Proclaimed Headline at The Crow's Nest: May 3rd, 2024 Edition
Park University, located in Parkville, Missouri, has been making headlines recently with a series of impressive achievements and upcoming events.
In a notable development, seniors Annastasia Bair and Skyler Jensen were honoured with the Outstanding Parkite Award for the 2023-24 academic year. This prestigious accolade recognizes the exceptional contributions made by students to the university community. For more information about the award recipients, please visit the Park University website or contact the student affairs office.
The university's women's beach volleyball team was featured on KMBC-TV in Kansas City on April 19, showcasing their talent and dedication.
Academic accomplishments were also celebrated as Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed by RTVI, a Russian-language television network based in New York City, on April 3. Susan Keim, Ph.D., associate professor of public administration, presented at the American Society for Public Administration's annual conference in Minneapolis on April 13.
Looking ahead, Park University has a packed schedule of events. The Faculty Biennial Art Exhibit is currently running until May 10. On May 3, several ceremonies are scheduled, including the Ellen Finley Earhart Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, the Graduation Final Walk, the International Sash Ceremony, the School of Education Cording Ceremony, and the Kansas City Area Commencement Ceremony.
CiC Rojas will deliver the keynote address during the Kansas City Area Commencement on May 4. The Gilbert Campus will also start a competitive cheer program at the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
Apart from these events, Park University has been recognised for its project management certificates. It was ranked No. 4 on Forbes Advisor's list of "Best Project Management Certificates Online of 2024" and selected as "Best for Industry Newcomers."
Individual achievements were also recognised. Stephanie Bowerson, '15, was honoured with an Excellence in Education Award from the Michigan Lottery in mid-April. Tatiana Dorokhova placed second at the 6th annual Weatherford (Texas) College International Piano Competition. Michael Davidman, a graduate student at Park University International Center for Music, was featured on KWJC-FM (Classical KC) in Kansas City on April 6-7.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, appeared on KMBZ's "Dana and Parks" program on April 29 for a live, 12-minute interview related to protests on college campuses across the country in recent weeks. He also appeared on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on April 17 related to the lack of legislation going through the Missouri Legislature this year.
Alivia Zubrod, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, presented a session on "Unraveling Language Complexity: Past, Present and Future" at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago on April 18.
Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, served as a panelist at the Downtown Council (Kansas City, Mo.) annual luncheon on April 12 about "The Evolution of Downtown."
John Cigas and Wen Hsin presented at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Central Plains Region. Nancy Almodovar, Ph.D., director of the Mountain Home (Idaho) Air Force Base Campus, presented a session on "Him We Proclaim" the International Society of Christian Apologetics on April 6 in Carlsbad, Calif.
Erik Bergrud, chief strategic communications officer, handled color commentary for the Comets MASL Eastern Conference semifinal game on April 15. Robert Palmer was named the MASL Defender of the Year and to the MASL Elite Six. Joao Friedrich was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2024 NAIA All-America first team.
Four Park-Gilbert Campus players earned first team honours in the California Pacific Conference for baseball and softball. Brad Kleindl led an Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accreditation visit to Shanghai (China) Polytechnic University's School of Economics and Management.
Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was interviewed for a question-and-answer article that appeared April 24 in Libertatea, a publication in Romania. Photos from the Park University International Center for Music's Stanislav and Friends Benefactor Party appeared in The Independent, Kansas City's journal of society, in the April 20 issue.
Lastly, Park University's student newspaper, The Stylus, received several awards during the Missouri College Media Association Conference. Celeste Lupercio has been appointed as the director of corporate and foundation relations at Park University. Abdelmonaem Jornaz and Rebecca Kudrna have been named scholarship and teaching fellows for the 2024-25 academic year.
A story about Garret Ferrell, a senior at Benton High School in St. Joseph, Mo., signing a letter-of-intent to play baseball for Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus, aired on KQTV in St. Joseph on April 24. Brandi Handley authored a creative nonfiction story that was published in The Dodge.
June events include the Juneteenth Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; all Summer Session and Junemester classes held as scheduled) on June 19, the Beaufort (S.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Commencement Ceremony on June 21, and the Cherry Point (N.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Commencement Ceremony on June 7. Summer Session / Junemester classes begin on May 30.
These achievements and upcoming events underscore Park University's commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and student success.
Park University's commitment to education-and-self-development extends to various fields, as shown by the general-news feature on KMBC-TV about the women's beach volleyball team and the sports achievements of Robert Palmer, Joao Friedrich, and four Park-Gilbert Campus players. The university's faculty members also excel in sports commentary, such as Erik Bergrud and the academic accomplishments of Matt Harris, who has been interviewed on KMBZ. Additionally, Stephanie Bowerson, a Park University alumna, was honored with an Excellence in Education Award.
