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Imprint Express -- September 15, 2008By Brad Biles - September 15, 2008 - 8:40 amEmail this article | Printer friendly page | Media Inquiries | Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter For the fifth consecutive year, Park University will declare Tuesday, Nov. 4 -- "Democracy Day" -- as a major civic literacy effort. In honor of Democracy Day, the University will again offer an essay contest for high school seniors throughout the U.S. However, for the first time ever, the University will offer a similar contest for Park undergraduates. The grand prize winner of this contest will receive a $2,000 Park University scholarship; the grand prize winner in the contest for high school seniors will receive a $2,000 Park University scholarship or a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of his/her choice. In addition, five first place winners in the high school senior division will receive $250 each. This year's essay topic, "Should the Electoral College Be Abolished?" focuses on the U.S. Constitution. The deadline to submit essays, which should be no more than 250 words long, is 5 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, Oct. 3. Essays should be sent via e-mail (or U.S. mail) to Erik Bergrud, director of the International Center for Civic Engagement and special assistant to the president for University projects on civic engagement. The essays will be judged by a distinguished panel of scholars and public officials. The program supports Congressional legislation requiring federally funded schools to hold an annual educational program to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. For more information, visit www.park.edu/democracyday and www.park.edu/democracyday/essay.aspx, or contact Bergrud at erik.bergrud@park.edu or (816) 584-6412. Kisthardt authors chapter in social work textbook Walter E. Kisthardt, Ph.D., associate professor, chair and program director in the Department of Social Work, has authored a chapter in the fifth edition of the book, The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. This textbook, published by Allyn and Bacon, has been required reading in social work programs throughout the U.S. and around the world, according to Kisthardt. Kisthardt's chapter, "The Opportunities and Challenges of Strengths-Based, Person-Centered Practice: Purpose, Principles and Applications in a Climate of Systems Integration," highlights the conceptual framework and philosophical base of a model of social work practice. This practice shifts the focus in interpersonal helping from a diagnostic, problems-focused approach to a focus on the hopes, dreams, aspirations, gifts, talents and resources of people and in communities. Kisthardt highlights the results of his research evaluating the effectiveness of this approach in work with individuals struggling with the "co-occurring" disorders of substance abuse and mental illness in Kansas.
Doug Scheffner, adjunct instructor of criminal justice, recently completed service as the course director for the National Youth Leadership Training program for the Boy Scouts of America. Scheffner was initially selected due to his knowledge and ability to apply leadership skills when working with youth. New University event calendar available Online Just a reminder -- the new Online calendar system on Park University's web site allows faculty, staff and students to submit University calendar items. If you have an item to include for the calendar, go to www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html, click "Submit an event" and fill out the form. The form will be sent to the appropriate staff person for approval before the event is posted to the calendar. I am reminded of President Beverley Byers-Pevitts' recent Opening Convocation speech, "Park University is Going Green." It was this speech that inspired me to do more recycling, not only in the Academic Support Center/Career Development Center, but also at our sponsored student events. It really was not hard at all. I started our office recycling efforts in September 2007 when I grabbed an old cardboard shipping box, lined it with newspaper and using a black marker wrote, "Recycling" on the box and put it in the corner behind my desk. Then, I sent an e-mail to the department staff to encourage them and our student visitors to recycle. I recycled glass/plastic bottles, soda pop cans, junk mail, magazines, paper board (office supply packaging) and office paper. Every week, my box quickly filled up. With the support of the staff, our small office recycling program turned out some big results. In one year, our office has recycled more than 1,500 plastic bottles, 500 soda cans, 100 magazines, 15 paper grocery bags filled with paper board and about of 20 cases of office paper. When you add it all up, recycling does make a difference. Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html. |
