The Crow’s Nest — December 19, 2019
University Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony for Plaster Center
On Dec. 6, 海角乱伦社区 students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community were a part of a groundbreaking ceremony for the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center on the Parkville Campus. When completed, the approximate 20,500 square-foot building will house Park鈥檚 School of Business and the . The Plaster Center will include classroom and office space, a state-of-the-art finance lab, an innovation and entrepreneurship lab, video production studio and lounge for commuter students.
Pictured in the above photo (from left): Brian Bode, vice president of facilities; Nathan Marticke, 鈥�10 MACL, chief advancement officer; Sarah Weygand, 鈥�16, director of military and veteran student services; Aaron Eyerly, senior business administration/international business major and ROTC cadet; Kirby Brown, dean, College of Management; Dolly Clement, Robert W. Plaster Foundation executive director; Dr. Greg Gunderson, president; David Fowler, former president; Jeanette Prenger, 鈥�09, chair of Park鈥檚 Board of Trustees; Ernie Straub, Straub Construction president; Dr. Michelle Myers, provost; and Christian Leonard, senior mathematics major and Park Student Government Association president. .
University Receives $70,000 Donation from VFW for Valor Medals Review Project
Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander William 鈥淒oc鈥� Schmitz presented a $70,000 donation to 海角乱伦社区 on Nov. 6 in support of the University鈥檚 research initiative into the awarding or denying of World War I military service medals based on possible racial bias. The project is being conducted by 海角乱伦社区鈥檚 , the Valor Medals Review Task Force, and in conjunction with the Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars on behalf of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.
海角乱伦社区 pushed for legislation 鈥� included in the National Defense Authorization Act 鈥� which would require 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.
Thus far, researchers have identified 70 African Americans, 203 Jewish Americans, 18 Native Americans, three Alaskan natives and three Hispanic Americans as recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross or the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the second highest military decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism. Read more about the gift and project at park.edu/news/vfw-donation.
Park Campuses Hold Commencement Ceremonies
海角乱伦社区 campuses across the country have been holding commencement ceremonies for 2019 graduates. As these ceremonies continue through the next year, we鈥檒l include the link to the news releases announcing the list of graduates at each campus.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Kansas City Area
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聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Charleston (S.C.) Air Force Base Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Defense Supply Center Columbus (Ohio) Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Mountain Home (Idaho) Air Force Base Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Campus
Pirates Women鈥檚 Volleyball Team Upset at NAIA National Tourney
The 海角乱伦社区 Parkville Campus program entered the 2019 NAIA national tournament the same way it left the 2018 tournament 鈥� as the number one team in the country. The Pirates cruised through the pool play portion of the tournament winning all three of their matches to advance to the single-elimination bracket. Park came out strong with a three-set victory over Corban (Ore.), but the Pirates season came to an end in the national quarterfinals with a five-set loss to Westmont (Calif.). .
Parkville Campus Athletic Programs Changing Conferences
海角乱伦社区鈥檚 have been approved for membership into the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Park will immediately join the conference to participate in administrative matters and strategic planning with athletic programs beginning participation at the start of the 2020-21 academic year. Park, the 14th member of the HOA, has been a member of the American Midwest Conference since 2009.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference includes the following institutions: Baker University (Baldwin City, Kan.), Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.), Central Methodist University (Fayette, Mo.), Clarke University (Dubuque, Iowa), Culver-Stockton College (Canton, Mo.), Evangel University (Springfield, Mo.), Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa), Grand View University (Des Moines, Iowa), MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, Kan.), Missouri Valley College (Marshall, Mo.), Mount Mercy University (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Peru State College (Peru, Neb.) and William Penn University (Oskaloosa, Iowa).
Jeff Fore Appointed as Director of Athletics at Gilbert Campus
海角乱伦社区 has appointed Jeff Fore as director of athletics at the University鈥檚 . Fore, who also serves as the head coach, began his additional duties on Nov. 4. In his role as athletics director, Fore will oversee all 11 of Park鈥揋ilbert鈥檚 athletic programs, and will ensure that coaches and staff work together in the development of quality student-athletes, fostering institutional values for image building and campus spirit.
Fore was appointed the first head coach of the Park鈥揋ilbert women鈥檚 basketball program in September 2018 after spending the previous three years as director of team recruiting solutions and senior recruiting specialist at Next College Student Athlete. He has also served in athletics administration at Grand Canyon University (2013-15) and Mesa Community College (2008-10) as assistant athletic director and director of athletics, respectively. Read more about Fore at park.edu/news/fore-appointed-gilbert-athletics-director.
