UNIVERSITY NEWS
U.S. House Majority Leader visits Park
U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) stopped by Park University's Downtown Kansas City Campus Center on Sept. 12. Hoyer praised the University for its dynamic Online program, which has grown from its debut class in 1996 to 52,000 enrollments currently.
Park representatives also shared information with Hoyer about the Center for Leadership in Public Affairs, which focuses on preparing students and others for leadership in an "unscripted future." Michael Droge, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Tom Peterman, Ph.D., vice president for distance learning, and Kay Barnes, Park Distinguished Professor for Public Leadership and former mayor of Kansas City, were among Park's representatives at the meeting.
Park instructor receives award
Eric Langhorst, an adjunct instructor of instructional technology at the Parkville Campus, was honored as the Missouri Teacher of the Year. Langhorst, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at South Valley Junior High School in Liberty, Mo., is known for incorporating technology into his teaching, including using podcasts and his web site, http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com.
Barnes wins award from the Central Exchange
The Central Exchange, a Kansas City organization that provides leadership development opportunities for women, selected Park Distinguished Professor for Public Leadership and former Mayor of Kansas City Kay Barnes as its 2007 Visionary of the Year award-winner. The award is given annually to a woman whose visionary leadership and courage has created lasting impact in the community, her company or her organization.
Barnes and other award winners will be honored at the 2007 Salute to Leadership at the Bloch Building on the campus of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Park enters into agreement with Fort Leavenworth
Park University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Command and General Staff College (CGSC) Foundation. The Foundation provides resources and support to the CGSC in the development of military leaders, as well as helping advance the military art and science profession through enhanced educational programs.
The agreement allows the exploration of opportunities between Park and the CGSC, including educational alliances with students who come to the CGSC for officer training, and graduate students from its ranks.
Park representatives discuss cultural exchange programs
A delegation from Park University traveled to Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian reservations for meetings with administration, staff and faculty at Sinte Gleska University and Oglala Lakota College in regard to possible cultural exchange programs.
Erik Bergrud, director of the International Center for Civic Engagement and special assistant to the president for university projects on civic engagement; Ann Schultis, associate professor and director of library services; Carol Getty, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice; and Diane Davis Reed, Park alumna, made the trip.
Sinte Gleska University representatives are planning to visit the Parkville Campus in October. During the 2008 Spring Break, it is hoped that interested faculty, staff and students will travel to Oglala Lakota College to continue discussions on possible collaborations.
Faith Club authors speak at Park
What happens when an Episcopalian woman tells a Jew she didn't want people to think she was Jewish? What about if a Jew questions a Muslim's claim that the Israeli government displaced his or her Palestinian ancestors? Or when a Muslim challenges a Jew for his or her unconditional support of the current Israeli state?
In today's contentious political climate, these confrontations incite world wars. But for three women, Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner, it was a chance to have a meeting and a cup of tea.
On Sept. 25, the trio visited Park University's Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel to discuss matters of faith, God and religion, as well as their book, The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-Three Women Search for Understanding.
These three women came together in the wake of 9/11 to write a children's book about the commonalities of their three religions. But Idliby, a Palestinian-born Muslim, Oliver, an ex-Catholic turned Episcopalian, and Warner, a Jew, quickly realized they would first have to discuss their differences before they could understand their similarities. They agreed to meet regularly and "The Faith Club" was born.
Art exhibit features work by former professor emeritus
"Campanellas in the Campanella: A Sampling of a Life in Art," an art exhibition featuring drawings and paintings by Vincent Campanella, continues through Nov. 2 in the Campanella Art Gallery at the Parkville Campus. Campanella, a former Park University professor emeritus of art, died in 2001. The Park exhibit coincides with the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art's Campanella exhibition, which continues through Nov. 3 in St. Joseph, Mo.
Bachman makes contributions to publications
Gary E. Bachman, associate professor and field director in the Department of Social Work, contributed a chapter to a new book, Days in the Lives of Gerontological Social Workers. The book describes first-person accounts of "typical" days in the social work profession and is presented as a tool to expand "content on aging" across the curriculum in both graduate and undergraduate social work education.
The chapter, "Firsts," includes a description of Bachman's experience as a recently graduated Master of Social Work working in an urban trauma center and his eye-opening lessons from working with a wonderfully pleasant, but profoundly demented woman who had been discovered wandering along a busy roadway.
