Venable, Wheat selected for area leadership programs

Stephanie Venable, assistant director of the Independence (Mo.) Campus Center, recently received a partial scholarship to attend the Independence Chamber of Commerce's L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Education, Action, Development) program. L.E.A.D. aims to provide a network of informed leaders with a commitment to the continued growth and development of Independence. The program provides a road map for successful community involvement through interaction with key community leaders and the issues that make Independence distinctive.

Sandy Seidelman, Independence Campus Center director, was a member of the 2003 L.E.A.D. class and is a member of the board for its alumni. L.E.A.D. Independence recently held a "lunch and learn" event for its alumni at the Campus Center. The presentation focused on marketing and included representatives from area businesses and associations sharing their personal success stories.

Hilary Wheat, development officer, Office of University Advancement, was recently selected to the Leadership Northland Class of 2009. Leadership Northland is a program put on by the Northland (Kansas City, Mo.) Regional Chamber of Commerce to help ensure the vitality of the Northland. It is devoted to strengthening and educating area business and community professionals by examining key themes and issues affecting the area. Leadership Northland also provides participants opportunities to explore and strengthen personal leadership competencies. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have developed a keen sense of awareness about the community issues and will have increased their motivation to assume responsible community and workplace roles.

Koudou attends conference, presents paper in Brazil

Nicolas Koudou, Ph.D., professor of business administration and director of the Master of Business Administration program, attended the Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development Conference, July 14-17, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Koudou presented the paper "Understanding of Vendor's Marketing Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Construct of Hermetic Marketing" co-authored by Niyamul Haq, M.B.A. '08, and graduate research assistant. The peer-reviewed paper was among 99 articles selected from a pool of 500. It has been selected to be published in the Journal of International Business and Exports.


Hageman invited to speak at MANU faculty conference

After making a presentation on "Quality Undergraduate Research, MacGyver Style," at the third annual Midwestern Conference on Research and Predominately Undergraduate Institutions, Scott Hageman, associate professor of geology, was invited to speak at the MidAmerica Nazarene University faculty conference on Aug. 15 in Olathe, Kan.

Hageman's talk emphasized how to do undergraduate research with little money, get faculty to recognize their research potential and how to design courses with research as the final product. The ultimate reward came when Hageman was notified that MANU is calling its faculty endowed awards this year the MacGyver Awards. In addition, two MANU faculty members have already developed a service learning project based on Hageman's statement that "research is all around us. We simply need to recognize that what we do can, and should, become research."


Kudos to Park staff from students

An academic evaluator in the Enrollment Services office was recently praised for his work by a student. Greg Dedrick helped the student get enrolled and back on track to finish his degree. The student said that Greg went "above and beyond to help me and get me back into school. A lot of other people would have given me the run-around, but Greg stuck with me and got everything done in a timely fashion."

In addition, Park University staff at the Scott Air Force Base Campus Center, Belleville, Ill., recently worked with Beverly Worley, academic evaluator, to secure a graduation extension for a student who had several family members with serious health issues. The student wrote, "Thank you for your assistance in all I have attempted to accomplish with Park University. I have truly appreciated associating with you and your staff." The Scott AFB Campus Center staff members who also helped were David Rogers, campus center director; Jessica Reilly, campus center assistant director; and Harelyn Johnson, program specialist.

June Mohr, Defense Supply Center Columbus (Ohio) Campus Center director, was recently acknowledged by a student for her "above and beyond" efforts. Patsy Hart, a Master of Business Administration student, needed assistance registering for her first term at Park University. She said, "Once again, June saved the day!" Hart also praised Mohr and other DSCC staff for "always offering encouragement to not only her, but to all students at this campus."

Adrian Duncan, '08 (management/human resources) recently wrote to thank the staff at the Moody Air Force Base Campus Center, Valdosta, Ga., for their assistance. Duncan appreciated the help of Melissa Geier, program specialist, who provided Duncan's handicapped parents with assistance before the graduation ceremony in June. "My experiences with Park have been absolutely amazing! You all are helpful, understanding and patient to say the least. I truly appreciate all that you all have done for me," Duncan said.


Production of subUrbia to be presented

The production of subUrbia, written by Eric Bogosian, will be presented by the Park University Department of Theatre, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26-27, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-4, in the David Theatre (Alumni Hall) on the Parkville Campus. The Park production is directed by Mark Robbins, visiting assistant professor of theatre.

The parking lot of a mini-mall convenience store is the private domain of three men in their early 20s. Jeff is a sometime student; Buff is an easy-going party animal; and Tim is a virtual alcoholic Air Force vet. They talk trash, harass Nazeer, the Pakistani owner of the store, and revel in their high school glory days. They drink beer, get high and eat Oreos. Jeff ponders his problematic relationship with his artist girlfriend, Sooze, and Buff fantasizes a relationship with Sooze's best friend, Bee-Bee, a nurses' aide on the critical ward of the local hospital. The focal point of the evening is the arrival of an old high school chum, Pony, and his female associate, Erica. Since Pony left Burnfield (the name of this fictional suburban town), he has gone on to become semi-famous fronting for a band that has an album on the charts and a video on MTV.

Tickets are $5 for Park University faculty, staff and alumni, as well as senior citizens; $8 for all other adults. Park University students are free with their Park ID. For reservations, visit www.park.edu/theatre/season.shtml or call (816) 584-6451. Those attending subUrbia are warned that the production includes strong language and smoking.


Green tip of the week

Packing the right food for a long hike can be a tricky proposition for the eco-minded. Opt for convenience, and you might end up with excess packaging; bring poorly-balanced or too-heavy provisions, and you''l lag on the trail. What's a green hiker to do? Start with these two steps, and you'll be on your way to a lighter footprint.

• Whenever possible, avoid individually-wrapped foods. You will likely remove the extra packaging before hitting the trail, so look for foods packaged in multiple servings and then portion them out in reusable bags.
• If organic food isn't part of your regular diet because of cost or limited access, the occasional trek is a great opportunity to give it a go. Even a few staples grown with greener practices can make a difference.

For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife.


Upcoming Events

• 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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