Art Exhibit Features Work of Two Graduating Seniors
An art exhibit highlighting the work of two 海角乱伦社区 seniors is on display through Tuesday, Dec. 31, in the Campanella Gallery. Admission to the Gallery, located within Norrington Center on the University鈥檚 Parkville Campus, is free. The exhibit features the work of the following students:
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Conner Lee, senior fine art major, displaying ceramic vessels with the theme of war
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Kristina Rackin, senior fine art major, displaying acrylic portrait paintings
鈥淧ark Stories鈥� Initiative Showcases Park Family
The heart and soul of 海角乱伦社区 lies within the spirit of the people who represent the institution in the classroom and community. The 鈥檚 initiative showcases fun and inspiring features highlighting 海角乱伦社区 students, faculty, staff and alumni. These stories are shared periodically in The Crow鈥檚 Nest. This , senior English and secondary education major.
Faculty, Staff, Student News
Sarah Zitter, senior political science major, was one of 25 college students across the country to receive a scholarship to attend the World Affairs Councils of America鈥檚 national conference in Washington, D.C., Nov. 6-8. Zitter had the opportunity to meet foreign ambassadors and participated in panels on global economic trends.
Simon Karakulidi, senior music/piano performance major, was selected as the gold medalist of the . Karakulidi won a $5,000 cash prize, a website design, and orchestral engagements with the Shreveport Symphony and other orchestras throughout the U.S. He was also awarded third prize at the Olga Kern International Piano Competition in Albuquerque, N.M., held Oct. 27-Nov. 3.
Scott McRuer, immediate past chair of 海角乱伦社区鈥檚 Board of Trustees and current board member, was honored with the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountant鈥檚 Outstanding Public Service Award during an awards event on Nov. 7 in Kansas City, Mo.
Shawntae Baldwin, senior management/healthcare major, was recognized by the Kansas City Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women on Nov. 9 with a $500 Non-Traditional Education Scholarship during the organization鈥檚 annual Awards and Scholarships Black Tie Gala.
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 November issue of the EURO Journal on Decision Processes. The article, 鈥淎 Refined Utility Function for Modeling 鈥楳e鈥� vs. 鈥楿s鈥� Allocation in a Sequential Group Decision Process,鈥� proposes using the Cobb鈥揇ouglas utility function to refine standard utility functions as a weighted product of the player鈥檚 utility (鈥渕e鈥� factor) and the jointly utility of players (鈥渦s鈥� factor).
An article co-presented by Alla Adams, Ph.D., assistant professor, Master of Healthcare Administration program, was recognized by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs as a Best of Region honoree at the ACBSP Region 5 Fall Conference, Nov. 6-8 in Omaha, Neb. The article, 鈥淥vercoming Skill Gaps Using Conferencing Technology in the Virtual Classroom,鈥� is now eligible to be presented at the national ACBSP conference in Summer 2020. In addition, Adams participated in a roundtable on 鈥淗ow Proactive Population Health Management and Better Care Coordination Improve Outcomes鈥� and presented 鈥淐are Coordination Models in the United States: Achievement, Challenges and Opportunities鈥� at the Global Clinical and Care Coordination Forum, Nov. 11-12 in Hamburg, Germany.
Melanie Kinney, coordinator of educational technology initiatives, participated in the Google Higher Education Trainer Academy, Nov. 20-21 in Boston, becoming Google Cloud G-Suite certification.
Greg Moore, D.B.A., associate dean of graduate studies in business and Edward F. Lyle Chair in Finance, presented a session on investments and various options available, risk and diversification to employees of the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 9 as part of 海角乱伦社区鈥檚 higher education partnership with the club.
Jenna Scott, community relations manager for the Downtown Kansas City, Mo., Campus, was among the 37 honorees as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City鈥檚 Most Wanted Auction on Dec. 14.
A book authored by Nicolas Koudou, Ph.D., professor of business administration, has been published. The book, , is intended to assist any multinational companies or executives to swiftly understand the business environment in the sub-Saharan African region and avoid common mistakes. It also assists investors who are dreaming to familiarize themselves with the region鈥檚 business environment.
Park in the News
Milan Ivanovic, 鈥�10, was . He joins Vlatko Andonovski, 鈥�08, who was appointed head coach of the U.S. Women鈥檚 National Soccer Team in late October.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, was related to the expected low turnout for area elections.
Ashley Jones, head coach, was related to an esports and tech festival held Nov. 8-10.