In addition, Bachman was recently elected to the board of directors of the Kansas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. His term expires in July 2009.
Park trio has paper published
Three Park University faculty members were a part of a sextet of individuals who had a paper published in the June 2007 issue of the Journal of Global Management Research. Steve Hallman, D.B.A., assistant professor of information and computer science; Dr. Al Stahl, adjunct professor, CDL; and James Thorpe, 2006 Park graduate, authored "Current Endeavors and Future Ramifications of Global Positioning Systems."
The paper was written to help interested readers better understand the scope and nature of global positioning systems and key aspects of the satellite technology that it surrounds. The article also identified other system issues, current limitations and forthcoming challenges that may impact the system, as well as competitive systems being launched by other countries.
Great Decisions 2007 forums continue
The fifth in a series of eight "Great Decisions 2007" foreign policy forums, sponsored by the International Center for Civic Engagement (ICCE), was held on Sept. 26.
Greg Plumb, J.D., professor of criminal justice at Park University, was the featured speaker, discussing war crimes. Plumb explored the how the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has established a new venue for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, despite a lack of U.S. participation. He also examined if the non-participation by the U.S. is weakening the power of the ICC and the challenges the ICC faces in punishing war criminals.
For more information on upcoming Great Decisions forums, visit www.park.edu/icce/news.aspx.
Holt co-authors book on fraud
Charleston (S.C.) Air Force Base Adjunct Professor Carlos Holt had a book he recently co-authored published. In Fraud Casebook: Lessons from the Bad Side of Business, which features actual cases written by fraud examiners in the field, Holt wrote the chapter, "The Video Game."
Holt's case study is an analysis of an embezzlement scheme he investigated which resulted in the prosecution of the guilty party. He was praised for his contribution to this collection by Joseph Wells, founder and CEO of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Holt is certified in fraud examination, internal auditing and government auditing, and has more than 10 years experience investigating fraud-related cases.
String Extravaganza II to showcase Quartet Accorda, two guest artists
Park University's International Center for Music will host String Extravaganza II, featuring its resident Quartet Accorda and two international guest artists in a trio of recitals, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12, 13 and 14. Friday's and Saturday's programs will begin at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday's program begins at 3 p.m. All performances, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the Parkville Campus.
Friday's program will feature Brahms' String Sextet No. 1 in Bb, Op. 18. On Saturday, Mendelssohn's String Quartet, Op. 44, will be performed, while Sunday's program will feature Brahms' String Sextet No. 2 in G, Op. 36.
The performances will include guest artists Diemut Poppen, viola, and Daniel Veis, cello. Poppen is the director of the Chamber Music Summer Academy in Thüringen, Germany, and founder of the Osnabruck Chamber Music Series. Veis is a professor of cello and vice dean at the Academy of Performing Arts, Prague, Czech Republic. Park's resident Quartet Accorda includes Kanako Ito and Ben Sayevich, violins; Chung-Hoon Peter Chun, viola; and Martin Storey, cello.
In addition to the performances, the public is invited to observe master classes given by the guest musicians from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
For more information about Quartet Accorda and the concerts, including bios on the guest musicians, visit www.park.edu/icm/guestartists.shtml. For a schedule of other music performances, as well as art exhibits, theatre events and other presentations at Park, visit www.park.edu/ata.
Peacock Society discusses Unscripted Future Initiative
The Hauptmann School for Public Affairs (HSPA) alumni group, the Peacock Society, established a bimonthly luncheon series for the 2007-08 academic year. These sessions feature a short address by an HSPA faculty member and include a presentation to an outstanding alumna/alumnus in commemoration of the School's 25th anniversary.
Former Mayor of Kansas City and Park Distinguished Professor for Public Leadership Kay Barnes kicked off the luncheon series on August 21. The second in this year's series, on Sept. 13, featured Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D., dean and professor of public administration at the HSPA.
DiPadova-Stocks focused her discussion on "Lifelong Learning and the Unscripted Future." She described the "American script" of the 20th century and how U.S. graduate professional education is designed to prepare graduates to assume that script, including securing a permanent job in one sector, pension and affordable health insurance. She contrasted that with the current "unscripted future" which is preparing people to shape and lead.
