NEWS RELEASE
Park University students, faculty and staff were recognized for their exceptional scholarly efforts from the 2011-12 school year at the University's annual Honors Convocation on April 18. The event was held in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the University's Parkville Campus. In addition to a number of departmental academic honors, the University acknowledged outstanding students and faculty with a variety of special awards.
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| Emma Hart and Tomi Lazarov |
The most prestigious honor bestowed on any student at Park University -- the Outstanding Parkite Award -- went to seniors Emma Hart, psychology major, and Tomi Lazarov, biology major. The Outstanding Parkite Award is given to one senior female and one senior male student on the University's Parkville Campus who best exemplify the ideals of the University in their character, conduct, scholarship and student activity participation. The awards are endowed by Dr. Elliot F. Parker in memory of his parents, Albert George and Jessie Bewley Parker.
Hart, from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England (attended Southend High School for Girls), has excelled in the classroom with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average and has contributed a great deal to the student experience on the Parkville Campus. As a resident assistant, Hart has assisted countless new and returning students in adjusting to college life, and as a work-study in Park's Office of Admissions, she has recruited hundreds of students to Park, helping them see how Park is a good fit for them. In addition, Hart's dedication to Park includes her leadership with the Painted Pirates, where she has helped bring energy and excitement at numerous athletic events. A Park University Presidential Scholar, Hart has also been a member of the Residence Hall Council and Park Service Organization, and she was a member of the women's basketball team her freshman and sophomore years. In addition, she was recognized with a Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Award in 2010, and earned Department of Psychology honors as a junior and senior.
Lazarov, from Kocani, Macedonia (attended LaSalle-Peru Christian School, LaSalle, Ill.), has also excelled in the classroom, earning a 3.97 cumulative grade point average. Lazarov has worked tirelessly to improve the student experience on the Parkville Campus. He has been a resident assistant and freshman year experience mentor, helping support groups of new students with a positive start to their Park experience. He has been an active member and officer in a number of student organizations, including Park's Model United Nations team and he has served as vice president for the Biology Club, as well as the Park Student Government Association. A Dr. Doris Howell Leadership awardee, Lazarov also received the C.W. Bailey Award in 2009, and this year, he won the Burton W. Scheib Pre-Medical Prize. In addition, this spring, he served on the University's Strategic Planning Commission in its final stage, providing insight into life at Park as a traditional, international, residential student.
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| Dr. Andrew Johnson and Dr. Michael Droge |
The University also recognized its outstanding faculty with the presentation of the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award to Andrew Johnson, Ph.D., professor of psychology. Johnson, of Kearney, Mo., is a scholar who exemplifies the spirit of collaborative inquiry for topics that are remarkably adapted to an institution such as Park. Johnson's scholarship is driven by theoretical and pedagogical interests, and he has established a highly collaborative pattern of conducting research about teaching and learning. Most specifically, Johnson’s research on students’ estimations of exam scores has changed his testing format and significantly improved student performance on multiple-choice exams. Additionally, his research and implementation of SAGrader, a neutral-network system that scores essay questions, into his courses has revealed average gains of 40 percent in performance with collateral improvements in writing skills. During his 15 years at Park, Johnson has received numerous Park honors, including the Louisa Davidson Hinde/Carolyn Hinde Zarkaryan Memorial Award in 2004; the J.L. Zwingle Award in 2002; and the Excellence in Advising Award twice, in 2009 and 2011. He has also received the Missouri Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004 and the Frank Costin Memorial Award for Excellence in 2006. In addition, he served as president of Park University's Faculty Senate from 2009 to 2011.
Manuchair Ebadi, Ph.D., a 1960 Park graduate, established this award in honor of Delta W. Gier, Ph.D., former chair of the Department of Chemistry who served Park from 1948 to 1990. The award pays tribute to a faculty member who shows evidence of commitment to high standards of excellence in the area of scholarship: teaching, discovery, integration and/or service. The recipient also shows effective and innovative connections between teaching and research, especially by undergraduate student
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| Sharon Stark and Trey Crawford |
involvement and participation.
