UNIVERSITY NEWS
Getty awarded Fulbright; will teach in Ukraine
Carol Getty, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice, was recently awarded a Fulbright to teach the fall 2008 semester in Ukraine. She is the fourth Park University faculty member to receive a Fulbright since 2001. Read more about Getty's Fulbright opportunity at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_00861.shtml.
Park's Model UN team wins awards at national conference
Park University's Model United Nations team captured two prestigious awards at the annual National Model United Nations conference, April 17-21 in New York City. Park student representatives Simona Cibotaru and Salam Lazkani won the Outstanding Delegation Award for their representation of Peru in the Security Council, duplicating their feat of winning the same award at a Model UN conference in November 2007 in Chicago. Read more at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_00848.shtml.
Hill AFB Campus Center receives award
The Park University Campus Center at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah, recently received an award from the base. Kevin Beckwith, Campus Center director, accepted the Commander's Coin on behalf of the Campus Center from Lt. Col Frederick Thaden, 75th Air Base Wing commander. The coin was presented to Beckwith in recognition of Park University's support to the education community at Hill AFB.
Pirate Club makes first gift to Park athletic department
At its meeting in May, the Pirate Club provided the organization's first gift to the University's athletic department -- $10,000 -- to support a trio of initiatives: $5,000 toward a scholarship fund, $3,000 toward softball field dugouts and $2,000 toward an academic support center.
Annual membership rates run from $25 ($15 for current students) to $1,000, and lifetime memberships are also available. For more information on the Pirate Club, contact the Office of University Advancement at (816) 584-6200 or advancement@park.edu, or visit www.parkathletics.com/news/dept/pirateclub.shtml.
President Byers-Pevitts honored by Kansas City organization
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. Read the nomination letter at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_00862.shtml.
Davis-Monthan student wins Air Force chess tournament
Park University student Tech. Sgt. Robert Keough, from the 563rd Operations Support Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. won the annual 2008 Air Force Chess Tournament at DMAFB on May 9. Keough, a junior pursing a bachelor's degree in management at the Davis-Monthan Campus Center, competed against 13 other active duty Air Force members from around the globe. Keough now advances to compete in an inter-service tournament held in June.
Copley Quad construction continues on schedule, under budget
Work is progressing at a brisk pace on the Copley Quad student housing project with many of the visual changes now occurring on the interior of both buildings, In just two months, on Aug. 14, students will move into this new $18 million residence hall. Photographs of the construction progress, which are updated regularly, can be viewed at www.park.edu/copleyquad.
Park University library receives conservation bookshelf
Treasured objects and artifacts held by the Park University McAfee Memorial Library will be preserved for future generations with help from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. This core set of conservation books, DVDs and Online resources was donated by the IMLS, the primary source of federal funding of the nation's museums and libraries. Read more about the IMLS Bookshelf at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_00837.shtml.
Sodexho campaign reduces Park's carbon footprint
On Earth Day, April 22, Sodexho Campus Services on the Parkville Campus held a "PB & J" campaign in which 177 people helped reduce Park University's carbon footprint by 442.5 pounds of carbon dioxide over an average meat lunch. Sodexho collected canned goods for a "stop the hunger" campaign. Volunteers were auctioned off -- not for money -- but in cans of food. The event proved to be a success with 1,680 cans donated in less than one hour. The cans were given to Kansas City area shelters.
Park University team raises funds for KC AIDS Walk
On April 26, more than 50 Park University students, faculty and staff participated in the 20th annual AIDS Walk Kansas City at Theis Park near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The Park team raised more than $3,500.
Park's Alpha Phi Omega chapter hosted hunger banquet
The Park University chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, held a hunger banquet on April 29. More than 60 faculty, staff and students participated, with each person served a specific type of food and quantity, based upon world percentages in an effort to raise awareness and understanding of hunger and poverty worldwide. The event raised more than $1,000 for CARE USA.
ALUMNI NEWS
Kitchens appointed chief of police in Leavenworth, Kan.
Pat Kitchens, '94, was recently appointed chief of police in Leavenworth, Kan. Read the article at www.leavenworthtimes.com/articles/2008/05/03/news/news01.prt.11.
