Park softball team ends season at national tourney
The Park University softball team, which made school history by becoming the first Pirate softball squad to qualify for the NAIA National Tournament, had its dream season come to a halt at the national tourney this past weekend in Decatur, Ala. The Pirates, finishing the season with 27-13 record, went 1-2 in the pool play portion of the tournament, losing to No. 22 ranked Friends University (Kan.), 6-5 and top-ranked California Baptist, 2-0. Park concluded the season on a winning note, defeating Hastings (Neb.) 6-1. Read more about the tournament at www.parkathletics.com/news/cat_index_69.shtml.
While in Alabama, the Park squad was one of four teams that participated in the NAIA's "Champions of Character" program. Park student-athletes spent the morning before the start of the tournament bowling with Special Olympians from a Decatur area organization as a part of the "Giving Back to Decatur" event. Read more at www.parkathletics.com/wsoftball/park_002975.shtml.
Kisthardt presents keynote address at New York case management meeting
Dr. Walter Kisthardt
Walter E. Kisthardt, Ph.D., associate professor and chair, Department of Social Work, presented a keynote address at the New York State Case Management Coalition conference in Albany on May 5. Kisthardt's talk was focused on utilizing the concepts and principles of strengths-based, person-centered community care to promote systems integration. He also provided two skills-based workshops at the conference. These focused on the potential advantages of group supervision and the implementation of strengths-based assessments, and person wellness/recovery plans in work with people with persistent mental illness.
Workshop to focus on student suicide prevention
Park University's Behavioral Intervention Team, in conjunction with the Office of Student Life and the Counseling Center, is hosting a student suicide prevention workshop on Tuesday, June 9. The workshop will be held in the College for Distance Learning conference room MA from noon to 1:30 p.m. The 90-minute seminar, "2009 Student Suicide Update: New Models and Approaches," will include information about what successful colleges are doing to help prevent suicides, and the new developments in health care and the law that impact those efforts.
The workshop is open to all Park University faculty and staff. Those interested in attending are asked to contact Linda Waxse, counselor, at linda.waxse@park.edu; Erin Martin, counselor, at emartin@park.edu; or Diana McElroy, dean of student life, at diana.mcelroy@park.edu.
Aitken presents paper at behavior disorders meeting
Dr. Joan Aitken
Joan E. Aitken, Ed.D., professor of communication arts, recently presented a paper at the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders. Aitken was the co-author of the paper, "Culturally Competent Communication in Urban Schools." The paper looked at the disproportionately high number of students who live in urban centers who are found eligible for special education services. For some of these students, teachers and administrators may misinterpret communication and other behaviors. This paper provided lessons learned about interpreting communication and behavior in the urban context.
Students give kudos to Park staff for their efforts
• A student at Park University's Randolph Air Force Base Campus Center sent in his thanks for the service Jeff Bowes, administrative specialist, and Kathleen Vann, campus center director, have provided. The student said he has had nothing but positive experiences with the campus center, singling out Bowes and Vann. "I am impressed with the professionalism and the level of service they provide," the student said.
• Another student, who attends Park's Vandenberg Air Force Base Campus Center, thanked Renee Jack, scholarship coordinator, for her speedy responses in regard to her financial aid needs. "Park is really awesome. My husband attends (another university) and I see a huge difference. I am really proud and honored to attend Park," the student said.
• A student at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Campus Center sent a Mother's Day card and flowers for his appreciation of the staff there. The card said, "To the most outstanding staff that Park University could have at Cherry Point. You guys are like my mom, and I thank you very much for everything you have done for me and will do for me." In the adjacent photo (from left) are: Sicley Sidoran, administrative specialist, Tammy Nicklow, program specialist, Ivy Prior, campus center director, and Sharon Millard, assistant campus center director.
• A recent graduate from Park's distance learning program provided a comment in his graduation application about his experience at Park: "It was a long process, but I am so pleased to have attended Park University. The distance learning program is the best way for a U.S. Military member to complete their degree requirements as I have moved five times since starting at Park in 2004."
