Unveiling at Crow's Nest on September 26, 2018:
Park University has recently seen a flurry of activity and recognition across various fields. In a commendable display of diversity, the institution ranked No. 11 among regional universities in the Midwest in the 2019 U.S. News and World Report Best College Rankings.
The university's campus centers have held commencement ceremonies for the 2018 graduates, marking another significant milestone. In addition to academic achievements, Park University has been making strides in community service. The Park Global Warrior Center, which assists service members and veterans, will be housed in the Plaster Center.
The Plaster Center, spanning 20,500 square feet, is set to be a hub of innovation. It will feature a state-of-the-art finance lab, an entrepreneurship lab, a video production studio, and a lounge for commuter students.
Faculty and staff at Park University have been recognised for their outstanding work in various fields. Notable mentions include Kay Barnes, Amber Dailey-Hebert, Jamie Els, Stacey Kikendall, Dmitry Gimon, Bridget Locke, and Tim Westcott.
In the realm of public discourse, several faculty members have been interviewed on various topics. John Hamilton, Ph.D., was interviewed about tactics used to break up a fight on KSHB-TV. Sarah Weygand, assistant director of military and veteran student services, and John Higgs, a sophomore business administration/finance major, discussed delays in military students getting housing benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on WDAF-TV. Matt Harris, Ph.D., discussed the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City. Harris was also interviewed about Labour Day and Sen. Claire McCaskill's opposition to Brett Kavanaugh on KSHB-TV and KCTV respectively.
Larry Bradley, who spoke at Park University's annual Constitution Day lecture, was interviewed about U.S. electoral reform on KMBZ-FM. Toni Rochelle-Ford, assistant professor of marketing, was interviewed about Colin Kaepernick being one of the faces of Nike's 30th anniversary commemoration of its "Just Do It" slogan on KSHB-TV. Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., discussed the contemporary U.S.-Australian relationship on KCUR-FM's "Central Standard."
The university has also been at the forefront of community events. Novelist Jamey Bradbury will read from her debut novel, The Wild Inside, at Park University on Sept. 26. Park University was featured in a story that aired on KNSD-TV in San Diego related to the reinstatement of education benefits for military students. The institution was also highlighted as part of the "Cool Cities" series that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City with a focus on Parkville, Mo.
Park University has also been recognised for its web redesign, winning a 2018 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development. Bob Kendrick, '85, was featured in a story that was published in the Northwest Missourian about his talk on the history of the Negro Leagues. Walter Kisthardt, Ph.D., delivered the keynote address at the Mid-America Assistance Coalition Conference in Kansas City, Mo.
The Sunderland Foundation donated $1 million, the Goppert Foundation donated $300,000, and an anonymous Kansas-based foundation donated $500,000 for the project. Park University President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., and Board of Trustees members Jeanette Prenger, '09 (vice chair), and David Warm were all selected to the Ingram's 250.
Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, was quoted in three Kansas City Star "Influencer Series" reports. Six Park students were announced as royalty during halftime of the men's soccer match against Lindenwood University-Belleville on Sept. 15. The student body nominated candidates who demonstrate the University's core values.
Steve Youngblood, associate professor, participated in the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in New York City. Fright Night, Park University's annual Halloween celebration, will be held on Oct. 25 at the Copley Quad residence hall. The event is free and open to the public, and children of all ages are encouraged to attend.
Park University has also announced a $1.8 million donation for a new building to house the School of Business. However, detailed information about the project, including its location, size, and features, is not readily available from the provided sources. For more information, one may consider checking Park University's official website or contacting their School of Business administration directly.
In a heartfelt tribute, a story about Lois Spier Gray, '43, Ph.D., who passed away on Sept. 20, appeared in the Cornell University Chronicle. Sarah Hopkins-Chery, '07, '09, will be recognized by the Merced (Calif.) Sun-Star as a 2018 "20 Under 40" honoree.
Upcoming events include the Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture Series, Jamey Bradbury Book Reading, International Center for Music Concert, Fort Leonard Wood (Mo.) Campus Commencement, River Read Children's Literature Festival, One Person, No Vote? A Conversation with Carol Anderson, International Center for Music Concert, Fall II Term Begins, Fright Night, Board of Trustees Meeting, Defense Supply Center Columbus (Ohio) Campus Commencement, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Campus Commencement, Northland Community Choir Concert, Veterans Day Holiday, and Year of Engagement Documentary Series.
[1] Construction project at another institution [2] Unrelated property [3] Another construction project [4] Yet another construction project [5] Construction project at a different location
- Park University's Plaster Center, a hub of innovation in education-and-self-development, will house a General-news center that assists service members and veterans, highlighting the institution's commitment to community service and sports, as demonstrated by the Park Global Warrior Center.
- While the university's Plaster Center undergoes renovations, there is news about another construction project at a different location that is set to be a center for sports, potentially impacting the athletic landscape of general-news.
