IN THIS ISSUE:
• Biology adjunct faculty member completes Fulbright teaching in Bangladesh
• Aitken co-authors interpersonal communication textbook
• Thailand International Visitors Council delegation visits Parkville Campus
• Bachman presents firsthand account of 9/11 at lecture
• Mason, student present poster at psychology conference
• Study Abroad Fair set for Sept. 28
• Park Current reminder: Send in your favorite photos
• Park In The News--Dr. Walter Kisthardt, Daniel Tubei, Park University Golf Scramble, Jordan Breedlove, '09, Kristi Clemens, M.Ed., '07
• Green tip of the day
• Upcoming Events
 |
| Dr. Mohammed Uddin |
Biology adjunct faculty member completes Fulbright teaching in Bangladesh
Mohammed Rafique Uddin, Ph.D., adjunct professor of biology at Park University's Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington (Tenn.) Campus Center, who was awarded a J. William Fulbright Scholarship Award last year, completed his teaching of genetics and biotechnology at Sher-e-Bangla University in Bangladesh this summer. A native of Bangladesh, Uddin said that his home country is striving to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. "The government has placed a great emphasis on using modern genetic food crop development technology to increase its food quality and quantity," he said. "I have extensive training and experience in food crop development using genetics and plant breeding technology, and my Fulbright lectures were very useful toward developing food crops in Bangladesh."
The Fulbright Program, the United States' flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries." Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.
 |
| Dr. Joan Aitken |
Aitken co-authors interpersonal communication textbook
A textbook about interpersonal communication co-authored by Joan Aitken, Ed.D., professor of communication arts, has recently been published. ICOMM: Interpersonal Concepts and Competencies – Foundations of Interpersonal Communication, is designed for college-level communication courses and provides a practical approach to improving interpersonal communication skills. The textbook emphasizes the development of communication competencies, including skills, understanding of the theory and research that contextualizes the skills to make them relevant to learning, and the motivation to put the skills into practice. The book is distinctive in that it offers a skills-based approach that is grounded in solid theory and research. The text is written in a personal and friendly manner, stressing concepts, skills and applications. Read more information about the book on the publisher's website.
Thailand International Visitors Council delegation visits Parkville Campus
Members of a U.S. Department of State-sponsored International Visitors Council delegation studying international crime issues in America visited with Park University criminal justice administration students and faculty on Sept. 1 on the Parkville Campus. Visitors included (see adjacent photo, from left) Mike Wood, Kansas City International Visitors Council; Nopphawan Thirawut, deputy superintendent of policy and planning, Southern Border Province Police Bureau, Thailand; Siranan Tantitemit, a public prosecutor with the Civil Litigation Division of the Thailand Office of Attorney General; Carol Getty, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice; Montanee Anusas-Amornkul, Department of State language officer; and Kenneth Christopher, D.P.A., assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and assistant professor of criminal justice administration. The visitors also participated in Getty's CJ 425 (Comparative Criminal Justice) class, asking questions and describing their work to students.
 |
| Gary Bachman |
Bachman presents firsthand account of 9/11 at lecture
Gary Bachman, associate professor of social work and field director, provided a personal glimpse of the events that occurred in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, during a community presentation in North Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 9. Bachman discussed his experiences while working on the front lines that fateful day as a disaster relief worker. In addition, Bachman explained to those in attendance how to get involved with disaster relief efforts through the American Red Cross.
Mason, student present poster at psychology conference
Teresa Mason, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, and Paul K. Jacques, a senior social psychology student (both in adjacent photo), co-presented a poster at the Eastern Conference on the Teaching of Psychology in Staunton, Va., this summer. The poster, "Instructor and Students as Co-Creators of a Seminar Course: Perspectives from the Student and Faculty Positions," was the result of a joint venture between instructor and student, applying a unique teaching style to a seminar course.
Study Abroad Fair set for Sept. 28
The Office of International Education and Study Abroad will host its first Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground. This is a fantastic opportunity for students, as well as faculty and staff, to learn about all of the study abroad programs offered by Park University, including short-term, semester and academic year possibilities. The OIESA will also have a table with information on scholarships and financial aid. The fair will feature free food, giveaways and a raffle for great travel prizes, including a $50 gift card. For more information about the fair or the Office of International Education and Study Abroad programs, contact Angie Peterson, interim director of the OIESA, at angela.peterson@park.edu or (816) 584-6510, or visit www.park.edu/intled/.