Additional Presidential Awards presented by Park University President Michael Droge, Ph.D.:
Seniors Trey Crawford, secondary education/mathematics major from Edgerton, Mo. (attended Smithville [Mo.] High School), and Sharon Stark, communication arts/public relations major from Platte City, Mo. (attended Platte County High School), received the Louisa Davidson Hinde/Carolyn Hinde Zarkaryan Memorial Award. This award is given to the two students who best represent the spirit of Park University by promoting in others that quality of excellence that has always been associated with a Park education.
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| William Roeder |
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| Nancy Hake and Dr. Droge |
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| Dr. Rebekkah Stuteville and Dr. Droge |
A trio of awards were given to recognize the full-time, face-to-face adjunct and online adjunct faculty members who exemplify excellence in teaching, as nominated by peers, students and staff. Rebekkah Stuteville, Ph.D., assistant professor of public administration and director of the Master of Public Affairs program, a resident of Parkville, Mo., received the President's Award for Teaching Excellence (full-time); Nancy Hake, adjunct instructor of Spanish, a resident of Blue Springs, Mo., received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence (face-to-face adjunct); and William Roeder, adjunct instructor of management, from Mountain Home, Idaho, received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence (online adjunct).
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| Gary Bachman and Gail Hennessy |
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| Dr. James Pasley and Dr. Droge |
James Pasley, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, a resident of Kansas City, Mo., received the Excellence in Academic Advising Award. This award is given to recognize faculty who have achieved excellence in providing Park University students academic advising and mentoring. The award is intended to recognize outstanding contributions in helping students define and achieve their academic goals.
Gary Bachman, associate professor of social work and director of field practicum, a resident of Overland Park, Kan., and Gail Hennessy, associate professor of education, and program coordinator for elementary and secondary education, a resident of Kansas City, Mo., both received the J.L. Zwingle Award. This award pays tribute to outstanding faculty members as voted by the student body.
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Below is a list of other awards presented during the Honors Convocation:
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
To qualify, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or above, and be a full-time, degree-seeking student with 30 or more Park University hours.
Biljana Andonovski, Elizabeth Beatty, Kyla Benjamin, Maria Blythe, Binderiya Boroldoi, Madalyn Buchanan, Nadejda Bucsan, David Cable, Brooke Clubine, Janae Cooper, Joseph Cowley, Cody Croan, Kelli Cross, Katelyn Davies, Samantha Dickey, Sarah Dietz, Rachel Dryden, Andria Enns, Jacob Fare, Yuya Feng, Juliana Fisher, Rodney Foster, Reisha Fregoe, Caleb Geno, Shoaib Ghafoor, John Giordano, Andrew Hall, Ashley Hanf;
Samuel Hansen, Brady Hanssen, Randi Hardy, Emma Hart, Liu He, Stephanie Healy, Nichole Hemmingsen, Angelica Hodgdon, Daniela Irwin, Ellen Jacobson, Elizabeth Jarski, Bruce Jenkins, Mallory Jobst, Erich Kessler, Justin Kight, Derek Kilgore, James Kinney, Vincent Langkamp, Vanessa Lawrenz, Reed Liberty, Eric Liles, Cong Luo, Duong Ly, Joseph Malone, Cortney Manning, Wesley McCully, Joshua McLaughlin, Lauren Montgomery;
Helga Namale, Kristen Norgard, Amanda Otis, Jessica Peters, Monique Phelps, Angela Phillips, Mary Porter, Rebekah Purvis, Mindy Reynolds, Kristy Robinson, Christopher Rodriguez, Matthew Rogers, Nathaniel Roten, Nirendra Shakya, Olessya Solovev, Breonna Thomas, Michael Tounzen, Carolyn Tragasz, Ruud Van Houtum, Frances Venable, Megan Walker, Jordan Wandfluh, Scot Warkentien, Taylor Whipple, Dana Wiggans, Nicole Wilson, Elizabeth Wright, Umbrek Yakubov; Tiffany Yavicoli.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS
