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| Jinny McCoy, Park University Board of Trustees honorary member, left, and Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Park University president. |
Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., Park University president, was honored by the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City during its "Celebration of Women" event on May 12. Brenda Wisniewski, chair of Park's Board of Trustees, and Jinny McCoy, honorary trustee, nominated Byers-Pevitts for the honor.
The nomination letter said the following:
Since becoming president of Park University in 2001, Beverley Byers-Pevitts has led the University to unprecedented growth. The University's endowment has doubled and student enrollment has increased 51 percent over the last seven years. Park's 26,402 scholars are located on 43 campuses in 21 states and Online worldwide.
The dynamic enthusiasm she has brought to Park can be viewed through the visions she has set into motion -- most notably renewed academic excellence, strengthened student services and the fostering of a culture that embraces global education.
Byers-Pevitts serves as a strong advocate of education for U.S. military personnel and their families. Under her guidance, Park has added six campus centers at military installations, bringing Park's academic presence to 38 armed forces locations. In addition, the University continues to launch cutting-edge graduate programs and civic engagement opportunities under Byers-Pevitts' leadership.
As one who demonstrates leadership by example, Byers-Pevitts is actively involved with numerous community organizations, including boards for the Liberty Memorial, the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College, the Downtown Council of Kansas City, NAIA Council of Presidents, Platte County (Mo.) Economic Development Council, Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Colleges Fun, American Council on Education's Office of Women in Higher Education and the International Business of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce World Trade Center.
Park University's distinguished success is best exemplified in a recent comment by Byers-Pevitts: "The world is changing. Higher education is changing. Park University is ready."
The Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City has helped improve the lives of more than 20,000 women and girls in the Kansas City area through grants totaling $1.5 million to various agencies for research, communication and education.