Park Current reminder: Send us your Mother's Day and Father's Day photos
The May/June issue of The Park Current will be coming soon and wants to honor all Park University mothers and fathers. We’re looking for photos of Park faculty and staff with their children, and/or photos of you with your mom and dad. Please be sure to identify everyone in the photo, as well as include any additional information about the photo and the individuals in the photo. E-mail your submission and photos to advancement@park.edu or fill out the news request form at www.park.edu/webguide/news.html (you will still need to send your photos to the aforementioned e-mail address).
The deadline for submitting items for the next issue of The Park Current has been extended to 4 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, June 26. Remember, The Park Current is also your opportunity to share personal news, announcements and accomplishments with your Park University colleagues, as well as a place to sell, buy or trade items. Please send this information to advancement@park.edu as well. Remember, because of the personal nature of The Park Current, this newsletter is not published to the University's web site and is distributed only via e-mail.
Park In The News
• Park University Acting President Michael Droge, Ph.D., was interviewed for a story that appeared on WDAF-TV (FOX-4) on May 13. Droge provided comments for a "Wall Street to Main Street" series that featured Parkville, Mo. View the story at WDAF's web site.
• Park University President Emerita Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., was featured in the Platte County (Mo.) Sun Gazette on May 14. The story highlighted Byers-Pevitts' future endeavors. Read the story on the Sun Gazette's web site.
• Park University was ranked No. 80 in the Kansas City Business Journal's list of its "100 Top Area Private Employers." The ranking, which appeared in the April 24-30 issue, was based on the number of full-time local employees (Park has 395).
• Members of Park University's baseball team were highlighted in the May 10 edition of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. Six Pirates are from the Tucson area. Read the story on the Arizona Daily Star's web site.
• Tamara Miller, adjunct instructor of sociology in Park's Accelerated Program, was highlighted in a May 15 Kansas City Star column written by Steve Penn. A portion of the column was about Miller's volunteering at ReStart Inc., a ministry for the homeless. Read more on the Kansas City Star's web site.
• Jennifer Vosburg, a junior majoring in social psychology at Park's Scott Air Force Base Campus Center, was recently highlighted in a feature story on St. Louis television station KTVI (FOX-2). As a teen, Vosburg was diagnosed with myasthenia gavis, a rare neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to weaken. She was featured in the story as medical researchers are looking at the possibility of using saliva from ticks to be used as treatment. Watch the story at KTVI's web site. In addition, Vosburg has recorded an informational video about the disease. Watch this video on YouTube.
Green tip of the day
With the start of grilling season just under way, consider these ideas to make your outdoor cooking easier on the environment:
• Instead of creating tons of trash with disposable dishes, bring your reusable plates and cutlery outdoors. Worried about your ceramics surviving the picnic bench? Consider investing in reusable plasticware.
• Buy locally grown veggies and organically raised meats for the grill or, better yet, skip the meat altogether.
• Fight off insect invaders without chemicals. Bug sprays containing DEET are bad for your health and the Earth. Opt instead for a natural repellent like lemon eucalyptus.
For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
In a related note, three Park University employees at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Campus Center donned running shoes to help promote environmental awareness. The trio, Tammy Nicklow, program specialist, Ivy Prior, campus center director, and Sharon Millard, assistant campus center director (from left in adjacent photo), participated in the Earth Day 5K on April 24 on the base. About 250 participants joined together to support "green" causes promoted by the MCAS Cherry Point Department of Environmental Affairs.
Upcoming Events
• Pirate Club Annual Meeting -- May 21, 6-8 p.m., NAIA Headquarters, 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
• Maymester ends -- May 22
• Memorial Day -- May 25 (Parkville Campus closed)
• Summer session begins -- June 1
• Junemester begins -- June 1
• Margaret Shelby Art Exhibit -- June 1-July 10, Campanella Gallery
• Alumni Weekend -- June 25-28, Parkville Campus
• Junemester ends -- June 26
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
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