Unveiling at The Crow's Nest on May 3, 2024: Latest News and Updates
Park University in the Spotlight: A Bounty of Achievements
Park University continues to shine brightly in the educational landscape, with a multitude of accolades and achievements that have been recently announced. Here's a roundup of some of the latest news from the esteemed institution.
Academic Recognition
Park University has been ranked No. 4 on Forbes Advisor's list of "Best Project Management Certificates Online of 2024" and was also singled out as "Best for Industry Newcomers." This recognition underscores the university's commitment to providing top-notch education in project management.
Celebrating Excellence
Several members of the Park University community have been honoured for their exceptional work. Stephanie Bowerson, '15, was awarded the Excellence in Education Award from the Michigan Lottery in mid-April. Furthermore, the Outstanding Parkite Award, the university's most prestigious honour, was bestowed upon seniors Annastasia Bair and Skyler Jensen.
Sports Accomplishments
Park University's athletic teams have also been making waves. Joao Friedrich, the men's volleyball senior outside hitter, was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2024 NAIA All-America first team. Meanwhile, four Park-Gilbert Campus players earned first team honours in the California Pacific Conference for baseball and softball.
Commencement Ceremonies
The university's graduation season is upon us, with several commencement ceremonies scheduled. The Kansas City Area Commencement will take place on May 4, featuring CiCi Rojas, co-founder of Kansas City-based Tico Productions and Tico Sports, as the keynote speaker. Other ceremonies will be held at the Malmstrom Air Force Base (Mont.) Campus, the Cherry Point (N.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus, and the Beaufort (S.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus.
Scholarly Pursuits
Several faculty members have been actively involved in scholarly pursuits. Brad Kleindl, Ph.D., professor of marketing, led an Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accreditation visit, while John Cigas, Ph.D., and Wen Hsin, Ph.D., both professor of computer science, presented at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Central Plains Region. Susan Keim, Ph.D., associate professor of public administration, presented "Preparing Public Servants in Technology and Business Analytics" at the American Society for Public Administration's annual conference. 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.
Artistic Showcase
The Faculty Biennial Art Exhibit is currently ongoing at the Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center), offering visitors a chance to appreciate the creative works of Park University's faculty.
Looking Ahead
Summer Session/Junemester classes begin on June 3, providing students with opportunities to continue their studies during the summer months. The Faculty Center for Innovation has announced its scholarship and teaching fellows for the 2024-25 academic year. The Faculty/Staff Town Hall Meeting will take place on May 29, and the University's annual Honors Convocation was held on April 17.
Competitive Cheer and Nursing Ceremony
Exciting news for students at the Gilbert Campus, as they will soon have the opportunity to join a competitive cheer program starting from the 2024-25 academic year. Meanwhile, the Ellen Finley Earhart Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place on May 3.
Strategic Communications and University Advancement
Erik Bergrud, chief strategic communications officer, handled color commentary for the Comets MASL Eastern Conference semifinal game on April 15. Celeste Lupercio has been appointed as the director of corporate and foundation relations within the Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations.
Community Engagement
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." 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.
Upcoming Events
Several events are scheduled in the coming weeks, including the Graduation Final Walk on May 3, the International Sash Ceremony, and the School of Education Cording Ceremony. The Board of Trustees Meeting will take place on May 17, and the Faculty/Staff Town Hall Meeting will take place on May 29. The Faculty Center for Innovation has also announced its scholarship and teaching fellows for the 2024-25 academic year.
Outstanding Parkite Award Recipients
The Outstanding Parkite Award winners for the 2023-24 academic year have not been provided in the information available. It is recommended to check Park University’s official website or contact their student affairs or awards office directly for the most accurate and up-to-date list of recipients.
Park University Beach Volleyball in the Spotlight
The Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus women's beach volleyball team was featured on KMBC-TV in Kansas City on April 19 in advance of the Pirates competing in the NAIA National Invitational Tournament in Greeneville, Tenn., April 25-27. This recognition further solidifies Park University's position as a beacon of excellence in sports and education.
Engaging in Diverse Fields
Expanding the scope beyond academics, members of the Park University community are also actively involved in general news and sports. For instance, Erik Bergrud, the chief strategic communications officer, handled color commentary in a sports event, while Celeste Lupercio was appointed as the director of corporate and foundation relations, which falls under the category of general news.
Blending Across Disciplines
The university's achievements extend beyond the confines of education-and-self-development. The artistic works of faculty members are currently showcased in the Faculty Biennial Art Exhibit, demonstrating the integration of creativity and teaching within Park University's diverse offerings. Additionally, the Gillilbert Campus students will soon have the opportunity to participate in a competitive cheer program, emphasizing athletics and sports within the university's comprehensive environment.