海角乱伦社区鈥檚 and the University鈥檚 Valor Medals Review efforts were . Tim Westcott, Ph.D., director of the and associate professor of history, was interviewed for the story.
Haley West, 鈥�12, authored an article on that appeared on the website The Mighty.com in November.
Vlatko Andonovski, 鈥�08, who was appointed head coach of the U.S. Women鈥檚 National Soccer Team in late October, was .
Carlos Villalobos, 鈥�08, was . Villalobos, began his journey as a janitor before earning his degree and eventually becoming a principal at Red Sands Elementary School in El Paso.
海角乱伦社区 and students in the American National Government (PO 200) class on the Parkville Campus were . The story, which included soundbites from Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, Nancy Cortez-Alfaro, freshman political science/international politics major, and Imara Harris, sophomore graphic design major, was related to students in the class learning about the impeachment process and hearings.
SuEllen Fried, 鈥�75, was related to her transforming the lives of prisoners at the Lansing (Kan.) Correctional Facility via her 鈥淩eaching Out From Within鈥� program.
Siabhan May-Washington, 鈥�06, Ed.D., president of St. Teresa鈥檚 Academy in Kansas City, Mo., was featured in the November edition of 滨苍驳谤补尘鈥檚, (a Kansas City business magazine), as a .
ECCO Select, led by Jeanette Prenger, 鈥�09, president and founder, and chair of 海角乱伦社区鈥檚 Board of Trustees, was ranked No. 6 on 滨苍驳谤补尘鈥檚 (a Kansas City business magazine) list of the top area minority-owned businesses, and No. 14 on 滨苍驳谤补尘鈥檚 list of top area women-owned businesses, both based on 2018 gross revenue, in the November issue.
John Hamilton, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice administration, was . The story was a look at recommendations for the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department鈥檚 homicide unit.
A story about Edna Martinson, 鈥�12, and the business she co-founded with her husband Clarence Tan, Boddle Learning, . The couple recently won a $25,000 AT&T Aspire Audience Award at the AT&T Pitches with Purpose contest in San Francisco in December.
A review of a concert by Behzod Abduraimov, artist-in-residence, at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 10 .
Suzanne Tiemann, Ph.D., assistant professor of education and director of undergraduate programs, was . The story was related to a proposal in Missouri to increase teacher pay and how any boost in pay might help with the recruitment and retention of educators in the state.
Casi Joy McCall, 鈥�12 (who goes by the stage name Casi Joy), competed in , performing 鈥淟et It Go鈥� as 鈥淭he Reindeer.鈥� After an online vote, Joy was .
海角乱伦社区 has received the following rankings by various websites:
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Intelligent.com has ranked the following 海角乱伦社区 online programs:
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽o聽 Bachelor of Science in Management/Finance, No. 22, 鈥淭op 45 Online Management/Finance Degrees鈥�
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽o聽 Master of Business Administration, No. 34 鈥淭op 40 Online Master鈥檚 in Business Administration鈥�
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽o聽 Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, No. 37, 鈥淭op 50 Construction Management Degrees
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽o聽 Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science, No. 48, 鈥淭op 60 Online Computer Science Degrees鈥�
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Noodle.com placed the online Master of Healthcare Administration program on its 鈥淢ost Affordable Online Master鈥檚 Degrees in Healthcare Administration鈥� list.
Upcoming Events
(All events are Central time)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Through December 31 鈥� Senior Art Exhibition, Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� December 24-25 鈥� Christmas Holiday (all University offices closed)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 1 鈥� New Year鈥檚 Day Holiday (all University offices closed)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 6-February 28 鈥� Masoom Khawaja Digital Photography Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 13 鈥� Spring Semester / Spring I Term Classes Begin
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 20 鈥� Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; Parkville Daytime classes cancelled; Spring I classes held as scheduled)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 23 鈥� Kansas City Professional Development Council Supervisory Development Course: Performance Management, 1-4 p.m., Parkville Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 24 鈥� Faculty/Staff Town Hall Meeting, 1:30 p.m., Parkville Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� January 25 鈥� Concert: Pianist Stanislav Ioudenitch and Violinist Miriam Fried, 7:30 p.m., 1900 Building, Mission Woods, Kan.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� February 5 鈥� Concert: ICM Orchestra Mini-Concert, 4 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� February 7 鈥� Board of Trustees Meeting, Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� February 14 鈥� Concert: ICM Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� February 17 鈥� President鈥檚 Day Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; Parkville Daytime classes cancelled; Spring I classes held as scheduled)
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics and student life, visit park.edu/calendars/park-events-calendar.