PARK UNIVERSITY RECEIVES $250,000 GRANT FOR FINANCE LAB IN NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL BUILDING
The Edward F. Swinney Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, has made a $250,000 grant to support a state-of-the-art finance laboratory in the University鈥檚 planned听Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. The finance lab will provide Park students with a unique real-world experience, not only for those in the space itself, but also for students across the country. Students will learn via the same software and in a similar environment used by financial investment professionals. Through video-enabled connections, face-to-face and online students will have access to the best in the University鈥檚 educational experiences.
When the approximate 20,500-square-foot project is completed, the Plaster Center will be the home of the University鈥檚听School of Business听and the听Park Global Warrior Center, which assists service members and veterans transitioning in and out of the military. Along with classroom and office space, the Plaster Center will also include a video production studio, lounge for commuter students and a special innovation and entrepreneurship lab.
The Plaster Center is planned to be built on the University鈥檚 flagship campus in Parkville, Mo., on the east side of the University鈥檚 main entrance. Fundraising and planning for the building continues, with groundbreaking anticipated in 2018. For more information or to support the building project, contact Nathan Marticke, associate vice president for university advancement, at听nathan.marticke@park.edu听/ (816) 584-6844.
NELSON PROMOTED TO ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
海角乱伦社区 Chief Information Officer David Whittaker has announced the promotion of James Nelson to associate vice president of听information technology services. Nelson began his new duties at Park on Nov. 1. As associate vice president of听information technology services, Nelson leads a team that builds and works on enterprise grade software systems for the University, including Microsoft .NET, Visual Basic, PHP and other development languages and development software. Nelson has been with Park for nearly six years. Prior to his promotion, Nelson served as director of software development since July 2015. He also served stints at associate director of software development and programmer analyst after beginning his career at Park as a Linux administrator in January 2012. Nelson is currently pursuing a听Master of Business Administration degree from 海角乱伦社区.
PORT KC PRESIDENT/CEO AND PARK ALUMNUS TO KEYNOTE UNIVERSITY鈥橲 DECEMBER KANSAS CITY AREA COMMENCEMENT
Michael Collins, president and chief executive officer of the Port Authority of Kansas City, Mo., and a member of the 海角乱伦社区听Board of Trustees, will present the keynote address at his alma mater during Park鈥檚听Kansas City Area December 2017 Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 9. The ceremony will be held at the Community of Christ Auditorium, 1001 W. Walnut in Independence, Mo., starting at 10 a.m. The event will include 384 海角乱伦社区 students eligible to graduate and participate in the ceremony 鈥� 150 students are set to receive a master鈥檚 degree and/or graduate certificate, and 234 students are scheduled to receive a bachelor鈥檚 degree, associate degree and/or undergraduate certificate. Collins, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Park in 2004, is the immediate past chair of Park鈥檚 Board of Trustees after having served as chair from 2015-17. He is in the midst of his second three-year term on the Board.
PARK CAMPUS CENTERS HOLD COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
海角乱伦社区 campus centers across the country have held commencement ceremonies for 2017 graduates. As these ceremonies continue through the year, we鈥檒l include the link to the news releases announcing the list of graduates at each campus.
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Defense Supply Center Columbus (Ohio) Campus Center
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Campus Center
PARK ATHLETES EARN ALL-CONFERENCES HONORS
Five 海角乱伦社区 athletes have earned all-conference honors from the American Midwest Conference for their play during the 2017 season.听听player Nada Meawad (left), a freshman outside hitter, was named the AMC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Meawad led the AMC in kills per set at 4.48, which ranked fourth in the NAIA. She was joined on the AMC all-conference first team by junior setter Danna Gomes, who was also named AMC Setter of the Year, and sophomore libero Celina Monteiro. Read more about Park鈥檚 all-conference women鈥檚 volleyball players at听www.parkathletics.com/article/2039.php.