For more information about the Peacock Society and to see a schedule of upcoming events, visit www.park.edu/icce/news.aspx or contact Erik Bergrud, director of Park's International Center for Civic Engagement and special assistant to the president for university projects on civic engagement, at erik.bergrud@park.edu or (816) 584-6412.
CETL announces "Faculty Spotlight" series
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) started a "Faculty Spotlight" series on its web page. September's honorees were Wen Hsin, Ph.D., associate professor of information and computer science, and Aaron DeWispeiare, Ph.D., adjunct professor of information and computer science, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.
Tour of Missouri races past Parkville Campus
The Tour of Missouri cycling race zipped past the Park University Parkville Campus on Sept. 11 as the Kansas City area hosted the event's opening leg. The five-day, 562-mile race concluded in St. Louis on Sept. 15 with George Hincapie of the U.S. taking the gold medal. In addition to Hincapie, the event featured a number of the world's best international cyclists, including 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain, and American Levi Leipheimer.
Gonzales elected vice president of organization
Roxanne Gonzales, Ph.D., associate dean for the College of Distance Learning, was elected vice president of the Association for Continuing Higher Education.
ACHE is an institution-based international organization of colleges, universities and individuals dedicated to the promotion of lifelong learning and excellence in continuing higher education. It also encourages professional networks, research and exchange of information for its members, and advocates continuing higher education as a means of enhancing and improving society.
IN THE NEWS
Park hosts successful "Talk Like a Pirate Day" event
Students, faculty and staff throughout Park University's 43 Campus Centers celebrated "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" on Sept. 19. At the Parkville Campus, WDAF-TV (Fox-4) meteorologist Don Harman got in on the fun, dressing as a pirate while doing his weather broadcasts from the entrance to the McAfee Library.
Trustee appears on KCPT program
Benny Lee, a Park University trustee and chairman/CEO of Top Innovations, Inc., appeared on the KCPT program "One on One with Victor Hogstrom" on Aug. 24. The 30-minute program, hosted by KCPT's president and CEO, features some of Kansas City's most intriguing personalities and community leaders.
Through Lee's leadership, his company has recently expanded its line of fabric steamers and steam cleaners. Top Innovations has also been recognized by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as one of its "Top 10 Small Businesses of the Year."
Park featured in Kansas City Star
Park University graduate Igor Glisic was featured in the Kansas City Star's "CareerBuilder" section of "How I Got the Job" on Sept. 9. Glisic works for Black & Veatch as an international tax analyst.
Bachman writes op-ed article
Gary E. Bachman, associate professor and field director in the Department of Social Work, was featured in an op-ed piece in the Kansas City Star on Aug. 10. Bachman wrote an "As I See It" column on health insurance for children.
Art exhibit highlighted in magazine
Park's "Campanellas in the Campanella: A Sampling of a Life in Art" exhibition, which continues through Nov. 2 in the Campanella Art Gallery on the Parkville Campus, as well as the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art's Campanella exhibit, which runs through Nov. 3 in St. Joseph, Mo., were featured in a recent article in American Art Review magazine.
ATHLETICS
Park soccer teams support breast cancer awareness
Ticket sales from Park University's men's and women's soccer games against William Jewell on Sept. 12 were donated to benefit breast cancer awareness.
The men's game featured a battle of teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25. Park, ranked 20th at the time, knocked off then top-ranked William Jewell, 3-2.
For more information on Park University athletics, visit www.parkathletics.com.
Women's cross country team wins opening meet
Maria Tutu's second place finish led the then No. 21-ranked Park University women's cross country team to a first-place finish at the 2007 Baker University Invitational on Sept. 1 in Baldwin City, Kan. The Pirates had five runners finish in the top 10 for the victory.
Men's soccer team defeats two ranked opponents
In the first month of the season, Park's men's soccer team defeated two opponents ranked in the NAIA top 20, including then top-ranked William Jewell on Sept. 12, 3-2. The Pirates also topped Grand View (Iowa), 3-0, on Sept. 29.
ALUMNI NEWS
Keep in touch through Park's alumni web site
Graduates of Park University programs are automatically members of the Alumni Association. Alumni are encouraged to participate in the many programs and committees that are available to Alumni Association members.
To get involved with the Alumni Association, see a list of alumni events in your area, find out how to make a donation to the University or read the most recent issue of Alumniad magazine, visit the Alumni Association's web site, www.parkalumni.org.
