Government scandal: Top official accused of embezzlement and bribery in land dealings, faces potential criminal investigation
Park University is gearing up for an eventful autumn season, with numerous accolades, academic achievements, and upcoming events to look forward to.
In a significant development, Ryan Bissing, a senior majoring in information and computer science/cybersecurity, has been awarded the 2020 Infosec Accelerate Military and Veteran Scholarship. Meanwhile, Zac Jarrard, information technology services project manager, and Susan Keim, Ph.D., assistant professor of public administration, co-authored an article on "Building Communities, Pirate Ships and Raining Chickens: Park University's Minecraft Camp Experience," which was published in the Minecraft Education edition on September 4.
The University's athletic department has also been making waves, with four additional teams—women's softball, men's volleyball, women's volleyball, and women's cross country—compiling GPAs of 3.4 or higher. Notably, the women's golf team led the way with a cumulative GPA of 3.67.
In recognition of their contributions, the Park University Alumni Association has announced the 2020 honorees for its four annual awards. However, specific details about the recipients and the categories in which each was honoured are yet to be disclosed.
Among the University's notable alumni, Salvatore Scarpa, '03, has been appointed fire chief in Columbus, Ga., while Stephenie Price, '11, has been appointed chief of police in Bluffton, S.C. JT Daniels, '11, is the recipient of the Park Promising Young Professional Award for his nationally recognised work as an artist.
The University has also garnered several rankings, including from Niche.com, CollegeConsensus.com, Edu.Ref.net, SecurityDegreeHub.com, UniversityHQ.org, and BestValueSchools.org. Park University received rankings from U.S. News & World Report as part of its 2021 Best Colleges rankings, including Best Regional Universities - Midwest (listed among those ranked between 119-156), Campus Ethnic Diversity - Midwest (No. 8), Student Debt Load at Graduation: Least Debt - Midwest (No. 13), Economic Diversity - Midwest (#14 tie), Top Performers on Social Mobility - Midwest (#155).
On the artistic front, an art exhibit featuring works by Megan Frazer, senior fine art and sociology major, will be on display in Park University's Campanella Gallery from Oct. 5 to Nov. 20. The International Center for Music's "Stanislav and Friends" concert, which was the focus of a preview story in The Kansas City Star, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the International Center for Music Concert: Violinist Ben Sayevich and Pianist Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich will take place on October 15 and 17 in Mission Woods, Kan.
In terms of events, the Park University Golf Scramble will take place on October 12 at Shoal Creek Golf Course, Kansas City, Mo. (new location). Fall I Term ends on October 11, and Fall II Classes will begin on October 19.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, several events have been rescheduled. The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Ariz.) Campus Commencement has been rescheduled for December 19, Camp Pendleton (Calif.) Campus Commencement, Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington (Tenn.) Campus Commencement, and El Paso (Texas) Campus / Fort Bliss (Texas) Campus / Holloman Air Force Base (N.M.) Campus Commencement will take place on January 30, 2021. The Fort Leonard Wood (Mo.) Campus Commencement will take place virtually on October 23 (rescheduled from Oct. 9). The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Campus Commencement will take place on November 15.
In a positive development, after November 1, the University plans to allow spectators to include residential students, faculty, staff, and student-athlete family members at 25 percent capacity at Breckon Sports Center and Julian Field. However, the no spectator policy for home sporting events remains in place through October.
Lastly, the Board of Trustees Meeting will take place on November 13, and the Defense Supply Center Columbus (Ohio) Campus Commencement will take place on November 14. The Office of University Engagement has begun its new #SuccessSeries, featuring short documentary videos focusing on Park alumni who have succeeded in their professional field. Behzod Abduraimov, International Center for Music artist-in-residence, participated in a Q&A segment on KCTV in Kansas City. The International Center for Music Concert: ICM Orchestra will take place virtually on November 20. Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, authored a guest commentary related to the Greater Kansas City Peacebuilding Conference.
The Park University Alumni Association acknowledges contributions in both the academic and professional realms, recognizing Salvatore Scarpa, '03, for his appointment as fire chief in Columbus, Ga., and JT Daniels, '11, for receiving the Park Promising Young Professional Award in the field of art. Meanwhile, the University's engagement with sports extends beyond accolades, as it announces the resumption of spectators at Breckon Sports Center and Julian Field, allowing for 25 percent capacity starting November 1, which includes residential students, faculty, staff, and student-athlete family members. This decision follows the cancellation of several events due to the ongoing pandemic but also coincides with the upcoming International Center for Music Concert featuring Violinist Ben Sayevich and Pianist Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich on October 15 and 17. Furthermore, the Office of University Engagement has initiated the #SuccessSeries, a collection of short documentary videos highlighting Park alumni achievements, while Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts, authored a guest commentary related to the Greater Kansas City Peacebuilding Conference.