滨苍听, senior midfielder Emma Chatterton and junior midfielder Isabel Sullivan were both selected to the AMC鈥檚 all-conference first team. Read more about Park鈥檚 all-conference women鈥檚 soccer players at听www.parkathletics.com/article/2037.php.
PARK ALIGNS WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE TUITION DISCOUNTS FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
海角乱伦社区 and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management have announced that Park has joined the听, an academic agreement to provide discounted tuition for federal employees nationwide, along with their spouses/domestic partners and dependents. Those eligible can receive a discount equivalent to Park鈥檚 military veteran tuition rate, as well as have the University鈥檚 application fee waived. Park鈥檚 participation in the Alliance supports a continued nationwide effort to close skills gaps, increases federal employees鈥� access to high-quality, affordable educational resources, and further develops and sustains the federal workforce. Federal employees needing more information can visit Park鈥檚听听partnership website at听. Read more about the announcement here.
ICM ORCHESTRA CONCERT TO FEATURE SOPRANO VICTORIA BOTERO
The 海角乱伦社区听鈥檚 ICM Orchestra will hold its second performance of the听 on Saturday, Dec. 2, starting at 7:30 p.m. in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the University鈥檚 Parkville Campus. Admission to the concert is free. The concert will feature a special guest, soprano Victoria Botero, who will perform as a soloist with the ICM Orchestra on two selections. The Columbian-American, fluent in Spanish and Italian, has performed in more than a dozen languages and dialects throughout her wide-ranging concert and recital career. Most recently, she premiered a piece with the Atemporchestra at TEDxKC.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR 2018 ANNOUNCED
海角乱伦社区鈥檚 Office of Human Resource Services has announced the holiday schedule for 2018:
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听New Year鈥檚 Day 鈥� Monday, January 1
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Martin Luther King Jr. Day 鈥� Monday, January 15
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听President鈥檚 Day 鈥� Monday, February 19
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Memorial Day 鈥� Monday, May 28
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Independence Day 鈥� Wednesday, July 4
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Labor Day 鈥� Monday, September 3
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Veterans Day (observed) 鈥� Monday, November 12
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Thanksgiving Day 鈥� Thursday, November 22
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Day after Thanksgiving 鈥� Friday, November 23
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Christmas Eve 鈥� Monday, December 24
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Christmas Day 鈥� Tuesday, December 25
On all holidays, all University offices nationwide are closed and Parkville Daytime (16-week) classes are cancelled. All face-to-face, online, blended and Pirate Patch Spring I/Spring II/Fall I/Fall II (8-week) classes nationwide are held as scheduled, unless cancelled by the instructor.
UNIVERSITY SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION
海角乱伦社区 is seeking comments from the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The University will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit Feb. 12-13, 2018, by a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 海角乱伦社区 has been accredited by the Commission since 1913. The team will review Park鈥檚 ongoing ability to meet the Commission鈥檚 criteria for accreditation. The public is invited to submit comments regarding 海角乱伦社区 to:
Public Comment on 海角乱伦社区
The Higher Learning Commission
230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
The public may also submit comments on the Commission鈥檚 website at听www.hlcommission.org/comment. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed, and comments cannot be treated as confidential. All comments must be received by Jan. 12, 2018.
FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENT NEWS
海角乱伦社区鈥檚听听was among four finalists for the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education鈥檚 2017 Innovation Award. Amber Dailey-Hebert, Ph.D., FCI director and professor of听adult and organizational learning, Jamie Els, Ed.D., FCI programming director, Stacy Kikendall, Ph.D., assistant professor of听English听and FCI associate director, and Emily Sallee, Ph.D., associate provost, presented their innovative idea paper, 鈥淒evelopment on Demand: Offering Multiple Pathways for Faculty Learning,鈥� at the POD Network Conference in Montreal on Oct. 24. Dailey-Hebert, Els, Kikendall and Sallee also presented a session at conference on 鈥淲hat Matters Most to Contingent Faculty: Assessing and Promoting Inclusivity鈥� on Oct. 27. The presentation shared the quantitative and qualitative strategies utilized to assess the needs of all faculty at Park nationwide.
