Access Missouri program remains intact
Faculty, staff and students from Park University and other independent schools across Missouri together have helped protect the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program. On May 16, the Missouri General Assembly official adjourned with Senate Bill 390 dying in the Senate Education Committee, while House Bill 792 was never assigned to a committee. These proposed bills would have drastically changed Access Missouri to cap the amount awarded to eligible students attending four-year institutions at $2,850 per year.
Calls, e-mails, letters and personal contact with lawmakers were vitally important in ensuring Access Missouri remains intact and showed that the proposed change would have compounded the financial burden of thousands of students from working and lower-income families who attend Missouri's independent colleges and universities.
While everyone involved can breathe a collective sigh of relief for the moment, the work is far from over. It's important to remain actively involved in the coalition to continue a strong and unified front to ensure that Access Missouri remains intact. Encourage everyone you know to join the Access Missouri coalition at www.keepmeincollege.org.
Parkville Campus to host International Relations Council discussion
For just the second time in its 55-year history, the International Relations Council will hold a program on Park University's Parkville Campus. William Lambert will address the topic "Pakistan and Afghanistan Today" on Thursday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in the McCoy Meetin’ House (a pre-event social begins at 6:30 p.m.). The IRC, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is the region's leading organization for world affairs programming for all ages. Park University was the first institution of higher education to become an IRC educational organizational member. Erik Bergrud, director of the International Center for Civic Engagement and special assistant to the president for University projects on civic engagement, serves the IRC as its 1st vice president and treasurer.
Lambert is an associate professor in the Department of Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations at the CGSC at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and he was recently selected as "Civilian Instructor of the Year." He will brief attendees on the current Afghanistan-Pakistan region, one of the most volatile border regions in the world. He will also discuss the U.S. Military's focus to this area and its impact on those countries as well as on U.S. defense strategy.
Park University faculty, staff and students can attend the event for free by registering through the IRC at this link. Tickets for the general public are $10 for IRC members and $15 for non-members and are available through this IRC link.
Atkinson presents paper at medieval studies conference
Dr. Stephen Atkinson
Stephen Atkinson, Ph.D., associate professor of English, presented a paper on "Narrative Craft and Characterization in Malory's Lancelot" at the 44th International Congress on Medieval Studies on May 7 in Kalamazoo, Mich. The paper explored the portrayal of Lancelot in Thomas Malory's 15th century text, "Le Morte Darthur." The Congress is an annual gathering of more than 3,000 scholars interested in medieval studies.
Zeng presents teleseminar for academic and career practitioners
Dr. Heather Zeng
Heather Zeng, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and Online instructor evaluator, co-presented a teleseminar on "Validating Our Voices: A Learning Exchange for Academic and Career Practitioners" on May 15. The teleseminar was the culmination of work Zeng had completed as a National Career Development Association Leadership Academy participant after being mentored by two NCDA board members to develop the project. The highlights of the teleseminar included discussing the essential roles educators and practitioners in career development play in promoting and fostering personal and professional growth of students, clients and individuals across the lifespan.
CDL, CETL co-sponsor eCompanion training for MDW faculty
Park University's College for Distance Learning and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning co-sponsored its third series of eCompanion training sessions May 4-5 to faculty at the University's Washington, D.C., area campus centers. The sessions were held at the Henderson Hall Headquarters Battalion Campus Center and at the Fort Myer Campus Center. Shown in the adjacent photo at the HHHB training are, from left, Frank Bergmeister, adjunct instructor of management; Harry Harrison, assistant professor of computer science and mathematics; Vicki Harsh, faculty member of the eTeaching Institute and senior academic consultant for eCollege; Pam Denton, adjunct instructor of management; and Michael Wakelin, adjunct instructor of mathematics.
eCompanion is the learning management system Park uses as a tool to augment face-to-face classes. Faculty can load course documents, web sites, hold live chats and conduct threaded discussions. It also allows for all course content, such as PowerPoint, video, schedule, lectures and grades, to be posted in one location. Students benefit by having a one-stop place for all course information and a location to "drop off" and receive graded assignments. To see a training demo of eCompanion, visit www.park.edu/online/demo.aspx.
University staff receive kudos from student, alumna
• A student who was taking classes at Park University after another Kansas City area school discontinued its Online program sent a work of thanks to Steve Fenske, enrollment counselor in the Park Student Success Center. The student was appreciative of Fenske's assistance in helping her with the courses she needed. "You and Park are amazing," the student said.
• A 2008 Park graduate from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Campus Center sent a message to Dorian Busby, campus center director, after receiving the Spring 2009 issue of the Park University Magazine. "I can't believe it's been over a year since I crossed the stage! I received the (Park University Magazine) and you and the team weighed on my heart. I just wanted to send a hello and another thanks for all of your help and support during my undergrad journey," the former student said.
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.
Green tip of the day
A clean house is often associated with a "fresh" smell, so it's ironic that synthetic air fresheners could be contaminating homes with phthalates or formaldehyde. To really freshen up a room, try opening the windows first. Next, invest in houseplants. NASA has been studying the pollution-reducing abilities of plants for years. Some of the plants tested by NASA that have been shown to remove benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air include the peace lily, spider plant, golden pothos, mother-in-law's tongue, bamboo palm, ficus, pot mum and gerbera daisy. For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming Events
• 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
• International Relations Council's William Lambert Lecture -- June 4, 7 p.m. (social at 6:30 p.m.), McCoy Meetin' House
• Alumni Weekend -- June 25-28, Parkville Campus
• Junemester ends -- June 26
• Independence Day holiday -- July 3 (Parkville Campus closed)
• Parkville Community Band 4th of July Concert -- July 4, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Julymester begins -- July 6
• Victoria Crowder Payne Art Exhibit -- July 14-August 21, Campanella Gallery
• Victoria Crowder Payne Reception -- July 17, 6:30 p.m., Campanella Gallery
• Summer session ends -- July 24
• Julymester ends -- July 31
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
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