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.
Scheffner completes services with Boy Scouts
Doug Scheffner
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.
The calendar can be accessed at www.park.edu/calendar. This event calendar includes all Academic Affairs, Student Life, Athletics, Civic Engagement and Access to the Arts events for the coming year. As a reminder, you can even select events to be added directly to your Outlook calendar and get a weekly e-mail of upcoming events. Please remember that when using the room reservation system, you will also need to access the University calendar system if you wish to have the event on the University calendar.
Help soldiers overseas with cell phone donations
Park University's Telecommunications Office, a division of the Office of University Advancement, has organized a program that allows the Park community to drop off old cell phones to provide talk time for soldiers abroad.
The cell phones will be sent to ReCellular, which pays the Cell Phones for Soldiers campaign for each donated phone -- enough to provide an hour of talk time. The program, founded by two Massachusetts teenagers, has raised $1 million in donations and has distributed more than 400,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
On the Parkville Campus, there will be two drop off boxes -- one located next to the PirateConnect store in Millsap Foyer (at the main entrance to the Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground) and outside of the Telecommunications Office, Room 202 in the Mabee Learning Center.
All Park University campus centers are encouraged to participate and set up their own drop-off locations. To get involved, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. All campus centers are responsible for acquiring their own drop off containers. For more information, contact James Tucker, associate director of telecommunications, or Regina Reed, telecommunications administrator, at telecom@park.edu or (816) 584-6340.
Park In The News
Ron Brecke, Ph.D., professor of political science, was interviewed for a WDAF-TV (FOX-4) story revolving around the Democratic National Convention. The story aired on Aug. 26.
Green tip of the week
We take a break from the green tips this week for a "green" e-mail received from Susan Michaud, Academic Support Center office manager.
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.
For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.
Upcoming Events
• Park University "Night at the K" -- September 16, Kauffman Stadium
• Opening Convocation -- September 17, 11 a.m., Breckon Sports Center
• "Concert Careers Today" Lecture with Maria Guralnik -- September 17, 1 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• International Center for Civic Engagement Event--A Chain Reaction: Nuclear Weapons, Policy and People -- September 18, 7 p.m., Kansas City Public Library (Central Library), 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo.
• International Talk Like A Pirate Day -- September 19
• International Center for Civic Engagement Event--A Chain Reaction: Nuclear Weapons, Policy and People -- September 19, 11 a.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• subUrbia performance -- September 26-27 & October 2-4, 8 p.m., David Theatre
• School of Business and Management Dean's Distinguished Executive Lecture Series, featuring Peter deSilva -- September 29, 4 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Harvest Fest Week -- September 29-October 4, Parkville Campus
• CETL Colleague to Colleague Professional Enhancement Series -- October 1, noon, McCoy Meetin' House
• Ethnic Poetry Reading Series with Victoria Chang -- October 2, 6:30 p.m., Kansas City Public Library Central Branch
• Fall I ends; Fall Break begins -- October 12
• Art@Park -- October 11-12, English Landing Park, Parkville, Mo.
• Melanie Lowrance Art Exhibit -- October 13-November 21, Campanella Gallery
• Fall Break ends -- October 19
• Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City Concert -- October 19, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Fall II begins -- October 20
• Auditions for The Book of Liz performance -- October 20, 6:30 p.m., David Theatre
• Fright Night -- October 24, Parkville Campus
• Parent & Family Weekend -- October 24-25, Parkville Campus
• Parkville Community Band Concert -- October 26, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• Concert Featuring Young Artists from the International Center for Music -- October 26, 3 p.m., Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo.
• Comedia performance by Heidi Stubblefield -- October 27, 7 p.m., David Theatre
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics, visit www.park.edu/calendar/parkville.html.
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