Park University's Howell Awards Honor Leadership Accomplishments from the 2024-25 Academic Year
On a memorable evening on April 16, 2025, Park University honoured its brightest students, faculty, and staff at the 30th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards. The event recognises individuals who exemplify leadership qualities such as community involvement, academic excellence, initiative, and a positive impact on campus or in their community.
This year, Dah Shee, a senior nursing major from Kansas City, Mo., who works in the Office of Residence Life, was named the Student Employee of the Year. Dah, who attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, demonstrated her dedication and commitment to the student body.
Yvette Karanja received the Park Servant Leader of the Year Award, while Amanda Bryant, the director of student life from Gladstone, Mo., was honoured with the Special Award - Dedication to Student Advising.
The Student Organization Adviser of the Year award went to Damian Gonzalez, the digital storytelling coordinator in the Office of Strategic Communications from Shawnee, Kan. Damian, who advises the Photography Club, has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant and creative community within the university.
The Pi Gamma Mu (Missouri Mu chapter), the International Honor Society in Social Sciences, was named the Student Organization of the Year. Their Study Party programme, which provides a supportive environment for students to engage in academic discussions, was also recognised as the Student Organization Program of the Year.
Several students received the Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards, including Makayla Artis, Dorianna Braxton, Amelia Britting, Nina Distasio, Mariah Hirst, Nicholas Mattivi, and Eric Young.
The Faculty Newcomer of the Year award was presented to Kelly Gilhaus, an assistant teaching professor of interior design from Leawood, Kan. Meanwhile, Molly Pierson, the dean of students from Overland Park, Kan., was named the Staff Newcomer of the Year.
In addition, Vivian DeJesus and Michell Lebron, Allyson Price, Garima Baral and Nora Spornitz, Alana Mathis and Steven Garcia, and Veronica Spottswood received various awards for their outstanding contributions.
Lastly, the C.W. Bailey Award was given to Garima Baral and Nora Spornitz, while the Toni Griggs Award was presented to Alana Mathis and Steven Garcia. The Dusing-Proudfoot Award was bestowed upon Veronica Spottswood.
The awards programme is named after Dr. Doris A. Howell, a 1944 Park graduate who was an internationally renowned leader in pediatrics and hospice care. The awards serve as a testament to her legacy and commitment to education and leadership.
The university's website or the scholarship or student affairs office is the best place to find the precise criteria for the Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards. For a general overview of common leadership award criteria, feel free to ask for assistance. Furthermore, the Photography Club, a new student organisation, was also recognised for its contributions, providing a platform for students who share a passion for photography.
The Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards are a shining example of the exceptional talent and dedication found within Park University's community. Each awardee's achievements serve as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the university's commitment to fostering leadership and excellence.
The Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards, named after a 1944 Park graduate who championed education and leadership, aim to recognize students, faculty, and staff who show leadership qualities like personal growth, learning, and a positive impact on their community, reflected in the achievements of this year's recipients. The Student Organization Program of the Year, Pi Gamma Mu (Missouri Mu chapter), was lauded for their Study Party programme, a supportive environment that encourages academic discussions, fostering learning and personal growth among students.
