Incursion and Carnage at Local School: May 5, 2025 Reporting
Park University is gearing up for an exciting month filled with events, announcements, and celebrations.
Firstly, the Banneker School Foundation will host a Jazz and Folk Festival on June 7 in English Landing Park. The event, in honour of Juneteenth and the 140th anniversary of Banneker School, a historic one-room structure in Parkville, Mo., will feature jazz artist Vanessa Thomas and the Ernest James Zydeco Band, along with folk musicians Jill Westra and the KC Boys, and folk singer Dustin Hammond. Attendees are encouraged to donate or purchase a brick to support the continued restoration of the Banneker School, and there will be opportunities to meet the student artists and learn about their creative processes.
On May 9, the graphic design students at Park University will showcase their work at the VIP Special Event Space in Parkville, Mo. The exhibit will celebrate the pop art era and showcase the innovative work of senior graphic design students, including Kenzy Barnett, Brock Beashore, Korbin Harris, Kylie Hawkins, Natalia Loubriel, Bridget Nash, Rachel Nash, and Kori Rusley.
In the world of sports, the Park University women's beach volleyball team advanced to the NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball National Invitational Tournament semifinals for the first time. Meanwhile, the competitive cheer program brought home the third place trophy from the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in the intermediate small coed NAIA division.
The Park University International Center for Music has an exciting lineup for the 2024-25 concert season finale. The father-daughter duo of pianist Stanislav Ioudenitch and violinist Maria Ioudenitch will take centre stage.
Academically, Catherine O'Sullivan has been appointed as the director of development and alumni engagement within the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Park University.
In terms of leadership changes, Dr. Kathrine Swanson has been appointed as the interim president of Park University, effective April 23. She previously served as president of the Metropolitan Community College Longview Campus in Lee's Summit, Mo., from August 2021 to August 2024. Dr. Swanson also earned a graduate certificate in leadership coaching from Avila University and a doctorate degree in higher education administration from the University of North Texas, among other academic achievements.
The university announced that Dr. William D. Morrison will take over as the interim president of Park University starting July 1, 2025. The university is conducting a national search for a permanent president, with a goal to have the new leader installed by early 2026.
Lastly, records related to the University's co-founder George S. Park have been digitized and are available in the online George S. Park collection.
Jeanette Hernandez Prenger, founder and CEO of ECCO Select, will present the keynote address during Park University's Kansas City Area Commencement on May 10. Michael Davidman, a graduate of Park University's International Center for Music, won the American Piano Awards, adding another feather to the university's cap.
As we move forward, Park University continues to make strides in various fields, demonstrating its commitment to excellence in education, sports, and community engagement.
- For those looking to combine their love for education and self-development with a passion for sports, they should mark their calendars for the Park University International Center for Music's 2024-25 concert season finale, as it promises an exciting blend of music and artistic talent.
- Moreover, those with an interest in both education-and-self-development and sports should be thrilled to know that Park University's athletic program, particularly the women's beach volleyball team, has achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball National Invitational Tournament semifinals.
