ps financing in the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008-09. Panelists include national and regional experts on the subject as well as high profile elected officials with intimate experiences of public-private partnership ventures and Park University faculty and staff.
The cost is $40 in advance and $50 at the door. A limited number of student tickets are available for $25. The fee includes Symposium materials, breakfast, lunch and complimentary parking. Attendees will also receive a certificate of professional development in public-private partnership from Park University. For complete information about the Symposium, including an event agenda and registration, visit www.park.edu/3p.
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| Steve Youngblood |
Youngblood receives grants to continue Ugandan peace journalism project
Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts, has received two grants totaling $150,000 to continue his peace journalism work in the Republic of Uganda. The grants will allow Youngblood to direct and teach a six-month Peace, Developmental and Electoral Journalism project in Uganda. He received a $90,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State, administered through the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, and a $60,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The project, to be launched in July 2010, will be aimed at preventing violence before, during and after the March 2011 presidential elections in Uganda.
"I'm thrilled, though I'm already concerned about the logistical and practical difficulties of the project," said Youngblood. "Violence before and after elections is seen as almost a given in eastern Africa. With this project, we hope to stop that cycle of violence and retribution."
Read more about Youngblood's peace journalism project at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001394.shtml.
University receives 2009 "Best of Oklahoma City Award"
Park University was recently selected as a winner of the 2009 Best of Oklahoma City Award in the "universities category" by the U.S. Commerce Association. Park's Tinker Air Force Base Campus Center is located in southeastern Oklahoma City adjacent to Del City and Midwest City. Susan Corbeil is the campus center director.
USCA's "Best of Local Business" award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, USCA identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in the local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
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| Dr. Michael Eskey |
Eskey presents paper on student plagiarism at criminal justice conference
Michael T. Eskey, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice, presented a paper at the Midwest Criminal Justice Association's annual conference, Sept. 24-26 in Chicago. Eskey presented "Writing and Citing in Criminal Justice: It's Not Always Plagiarism." The presentation addressed several concerns related to student plagiarism, whether advertent or inadvertent, and basic student writing concerns. The paper also addressed and assessed nearly 1,600 papers submitted as term papers for online criminal justice courses with a variance in the amount of plagiarism and lack of sufficient writing preparation.
M.P.A. students participate in Truman Library program
On Sept. 23, 14 students in Park University's Master of Public Affairs program took part in the Adult White House Decision Center at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Mo. The PA 501 (Public Affairs Concepts and Theory) and PA 600 (Ethical Foundations of Authority and Responsibility) students examined original documents from the Truman Administration and participated in role playing exercises to simulate the experience that President Truman and his advisers had when they decided to end the war with Japan. The students explored historical aspects of the Truman presidency while practicing communication, ethical decision-making and teamwork skills as part of this activity.
Zeta Omicron conducting raffle to support history students
Park University's Phi Alpha Theta chapter of Zeta Omicron is conducting its 4th annual fall raffle to raise funds for the organization's textbook grant. This grant, established in 2008 for first-time incoming freshman history majors, goes to one student per academic year, divided into $250 per semester for textbook purchases. Zeta Omicron is selling tickets for a chance to win one of about 12 gift certificates to area restaurants. Tickets are $1 a piece or six for $5. For more information, contact Tim Westcott, Ph.D., associate professor of history and Zeta Omicron faculty adviser, at tim.westcott@park.edu or (816) 584-6363.
Park In The News
Sonny Gibson, '74, will be honored at the Freedom Fund Luncheon for the Kansas City chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. Gibson will be presented with the Carl R. Johnson Humanitarian Award. Read more at www.kccall.com/article.cfm?articleid=3941.
Green tip of the day
When it comes to portion size, Americans tend to overdo it. More than 25 percent of the food we prepare ends up in the trash. When food decomposes in landfills under anaerobic conditions, it contributes to global warming by producing methane. Order smaller portions at restaurants or split one entree between two people. The next time your eyes are bigger than your stomach, take home leftovers in a reusable container. For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming Events
• William Eickhorst Art Exhibit -- through October 23, Campanella Gallery
• Department of Theatre production of Fuddy Meers -- Oct. 9-10, 8 p.m., David Theater (Alumni Hall)
• Fall I ends (KC area) -- October 11
• Fall Break begins (KC area) -- October 12
• Fall Break ends (KC area) -- October 18
• Fall II begins (KC area) -- October 19
• Coming to America Program (Americas) -- October 21, noon, Herr House Lounge
• Ethnic Voices Poetry Series: Latino Writers Collective -- October 22, 7 p.m. (reception 6:30 p.m.), McCoy Meetin' House
• Association for Computing Machinery Regional Programming Contest -- October 24, Parkville Campus
• Michael David Wickerson Art Exhibit -- October 26-November 25, Campanella Gallery
• "Experience a College Day" (CLAS event) -- October 28, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Parkville Campus
• Meet, Eat and Greet Career Fair -- October 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (employers and students), 1-3 p.m.; (employers and faculty), Breckon Sports Center East Dome
• Toys for Tots Campaign (Phi Alpha Theta/Zeta Omicron) -- October 29-November 25, Parkville Campus
• CETL Colleague-to-Colleague Series "Creating a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program -- November 4, 1-3 p.m., Louise Morden Board Room
• School of Business Symposium on Public/Private Partnerships -- November 4, 8 a.m., Kansas City Public Library Central Library
• Meyer Music Piano Sale -- November 6-7, TBA, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Parkville Community Band Concert -- November 8, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Veteran's Day (Kansas City area offices closed; no Parkville Campus daytime classes; Fall II classes held) -- November 11
• Park Model United Nations Event -- November 11, TBA, Parkville Campus
• International Center for Music Master Classes with violinist Eric Rosenblith -- November 13, 1-5:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• International Center for Music/Youth Conservatory for Music Young Virtuosi Concert -- November 15, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Coming to America Program (Asia) -- November 18, noon, Herr House Lounge
• Thanksgiving Break (KC area offices closes and no daytime classes; Fall II classes held) -- November 26-29
• Graduating Fine Arts Seniors Art Exhibit (Melanie Clouser, Rachel Hinges and John Sutton III) -- November 30-January 29, 2010, Campanella Gallery
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
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