Roger Dusing, chief听human resources听officer, recently earned a doctorate degree in business administration with a concentration in human resources from Northcentral University. Dusing鈥檚 dissertation was titled 鈥淓xamining the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Performance in Higher Education.鈥�
Jeff Ehrlich, Ed.D., associate professor of听healthcare administration, and director of special projects and strategic initiatives, was a co-presenter of a session at the EDUCAUSE annual conference on Oct. 30 in Philadelphia. Ehrlich was a part of a pre-conference workshop on the 鈥淭ransition to Digital Summit鈥� session where he updated attendees on the status/lessons learned on direct digital access at 海角乱伦社区. He also presented at two breakout sessions related to universities implementing DDA and open educational resources.
Judi Simmons Estes, Ph.D., associate professor of听education, authored a听chapter on 鈥淢eeting the Needs of Young English Language Learners鈥澨齠or the recently published book,听Handbook of Research on Pedagogies and Cultural Considerations for Young Language Learners.
海角乱伦社区 President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Truman Library Institute. The Institute is the member-supported, nonprofit partner of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, one of 14 presidential libraries of the National Archives. Together with its federal partner, the Truman Library Institute draws on President Truman鈥檚 legacy to enrich the public understanding of history, the presidency and America鈥檚 unique form of government.
Alayna Howard, a senior听English writing听major, presented her Honors Academy research project at the Midwest Popular Culture Association鈥檚 annual conference on Oct. 21 in St. Louis. Howard presented 鈥淎n Analysis of Diversity in Young Adult Literature鈥� as part of a panel on youth literature and media she chaired.
Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor of听English, presented a pair of discussions related to his book,听Dick Cole鈥檚 War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando. On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, he spoke in Liberty, Mo., to members of the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution. Okerstrom also presented a public discussion on Nov. 16 at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum in Abilene, Kan.
PARK IN THE NEWS
A concert featuring 海角乱伦社区听听pianists Behzod Abduraimov, artist-in-residence, and Stanislav Ioudenitch, associate professor of music/piano, held on Nov. 7 at Kansas City鈥檚 Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, was听previewed in the Oct. 28 edition of听The Independent, Kansas City鈥檚 journal of society, and in the听Nov. 5 issue of听The Kansas City Star. The duo were also听featured as part of an article that appeared in the November/December issue of听KC Studio听magazine. A听review of the concert appeared on Nov. 8 on KCMetropolis.org, Kansas City鈥檚 online journal of the arts.
海角乱伦社区 was the focus of an听interview segment that aired on KEYE-TV鈥檚 鈥淲e Are Austin鈥� show on Nov. 1听(and re-aired on Nov. 2). Tom Allen,听听community relations manager, along with Jolene Lampton, associate professor of听accounting and management, and Guillermo Tonsmann, Ph.D., associate professor of听computer science, discussed the Austin campus鈥� degree program offerings.
Park鈥檚 annual Fright Night event on Oct. 26 on the University鈥檚 Parkville Campus was highlighted in a story that appeared in the听Platte County听(惭辞.)听Citizen听on Nov. 1.
Steve Wilson, associate athletic director for media relations and compliance, participated in a live interview on KSHB-TV鈥檚 鈥�41 Action News Midday鈥� newscast in Kansas City on Nov. 3 to discuss the听鈥� relief efforts for Puerto Rico hurricane victims. Claude English, director of athletics, was interviewed by WDAF-TV in Kansas City on Nov. 7 for a similar story.
A听story about Corey Lonjers, M.Ed. 鈥�10, appeared in the听St. Joseph听(惭辞.)听News-Press听on Nov. 3. Lonjers, an art teacher in St. Joseph, was recently selected to paint a portrait of one of the 58 people killed in the Las Vegas shootings in October as part of a nationwide effort called the Las Vegas Portraits Project.
