Park University Honors Leadership Achievements from the 2024-25 Academic Year with the Howell Awards
On April 16, 2025, the 30th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards took place at Park University, honouring an impressive group of students and organizations. Named after the renowned pediatric oncologist and pioneer in palliative care, the awards programme recognises individuals who excel in fields related to healthcare, palliative care, or humanitarian service, reflecting Dr. Howell's groundbreaking work and compassionate approach to patient care.
Fabiola Salgado Hernandez, an MBA student from Kansas City, Mo., was honoured as the Graduate Assistant of the Year. Fabiola works in the Academic Success Center and previously attended Staley High School. Veronica Spottswood received the Dusing-Proudfoot Award, while Brandi Schaffer, the student records and graduation lead from Smithville, Mo., was recognised with the Student Success and Impact Award.
Several students were also bestowed with the Outstanding Class Member Awards. These recipients included Eny Mejia, Ognjen Petrovic, Manuel Reyes, Maria Eduarda Araujo, Samantha Hall, Marina Perdiguero Martin, Tom Kuehnel, and Faith Romano.
Individual students were also celebrated for their contributions. Allyson Price received the Tipton Award, while Addisen Andrew, a sophomore communication/multimedia journalism major from Kearney, Mo., was awarded the Park Student Government Association / Cindy Anderson Senator of the Year Award. Vivian DeJesus and Michell Lebron were the recipients of the Park Family Award.
Dah Shee, a senior nursing major from Kansas City, Mo., who works in the Office of Residence Life, received the Student Employee of the Year Award. Molly Pierson, the dean of students from Overland Park, Kan., was the recipient of the Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Award, while Kelly Gilhaus, an assistant teaching professor of interior design from Leawood, Kan., also received this honour.
Garima Baral and Nora Spornitz were the recipients of the C.W. Bailey Award, and Alana Mathis and Steven Garcia received the Toni Griggs Award. The recipients of the Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards were Makayla Artis, Dorianna Braxton, Amelia Britting, Nina Distasio, Mariah Hirst, Nicholas Mattivi, and Eric Young.
In the realm of student organisations, Pi Gamma Mu (Missouri Mu chapter), the International Honor Society in Social Sciences, was named the Student Organisation of the Year. The Photography Club received the New Student Organisation of the Year Award, and the Biology Club's Study Party was recognised with the Student Organisation Program of the Year Award. Their outstanding contributions to local, national, or global communities through organised service or civic engagement programmes were commended.
Lastly, Yvette Karanja was honoured as the Park Servant Leader of the Year. Dr. Doris A. Howell's legacy continues to inspire and guide the recipients of these prestigious awards, who embody her spirit of leadership, compassion, and commitment to service.
[1] For more detailed information about the nature of the award at Park University, such as its criteria or recipients, please refer to the university's official resources.
- The students honored with the Outstanding Class Member Awards demonstrated exceptional growth in their field of learning, showcasing their commitment to personal growth and education-and-self-development.
- Yvette Karanja's recognition as the Park Servant Leader of the Year highlighted her dedication to learning, as well as her commitment to promoting personal growth and community service, aligning with the values of education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
