Breaking News: The Crow's Nest Report, Dec 19, 2019

Breaking News: The Crow's Nest Report, Dec 19, 2019

Park University continues to make headlines, with various departments and individuals receiving recognition for their accomplishments. In a Veterans Day story on KMBC-TV, the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War and the University's Valor Medals Review efforts were featured. The centre's research project, conducted in collaboration with the Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars, aims to address the systematic review of valor medals awarded to minority service members who may have been denied medals due to racial bias.

Suzanne Tiemann, Ph.D., assistant professor of education and director of undergraduate programs, was interviewed for a story that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City, discussing a proposal to increase teacher pay in Missouri. Her insights provided valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of such a proposal.

Park University has also received rankings for several online programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Management/Finance, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science, and Master of Healthcare Administration. These rankings highlight the quality and effectiveness of Park University's online programs.

Upcoming events at Park University include the Senior Art Exhibition, Christmas Holiday, New Year's Day Holiday, Masoom Khawaja Digital Photography Art Exhibit, Spring Semester/Spring I Term Classes Begin, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Kansas City Professional Development Council Supervisory Development Course: Performance Management, Faculty/Staff Town Hall Meeting, International Center for Music Concert, Board of Trustees Meeting, International Center for Music Concert, President's Day Holiday.

The School of Business and the Park Global Warrior Center will be housed in the Plaster Center, a new facility development project at Park University. The Plaster Center will include classroom and office space, a state-of-the-art finance lab, an innovation and entrepreneurship lab, a video production studio, and a lounge for commuter students. The School of Business will likely support this project through business planning, management education, and possibly collaboration on innovation or entrepreneurship initiatives. The Park Global Warrior Center, focused on veteran and military-connected students, will provide resources tailored to their needs, integrating them into university projects that serve or involve the veteran community.

Edna Martinson, '12, and the business she co-founded with her husband Clarence Tan, Boddle Learning, were highlighted in a story on Startland News. ECCO Select, led by Jeanette Prenger, '09, president and founder, and chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, was ranked No. 6 on Ingram's list of the top area minority-owned businesses, and No. 14 on Ingram's list of top area women-owned businesses.

Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, was interviewed by KSHB-TV in Kansas City for a story related to expected low turnout for area elections. John Hamilton, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice administration, was interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City, looking at recommendations for the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department's homicide unit.

Scott McRuer, immediate past chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, was honored with the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountant's Outstanding Public Service Award. Casi Joy McCall, '12, who goes by the stage name Casi Joy, competed in WDAF-TV's (Kansas City) version of "The Masked Singer" and was revealed as the winner.

Dmitry Gimon, Ph.D., assistant professor and program director, Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics, co-authored an article that was published in the EURO Journal on Decision Processes. The article, "Overcoming Skill Gaps Using Conferencing Technology in the Virtual Classroom," is eligible for presentation at the national ACBSP conference in Summer 2020.

Simon Karakulidi, a senior music/piano performance major, won the gold medal at the 2019 Wideman International Piano Competition in Shreveport, La. Park University's athletic programs at the Parkville Campus have been approved for membership into the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Melanie Kinney, coordinator of educational technology initiatives, participated in the Google Higher Education Trainer Academy and became Google Cloud G-Suite certified. Shawntae Baldwin, a senior management/healthcare major, was recognized by the Kansas City Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women with a $500 Non-Traditional Education Scholarship.

Park University has pushed for legislation that requires the Department of Defense to execute a systematic review of the valor medals awarded to African American service members, and those of other minority groups who were potentially denied medals due to racial bias. The University received a $70,000 donation from the VFW for this research initiative.

Park University and students in the American National Government (PO 200) class on the Parkville Campus were highlighted in a story related to students learning about the impeachment process and hearings. An art exhibit featuring the work of two Park University seniors is on display through December 31 in the Campanella Gallery.

Ashley Jones, esports head coach, was interviewed for a story related to an esports and tech festival. Vlatko Andonovski, '08, who was appointed head coach of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, was featured in stories that aired on KCUR-FM in Kansas City. Milan Ivanovic, '10, was appointed by U.S. Soccer to the U.S. Women's National Team's technical staff. Jeff Fore has been appointed as director of athletics at Park University's Gilbert, Ariz., campus.

Lastly, Nicolas Koudou, Ph.D., professor of business administration, published a book titled "Business Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa". Haley West, '12, authored an article on "4 Therapists Who Played Vital Roles in My Journey with Mental Illness" that appeared on The Mighty.com. SuEllen Fried, '75, was featured in a story related to her transforming the lives of prisoners at the Lansing (Kan.) Correctional Facility via her "Reaching Out From Within" program.

In all, Park University continues to make strides in various fields, with numerous departments and individuals receiving recognition for their accomplishments. The upcoming Groundbreaking Plaster Center at Park University, housing the School of Business and the Park Global Warrior Center, promises to be a significant development in the University's ongoing efforts to provide quality education and support for its students.

1. An entrepreneur, Edna Martinson (class of 2012), along with her husband Clarence Tan, foundered Boddle Learning; their business was highlighted by Startland News.
2. The School of Business, along with the Park Global Warrior Center, will move into the new Plaster Center, which includes resources for sports, such as a state-of-the-art finance lab, innovation and entrepreneurship lab, and video production studio.
3. A Park University alumna, SuEllen Fried (class of 1975), was recognized for her work in transforming the lives of prisoners through the "Reaching Out From Within" program. In this endeavor, she applies principles of education-and-self-development and business administration.

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