IN THIS ISSUE
Youngblood earns Department of State recognition
Dewberry appointed director for residence life
University elects Board of Trustees members
Park featured on El Paso TV show
Enns awarded scholarship from advertising foundation
Vestal appointed to AAUW Missouri board
Park students participate in national Rotary conference
Cafeteria to resume regular hours Aug. 20
Park In The News--Donna Howell, Kelly and Tammy Rundle, Chadwick Shreeves, Ethnic Voices Poetry Series
Green tip of the day
Upcoming events
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| Steven Youngblood |
Youngblood earns Department of State recognition
The U.S. Department of State's Alumni Affairs Panel has selected Steven Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts at Park University, as its State Alumni Member of the Month for August. Youngblood was recognized for his dedication to the pursuit of a more peaceful world through international education and journalism. "The previous monthly winners are truly outstanding," Youngblood said. "It's humbling, indeed, to be included in such an active, engaged group of leaders." Park, with the help of Youngblood's leadership as director, launched the Center for Global Peace Journalism earlier this year to promote peace and encourage responsible, non-inflammatory reporting. Each month, the Bureau's Alumni Affairs Division, which supports alumni as they build on their exchange experiences, recognizes one outstanding alumnus or alumna.
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| Benjamin Dewberry |
Dewberry appointed director for residence life
Park University has announced the appointment of Benjamin Dewberry as director for residence life within the Office of Student Life. Dewberry, who began his duties Aug. 1, joins Park after serving as the residence life coordinator at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge since 2011. Prior to that, he worked as an area hall director and adjunct instructor for North Central College in Naperville, Ill., for two years. "I am excited about the experience and skills that Benjamin will bring to the team," said Jayme Uden, assistant dean of student life. "With his commitment to global inclusivity and his passion for creating a strong living-learning environment for all residential students, I am confident that Benjamin will advance the strategic priorities of Park University." Dewberry's position includes managing the budget and facilities of Park's Parkville Campus residence halls, which house about 320 students. He also supervises the residence life coordinator and two graduate staff members and indirectly supervises 13 resident assistants. For more on Dewberry, visit http://news.park.edu/pub/news_002189.shtml.
University elects Board of Trustees members
Park University recently elected several new members to its Board of Trustees. New board members are: Michael M. Collins, '04; Mark S. Foster, J.D.; Wilford "Pete" Kale Jr., '71; Scott McRuer; Joseph Melookaran; Charif Hamidi, '11; and Raymond Mott, '11. In addition to the new trustees, the Board re-elected Peter deSilva and Judith Simonitsch to second terms. For profiles of the new Board members, visit http://news.park.edu/pub/news_002187.shtml.
The Board of Trustees also approved the following:
--- Park University Strategic Plan
--- Seeking professional accreditation for the Master of Public Affairs degree program
--- Seeking professional accreditation for the Master of Healthcare Leadership program
--- Proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012-13
--- Faculty promotions: Amber Dailey-Hebert, Ph.D., from associate professor of education to professor of education; and James Taulman, Ph.D., from assistant professor of biology to associate professor of biology
Park featured on El Paso TV show
Park University President Michael Droge, Ph.D., and Scott Graves, executive director of Park's Fort Bliss (Texas) Campus Center, were featured on the "Career Connections" show on KCOS-TV in El Paso, Texas, on July 27. During the 30-minute interview, Droge and Graves shared the importance of earning a higher education degree and discussed Park's 37-year history of being an educational leader in the El Paso community. Although Park is located on Fort Bliss and serves U.S. Army soldiers, the general public is welcome to attend classes, allowing Park to have a large footprint in El Paso area. The community is currently 7,000 alumni, students, faculty and staff strong. To watch the interview on Park's YouTube channel, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=y802v9ilTAY.
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| Andria Enns |
Enns awarded scholarship from advertising foundation
Andria Enns, a Park University senior communication arts/public relations and communication arts/broadcasting major, has been selected as one of the recipients of the American Advertising Federation of Kansas City Foundation scholarship. The award includes $2,000, a membership to the club and a mentorship with a professional in advertising. The AAF-KC Found awards annual scholarships to college students who show a passion in advertising, marketing and graphic arts studies.
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| Linda Vestal |
Vestal appointed to AAUW Missouri board
Linda Vestal, director of university mail services, has been appointed to a two-year term on the American Association of University Women Missouri board as co-chair of college and university relations. Vestal will visit and work closely with faculty, staff and student leaders of AAUW college and university partner members to support and assist them in AAUW-related activities and student affiliate campus groups. In addition, she will assist in the establishment of an AAUW presence on 14 non-member institutions.
Park students participate in national Rotary conference
Two officers in Park University's Rotaract Club attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference in Washington, D.C., in July. Solo Zinnah, senior political science/international politics major and 2011-12 club president, and Andrea Fulsom, junior criminal justice administration/law enforcement major and 2012-13 club vice president, attended leadership workshops and met with U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, who represents Missouri's 6th Congressional District. The RYLA Conference is an intense leadership training program designed to recognize, encourage and further develop the leadership skills of 18- to 30-year-olds who have shown a potential for rendering important service to their local communities. Park's Rotaract Club is sponsored by the Parkville, Mo., and Gladstone, Mo., Rotary Clubs.