Park Current reminder: Send in your favorite photos
With the changing of the seasons from summer to fall, Park University faculty and staff will be experiencing a wide variety of weather across the country. With this "mixed bag" in mind, we invite faculty and staff to send in a hodge-podge of photos -- whatever subject it may be -- for the next issue of The Park Current newsletter. The only requirement is that the photo be one that you took or one that you are in.
Please make sure to identify any individuals in the photos, as well as provide information about the photo. E-mail your submissions and photos to communication@park.edu or fill out the news request form at www.park.edu/webguide/news.html. The deadline for submitting items for the October issue is 4 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, October 1.
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 communication@park.edu as well. Keep in mind that because of the personal nature of The Park Current, this newsletter is only distributed via e-mail to Park University faculty and staff and is not published to the University's website.
Park In The News
 |
| Dr. Walter Kisthardt |
Walter Kisthardt, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Bachelor's in Social Work program, was featured in a Sept. 5 story that appeared in the Hazleton (Pa.) Standard Speaker. Kisthardt, who was a two-sport standout at Hazleton High School and a four-year starting point guard for Elizabethtown College, will be inducted into the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 19. He also served as an assistant coach for Elizabethtown's women's basketball team which won the NCAA Division II championship in 1982.
Sophomore cross country student-athlete Daniel Tubei appeared in a photo gallery in the University Daily Kansan on Sept. 4 competing in the Bob Timmons Classic in Lawrence, Kan.
The Park University Golf Scramble was featured in The Kansas City Star's online "Community Faces" section on Sept. 10. Check out the photos from the event at www.kansascity.com/2010/09/09/1285221/park-university-golf-scramble.html.
Jordan Breedlove, '09, was featured in the "Q&A" section of The Kansas City Star's "Star Magazine" on Sept. 12.
Kristi Clemens, M.Ed., '07, was highlighted as the "Teacher of the Week" in the Sept. 8 issue of The Examiner (Independence, Mo.) Clemens is a teacher in Grain Valley, Mo.
Green tip of the day
Both tea and French-pressed coffee require hot water, so you'll likely need a kettle. To use energy wisely, choose an electric one (metal, not plastic) instead of the more traditional stove-top model, and don't boil more water than you'll actually drink. Clean your kettle often to keep it efficient -- boil a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water to oust lime and calcium deposits, then rinse. For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming Events
• Through October 15 -- Gale Stockwell Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery (reception: September 26, 2-4 p.m.)
• September 16 -- Park Pirate Family Fun Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Parkville Campus
• September 17 -- Camp Pendleton MCB Campus Center Commencement, 2 p.m., Building 1330
• September 19 -- International Talk Like A Pirate Day
• September 22 -- Opening Convocation, Noon, Breckon Sports Center
• September 22 -- Ethnic Voices Poetry Series: Latino Writers Collective, 7 p.m., Herr House Lounge
• September 24 -- NSA Mid-South Millington Campus Center Commencement, 6:30 p.m., Mid-South Conference Center
• October 2 -- Admissions Saturday Campus Visits, 9 a.m. Parkville Campus
• October 2 -- Fort Leonard Wood Campus Center Commencement, 1 p.m., Baker Theater
• October 2 -- International Center for Music Concert Series: Martino Tirimo Piano Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• October 3 -- Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City Concert: A Russian Celebration, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• October 7 -- Xerox Global Business Lecture Series with Stephen Dubner, 7 p.m., Folly Theater (Kansas City, Mo.)
• October 7-8 -- Park Theatre: "Dearly Departed," 7:30 p.m., David Theater (Alumni Hall)
• October 9 -- Fall I classes end
• October 10-17 -- Fall Recess
• October 18 -- Fall II classes begin (KC area and campus centers around the country)
• October 18-November 24 -- Orkhan Miralayev and Parvana Shamkhalova Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery
• October 20 -- Ethnic Voices Poetry Series: Kazim Ali, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. reception), McCoy Meetin' House
• October 22 -- Fright Night, 6-9 p.m., Copley Quad
• October 22-24 -- Park Theatre: "Dearly Departed," 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-23, 2 p.m. Oct. 24, David Theater (Alumni Hall)
• October 24 -- International Center for Music Concert Series: Daniel Veis Recital, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• October 27 -- Meet, Eat and Greet Career Fair, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Breckon Sports Center (East Dome)
• October 29 -- Fête: Ioudenitch and Friends: International Center for Music Fundraising Concert, Folly Theater
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
