Dispatch from The Crow's Nest on January 3, 2025:
Park University, nestled in the heart of Missouri, has been a hub of activity this week. From academic and athletic achievements to upcoming concerts and advocacy efforts, the university continues to make headlines.
Terry Calaway, Chair of the Park University Board of Trustees, has added his voice to the ongoing discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education. In an opinion article titled "Paradigm Shift: DEI, Anti-DEI or Underrepresentation?", published on the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education website, Calaway offers insights into the importance of DEI in today's educational landscape.
Meanwhile, sophomore Izabella Ceratti has been making waves both in the classroom and on the beach volleyball court. As part of a rigorous academic environment that emphasises both academic and athletic excellence, Ceratti has been named to the 2024 AVCA-NAIA All-Midwest Region first team and led the Park University women's volleyball team with 366 points on the season. Her impressive performance on the court earned her and freshman Maria Pim the title of 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association NAIA Beach All-Americans. The duo also guided their team to the national semifinals at the NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball National Invitational in late April 2025.
Apart from Ceratti's accomplishments, 12 student-athletes from Park University earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition. Three were from the men's soccer team, six from the women's soccer team, and three from the women's volleyball team.
In other news, Grecia Ung, a senior on the Parkville (Mo.) Campus women's volleyball team, commented on a story about her sister, Argentina, who was named Big 12 Setter of the Year at Arizona State University.
Jenny Johnston, '11, and her father have spent the last 14 years advocating for a trail in their Kansas City, Mo., Northland neighborhood. Johnston, who is the president of the Northland Chamber of Commerce, has been instrumental in this endeavour.
Academic achievements were not left behind, with J'Vonelle Simpson, a graduate of Park University, being featured in the Jamaica Observer for her work as a clinical laboratory scientist in the area of transplantation and histocompatibility.
The university community is encouraged to sign up for ParkAlert, a mass notification system that can alert individuals with time-sensitive messages.
On the cultural front, the Park Trio, an ensemble of Park University's International Center for Music, will perform in concert on January 24. The Park ICM Orchestra will follow suit with a concert on February 7, featuring guest conductor Jason Seber, former associate conductor of the Kansas City Symphony (2016-22). Both concerts will take place at the 1900 Building in Mission Woods, Kan. and tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Lastly, the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at Park University is reviewing Native Americans who may have been denied the Medal of Honor in World War I due to race, as reported by Task & Purpose and other publications.
This week at Park University, it's clear that the spirit of achievement and community advocacy is alive and well.
Sports continue to thrive at Park University, with sophomore Izabella Ceratti being named to the 2024 AVCA-NAIA All-Midwest Region first team and leading the women's volleyball team with 366 points on the season. Her impressive performance earned her and freshman Maria Pim the title of 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association NAIA Beach All-Americans, guiding their team to the national semifinals.