Alumni Weekend set for June 19-22
Plans for Park University's Alumni Weekend 2008, scheduled for June 19-22, are set, and all Park University alumni are invited to attend. For complete information, including a schedule of events, visit http://www.parkalumni.org/s/126/index.aspx?sid=126&gid=1&pgid=396&cid=913&ecid=913&crid=0&calpgid=1&calcid=787.
Alumni trip to Austria and Switzerland scheduled
The Park University Alumni Association has scheduled a trip to Austria and Switzerland, Sept. 26 through Oct. 4. For more information, visit www.gonext.com/park/swissalpsf08.html. To request a trip brochure, send an e-mail to alumnioffice@park.edu.
ATHLETICS
Women's golf team competes in first national championship tourney
Park University's women’s golf team earned its first-ever trip to the NAIA national championship tournament, placing 21st. The Pirates advanced to the national meet by winning the Region IV crown. The squad also won the MCAC title for the second straight year. Ashley Nicks was selected MCAC player of the year while head coach Kelly DeFeo was named conference coach of the year. For more news and information about the golf team's season, visit www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_62.shtml.
Track athletes place at national championships
At the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Keyon Harrison and Erycka Fisher earned a trio of top-eight finishes between them. Harrison came in seventh in the 400-meter run and was eighth in the long jump, while Fisher brought home a seventh place finish in the 400-meter hurdles. In addition, Sarah Hopkins, Max Schuman and Luke Wolkers were named to the Daktronics Academic All-America list. Visit www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_50.shtml for more news and information on Park's track and field season.
Baseball team advanced to regional finals
Park University's baseball team closed out the 2008 season one win shy of tying a school record for victories, losing to Bellevue in the NAIA Region IV championship. The Pirates did have three players, Ryan Fawks, Josh Hake and Chris Luera earn all-region honors, while Jacob Moore, Bo Prather and Jake Russell were named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Visit www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_44.shtml for more news and information on the baseball team's season.
Softball season ends in Region IV championship
Park's softball team fell to top-seeded Friends University in the Region IV tournament final to end its season. It was the Pirates first-ever appearance in the Region IV tournament in a season that was marked by another first -- MCAC regular-season champions. Visit www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_69.shtml for more news and information on the softball team's season.
IN THE NEWS
Park ranked high by magazine for graduating, enrolling Hispanics
In the May 5 issue of Hispanic Outlook magazine, Park University is ranked among the top 100 colleges and universities in the country for bachelor degrees awarded to Hispanics, as well as enrolling Hispanics. Park ranked 55th nationally in the number of bachelor degrees awarded to Hispanics with 408, according to data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics. In addition, Park's enrollment of 2,065 Hispanic students ranked 82nd nationally. No other school in Missouri or Kansas was ranked in the top 100 on either list.
Park's "One University. Your World." advertising campaign begins
Park University recently began its "One University. Your World." print, radio and television advertising campaign in the Kansas City area, and soon, those at campus centers across the country will also hear radio spots and see newspaper ads. More information about the campaign, including examples of the television, print and radio ads, can be viewed at www.park.edu/one.
Elwess featured in Kansas City Star photo
Carolyn Elwess, Park University archivist, was featured in a photo in the May 3 edition of The Kansas City Star, alongside Parkville, Mo., dignitaries during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Parkville Railroad Museum. Photos from the event can be viewed at http://communityfaces.kcstar.com and searching for :Parkville Depot Railroad Museum."
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Pearl Chamberlin senior art exhibit -- through June 21, Northland Neighborhood, Inc., 3015 NE Vivion Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
• Jessica Wohl art exhibition ��" through July 11, Campanella Gallery
• Pirate Academic Camps -- June 8-13, Parkville Campus
• Park Alumni Weekend -- June 19-22, Parkville Campus
• Alumni Association Annual Meeting -- June 21
• Junemester ends -- June 27
• Julymester begins -- July 7
• Masoom Khawaja photography exhibit -- July 14-August 28, Campanella Gallery
• Summer Session ends -- July 27
• Julymester ends -- August 1