Cafeteria to resume regular hours Aug. 20
The cafeteria on the second floor of Thompson Commons on the Parkville Campus will be open each day for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and dinner (4:30 to 6 p.m.) on Friday, Aug. 10, through Sunday, Aug. 19. Starting Monday, Aug. 20, it will resume regular hours and be open for continental breakfast at 7 a.m., followed by hot breakfast (8 to 10 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and dinner (4:30 to 7 p.m.). Through Friday, Aug. 17, the Pirate Grounds coffee shop, located on the first floor of Thompson, will maintain its summer hours of 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Beginning on Aug. 20, it will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition, the University's two Smart Market locations will open on Aug. 20. The Smart Market in the Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the location at the Copley Quad residence hall will be open 8 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
University students, faculty and staff are reminded that you can place money on your Park ID cards to purchase items in the cafeteria, Pirate Grounds and Smart Market, and receive a 10 percent discount on your purchase. Money can be transferred to ID cards by visiting the Student Assistance Center in Norrington Center or by phone at (816) 584-6800. For more information about these dining areas, as well as view a weekly menu for the cafeteria, visit www.parkdining.com. Questions about the hours, locations or menu can be referred to Kathleen Robey, general manager of Park's Sodexo Campus Services, at kathleen.robey@park.edu or (816) 584-6395.
Park In The News
Donna Howell, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, was interviewed for a story that appeared on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on July 28. Howell provided comments and conducted a test for a story about the "salt and ice challenge," a dangerous game that has been gaining popularity among kids/teens where they put salt on their hands/arms, then put ice on it and leave it for as long as they can -- which ends up giving them severe burns and/or frostbite.
Kelly and Tammy Rundle, who are Park University graduates (1986 and 1988, respectively), were nominated for a Regional Emmy award in the historical documentary category by the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The Rundles were nominated for their film, "Country School: One Room, One Nation."
Chadwick Shreeves, a junior communication arts/broadcasting major, was featured in the August issue of the Kansas City area's Northland Lifestyle magazine (page 30). Shreeves story was about social networking for social change.
Park University's Ethnic Voices Poetry Series was mentioned in the August issue of the Missouri Arts Council's Art Starts Here newsletter in relation to grants the MAC awards to organizations and programs such as Park's EVPS.
Green tip of the day
It's back-to-school time, which means store aisles are stocked with supplies. These tips will help you find the greenest products and buy only what you really need.
--- Save paper -- Some schools are already going paperless, but if yours hasn't jumped on board, look for paper products with the highest recycled content available. To offset your paper use even further, print double-sided.
--- Pack a smart lunch -- When packing lunch for your student, you can reduce waste by avoiding pre-packaged snacks, and by pairing your reusable, BPA-free water bottle with food containers made from recycled yogurt cups. To show off your creative side, turn old scraps into a do-it-yourself lunch bag.
--- Choose second-chance backpacks -- If your old backpack still holds, stick with it. But if you must buy a new bag, opt for one with recycled components. Some are constructed with reclaimed billboard vinyl or recycled water bottles. If you know your way around a sewing machine, you can make your own backpack out of an old blazer.
For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming events
--- Through August 31 -- Nancy Marshall Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery
--- Through November 30 -- Political Memorabilia Exhibit, McAfee Memorial Library
--- August 5 -- Julymester ends (Kansas City area)
--- August 9-10 -- New Faculty Orientation, Parkville Campus
--- August 10-12 -- Park Distance Learning Academic Directors Conference, Parkville Campus
--- August 13-14 -- Fall Faculty Conference, Parkville Campus
--- August 17 -- Parkville Campus Residence Halls open
--- August 17-18 -- Parkville Campus New Student Orientation
--- August 20 -- Fall Semester/Fall I begins (Kansas City area and campus centers across the country)
--- August 24 -- Opening Convocation, noon, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
--- August 24 -- President's Welcome Picnic for Students, 1 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel Lawn
--- August 27-28 -- Park University Fall Theatre Production Auditions (William Inge's "Picnic"), 5:30-8 p.m., David Theater
--- August 31 -- Student Activities Fair, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
--- September 3 -- Labor Day (Kansas City area offices closed; no Parkville Daytime classes; Fall I classes will be held)
--- September 4-October 31 -- Eugenia Ortiz Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery
--- September 7 -- Camp Pendleton (Calif.) Marine Corps Base Campus Center Commencement, 2 p.m., Base Theater
--- September 8 -- Fort Myer (Va.), Henderson Hall Headquarters Battalion (Va.) and Quantico Marine Corps Combat Development Command (Va.) Campus Centers Commencement, 10 a.m., Command Auditorium, Quantico
--- September 12 -- Study Abroad Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground
--- September 12 -- Constitution Day/Citizenship Day Lecture: Dr. Stanley Katz, 7 p.m., McCoy Meetin' House
--- September 14 -- Fairchild Air Force Base (Wash.) Campus Center Commencement, 1 p.m., Base Education Center
--- September 17-21 -- Park Distance Learning Campus Center Directors Conference, Parkville Campus
--- September 19 -- International Talk Like A Pirate Day
--- September 21 -- Faculty/Staff Longevity Awards, 1 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
--- September 27-30 -- Alumni Weekend 2012, Parkville Campus
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
