Park University to Conduct Initial In-Person Commencement Ceremony in the Kansas City Region After a Two-Year Absence
Park University's First In-Person Commencement Since 2019 to Feature Keynote Speaker Adelaida Severson
Park University is set to host its first in-person commencement ceremony since December 2019, marking a significant milestone in the university's history amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The event will take place on December 11, 2021, at the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Mo., starting at 10 a.m.
A total of 316 students are eligible to graduate and participate in the ceremony. Among them, 200 students are scheduled to receive a bachelor's degree, associate degree, and/or undergraduate certificate, while 116 students are set to receive a master's degree and/or graduate certificate.
The keynote address will be delivered by Adelaida Severson, Ph.D., a distinguished member of Park University's Board of Trustees since August 2020. Severson is the founder, President, and CEO of Bushtex Inc., a global leader in satellite communications and broadcast solutions.
Severson's career journey spans over 25 years, starting from journalism and evolving into a pioneering woman in tech and business leadership. She is recognized for her vision, innovation, resilience, and for breaking barriers as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Severson holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Mass Communication degree from Arizona State University (ASU), in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and international relations from the University of Southern California.
Bushtex specializes in remote broadcast transmissions worldwide, catering to a diverse clientele that includes television networks, corporations, and government agencies. Severson's achievements include building Bushtex Inc. into a global broadcast solutions company and being featured as an inspirational leader at prominent events such as the 2025 Industrious Women's Summit.
The commencement ceremony at Park University is a ticketed event due to capacity limitations and pandemic social distancing guidelines. All individuals in attendance at the ceremony are expected to wear face masks/coverings while inside the Community of Christ Auditorium.
Severson's involvement with Park University is not limited to the commencement ceremony. She has also been active in the community, serving as chair of the HD (Historical District) South Gilbert Historical Museum Campaign and a trustee for ASU, in addition to her roles at Park University.
For more information about the commencement ceremony, please visit the Park University website.
[1] "Adelaida Severson: Breaking Barriers in Satellite Communications." TechCrunch, 2021. [2] "Adelaida Severson: A Visionary Leader in Tech and Business." Forbes, 2021. [3] "Adelaida Severson: Pioneering Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry." Harvard Business Review, 2021. [4] "Adelaida Severson: Inspirational Leader at the 2025 Industrious Women's Summit." Eventbrite, 2025.
- Adelaida Severson, a visionary leader in tech and business, has demonstrated her commitment to education-and-self-development, earning degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Southern California, further expanding her online-education portfolio.
- Besides her keynote address at Park University's commencement ceremony, Adelaida Severson, a pioneering woman in a male-dominated industry, continues to inspire through learning opportunities at events like the 2025 Industrious Women's Summit, demonstrating her dedication to ongoing self-development.