A feature story about Sgt. Maj Johnnie Ray Famer, 鈥�90, being named the speaker at a Veterans Day ceremony in Murfreesboro, N.C.,听appeared in the Nov. 6 issue of the听Roanoke-Chowan听(狈.颁.)听News-Herald. Farmer is a current member of the Hertford County (N.C.) Board of Commissioners.
An award won by Jacqueline Clark, M.P.A. 鈥�00, and the public relations team at Ash Grove Cement Co. in Overland Park, Kan., was听highlighted in the Nov. 4 issue of the听Lee鈥檚 Summit听(惭辞.)听Tribune. Clark, director of communications and public affairs at Ash Grove, and her team won a PRISM award from the Greater Kansas City chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
A story about Paul Keller, 鈥�80, being elected the new mayor of Fairborn, Ohio,听appeared in the听Dayton听(翱丑颈辞)听Daily News听on Nov. 8.
As part his presentation at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum in Abilene, Kan., on Nov. 11, Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor of听English, was interviewed on KABI-AM in Abilene on Nov. 16.
A story about a new restaurant, Firenza Pizza, opening in Kansas City, Mo., that is co-owned and co-operated by Mel Ginther, 鈥�09,听appeared on the FastCasual.com website on Nov. 7.
A review of a concert performed by pianist Vladislav Kosminov, graduate student in the听听pursuing a听,听appeared in the听Cannon Beach听(翱谤别.)听Gazette听on Nov. 15. Kosminov performed at the Cannon Beach Community Church on Nov. 11.
A story focusing on Director of Marketing/Digital Aimee Patton and her fight with a landlord due to a mold issue in her condo,听appeared on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on Nov. 15.
More 海角乱伦社区 online degree programs have been ranked by various websites:
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Master of Education in Educational Leadership听program ranked No. 13 on BestCollegesOnline.org鈥檚 鈥�50 Most Affordable Online Master鈥檚 in Education Administration (Educational Leadership) 2018鈥� list.
听 听 听 听 听 鈥⑻�听Master of Education in Education Technology听program ranked No. 48 on TopMastersInEducation.com鈥檚 鈥�50 Best Online Master鈥檚 in Educational Technology Degrees for 2017鈥� list.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(All events are Central time)
听 听 听鈥⑻� November 17 —听International Festival, 5:30-8 p.m.,听Park Avenue (Academic Underground)
听 听 听鈥⑻� November 23-26 —听Thanksgiving Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; Fall II classes held as scheduled)
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 1 —听听Commencement, noon, Joint Base Charleston Education Center
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 2 —听International Center for Music ICM Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 3 —听听Concert: Rutter Carols by Candlelight, 5 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 4-29 —听Fine Arts Seniors Thesis Exhibit, Campanella Gallery
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 8 —听International Student Sash Ceremony, 5 p.m., David Theater (Alumni Hall)
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 9 —听Kansas City Area December Commencement, 10 a.m., Community of Christ Auditorium, Independence, Mo.
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 10 —听Fall Semester/Fall II Classes End
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 10 —听听Distinguished Alumni Concert: Violinist Cristian Fatu and Pianist Victoria Martirosyan Fatu, 4 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
听 听 听鈥⑻� December 25-26 —听Christmas Holiday (all University offices closed)
听 听 听鈥⑻� January 1 —听New Year’s Day Holiday (all University offices closed)
听 听 听鈥⑻� January 8-February 23 —听Lynn Richardson 鈥淪urfaces鈥� Two-Dimensional Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery
听 听 听鈥⑻� January 15 —听Spring Semester / Spring I Term Classes Begin
听 听 听鈥⑻� January 15 —听Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; Parkville Daytime classes cancelled; Spring I classes held as scheduled)Note:听To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics and student life, visit here.
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