Alpha Chi Membership
Alpha Chi is a national college honor society. Its purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students, and to honor those who achieve such distinction. The following students are nominated for induction into Alpha Chi and Park's chapter of the society, Missouri Theta:
David Abeyta, Amber Ables, Amy Clark, Jennifer Cordell, Rachel Correl, Cody Croan, Chris Dameron, Kristin Daulton, Mason Denk, Sarah Dietz, Joel Driskell, Nikol Fayzieva, Rodney Foster, Shelley Jackson, Justin Kight, Tomi Lazarov, Tempest Linn, Brooke Miles, Ronda O'Brien, Angela Phillips, Mary Porter, Brittanie Propes, Rebekah Purvis, Zhilwan Rahim, Megan Shepherd, Wendy Stapleton, Dylan Taggart, Breonna Thomas, Jillian Torres, Michelle Travers, Brooke Van Lear, Jordan Wandfluh, Madison Williamson
John R. Sanders Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship is named in memory of Dr. John Sanders, former dean of undergraduate studies and associate professor of chemistry at Park University, known as a dedicated scholar and friend to students.
Frances Venable
Study Abroad Outstanding Graduates
This honor is reserved for those students who added an exceptional international facet to their undergraduate experience by studying abroad. These students stepped outside their comfortable routines to experience the culture and people of another country. In doing so, they forever changed their lives and the lives of those they met abroad.
Jesse Caylor (Czech Republic); Johnathon Renner (Japan)
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
SCHOOL FOR ARTS AND HUMANITIES
ENGLISH AWARDS
Mary Barlow Writing Award for Outstanding Student Writing
Sonya White
Nicholas Manchion Endowed English Scholarship Award
Janek Sunga
William B. Markward Award in Early Modern, Language, Literature and Culture
Angelica Hodgdon
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta is an international English honor society. Its purpose is to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies. The Park University chapter of Sigma Tau Delta was chartered in 1998. The following students have achieved the requirements for membership and are invited into the company of those dedicated to promoting interest in literature and the English language.
Kristin Carney, Rachel Correll, Sarah Foster, Brady Hanssen, Stephanie Healy, Jasey Huber, Matthew Mitchell, Paul Pursell, Caleb Roye, Scott Warkentien, Sonya White
DEPARTMENT HONORS
Broadcasting/Journalism/Photojournalism
Andria Enns, senior; Jessica Peters, junior
English
Cody Croan, senior; Scott Warkentien, junior
Fine Art
Valerie Jahraus, senior; Elisha Bailey, junior
Graphic Design
Eric Liles, senior; Lindsey McDonald, junior
Interior Design
Julie Knapp, senior; Eva Rasmussen, junior
Liberal Studies
Amanda Otis, senior
Modern Language
Dylan Taggart, senior; Rachael King, junior
Organizational Communication
Wendy McCormick, senior
Public Relations
Katie Martino, junior
SCHOOL FOR NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
Burton W. Scheib Pre-Medical Prize
This award is given to a student majoring in science -- preferably pre-medical -- for excellent work in this field.
Tomi Lazarov
CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award
This award is presented in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement in chemistry during a student's freshman year at Park. The award includes a chemistry and physics handbook from the publisher.
Willie Washington
Dr. William C. Pivonka Award
Inaugurated by the Class of 1988, the award is given annually in recognition of the dedication that Dr. William Pivonka showed in teaching at Park University. It is given to an upperclassman who best represents the ideals of a chemistry major at Park University.
Frances Venable
The American Institute of Chemists
Award honors the outstanding senior in the field of chemistry.
Chalet Williams
Harold G. McDaniel Award
This award is presented in memory of Harold McDaniel, '58, professor of mathematics from 1961-78. It is given to honor outstanding students majoring in mathematics or natural science.
Kristy Biermann, senior; Janel Manns, junior
J. Malcolm Good Award
Award is presented for the best paper in mathematics.
Abed Awuah-Gyawu
Professor L.A. Robbins Memorial Award
This award is given to a student who has distinguished himself/herself in the natural sciences and in athletics.
Kristin Beck, senior
Outstanding Association for Computing Machinery Service Award
This award is co-sponsored by the ACM Club and the Information and Computer Science Department.
Anna Luo, senior
DEPARTMENT HONORS
Athletic Training
Megan Shepherd, senior
Biology
Miki Katuwal, senior
Chemistry
Ryan Fawks, senior
Geography
Lucas Youngblood, senior
Information Computer Science
Nirendra Shakya, junior
Mathematics
Reisha Fregoe, junior
SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES
Phi Alpha Honor Society
Phi Alpha is the national honor socity in social work. The Park University chapter, Phi Alpha Rho Epsilon, was established in 2010. The mission is to promote scholarly pursuits in the advancement of humanitarian goals and ideals, with a motto of "Through knowledge -- the challenge to serve."
Cynthia Blair, Tara Bledsoe, Amy Jo Clark, Dawn Cook, Rachel Edmonds, Sandra Flores, Rhonda Fue, Theresa Meloy, Andrea Mitchell, Patricia Nimmo, Melissa Whitmore
Psi Chi
Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. Its purpose is to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in the scholarship of its member in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology. The Park University chapter of Psi Chi was chartered in 1996. The following students are welcomed to Psi Chi's fellowship of common interest, mutual assistance and high endeavor.
Hannah Alpers, Rebekah Purvis, Taylor Whipple, Brittany Wolf
DEPARTMENT HONORS
Criminal Justice
Lauren Montgomery, senior; Cordell Eby, junior
History
Amber Ables, senior
Legal Studies
Kyle Hamilton, senior; Melanie Brewer, junior
Political Science
Amber Jarrett, senior; David Abeyta, junior
Psychology
Emma Hart, senior; Rebekah Purvis, junior
Social Psychology
Angela Phillips, senior
Social Work
Cynthia Blair, senior; Melanie Jones, junior
Sociology
Jeremy Brimer, senior
SCHOOL FOR EDUCATION
DOROTHY WATSON LITERACY AWARDS
These awards are presented in the name of Dorothy Harper Watson, Ph.D., to undergraduate students showing exceptional promise in the field of literacy education.
Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties
Danielle Thurston
Literacy for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers
Ellen Jacobson
Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood
Katie Davis
OUTSTANDING STUDENT TEACHER AWARDS
These awards are given to students whose performances as a student-teacher during current academic year have been outstanding.
Early Childhood Level
Halima Ramsey
Elementary Level
Danielle Thurston
Middle School Level
Diana Blakely
Secondary Level
Rodney Foster
EDUCATION HONORS
Ellen Jacobson, senior; Hayley Knappen, junior
Student Teaching Fellowship
The Student Teaching Fellowship was established by C. Ann Wentz, Ph.D., former associate professor of education, and R. David Wentz, to help support education students while they are student teaching so that some of the financial burden and worry could be eliminated and the recipient could focus on getting the most out of the student teaching experience.
Danielle Lee
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Park University Business Faculty Award
This award is given to the student(s) who demonstrated exceptional leadership in the classroom and exceptional potential in the field of business.
Vincent Langkamp
Financial Executives Institute Awards
This award is given to an outstanding graduate of Park University in the field of finance for the current academic year.
John Abney Jr.
DEPARTMENT HONORS
Accounting
John Giordano, senior; Helga Namale, junior
Economics
Martine Roberts, senior; David Cable, junior
Finance
Mary Porter, senior; Suvd Oyun-Erdene, junior
Human Resources
April Harris, senior
International Business
Joel Driskell, senior; Edna Martinson, junior
Management
Nadejda Bucsan, senior; Umbrek Yakubov, junior
Marketing
Vincent Langkamp, senior; Richa Rizal, junior
