Unveiled on April 12, 2019: Crow's Nest Report
Park University in the Spotlight: Academic Achievements, Athletic Success, and Community Engagement
Park University has been making headlines recently, with faculty members, students, and alumni showcasing their expertise and achievements in various fields.
Academic Achievements
Greg Claycomb, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, and associate professor of chemistry, presented a poster and a paper at the American Chemical Society's national meeting and expo in Orlando. Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, was interviewed for stories aired on WKEF-TV and WRGT-TV in Dayton, Ohio, related to the death of Lt. Col. Dick Cole, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders. Tim Westcott, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, and Ashlyn Weber, senior history/public history major, appeared on a podcast for the United States World War I Centennial Commission.
Park University degree programs have also been recognised by various websites. The online Bachelor of Science in Education degree in early childhood education was ranked No. 19 on OnlineSchoolsReport.com's "Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees" list. The online associate degree program in management was recognised by Business-Management-Degree.net on its "30 Fastest Online Associate Degrees in Business Management for 2019" list.
Community Engagement
Brad Kleindl, Ph.D., professor of marketing, was a keynote speaker at the Pearl River Forum on International Education in Foshan, China, while Jeanette Prenger, '09, vice-chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, was named to the Kansas City Business Journal's "Power 100" list for 2019. Dang Thai Son performed as part of the International Center for Music's 1900 Building Series and appeared on KSHB-TV's "Kansas City Live" to promote the concert. Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, authored a guest commentary related to the recent terrorist attack in New Zealand that was published on The Kansas City Star's website.
Athletic Success
The Park University men's volleyball team has earned an at-large bid into the inaugural NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship. The team is the No. 5 seed with a 20-4 record. They will open pool play on Tuesday, April 16, against host No. 4 Grand View University (18-1) at 7 p.m. Should they finish first or second in their pool, they will advance to the tournament semifinals on Friday, April 19. The championship match for the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship is set for Saturday, April 20, at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN3. The team will play No. 8 seed Saint Xavier University (20-7) at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.
Hailey Raw, a Park University sophomore majoring in U.S. history, brought home a pair of first place awards from the Public Communication Speech and Debate League Nationals. The Park University men's volleyball team also finished fourth in the team sweepstakes at the Public Communication Speech and Debate League Nationals.
Community Service
John Hamilton, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of criminal justice administration, was interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City related to how police officers deal with people who identify as sovereign citizens. Scott Hageman, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and associate professor of geology, and Brian Hoffman Ph.D., professor of biology, presented research at the joint meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science and Kansas Entomological Society.
Drone video of flooding in the Parkville, Mo., area shot by Robert Hoops, social media manager, aired on various Kansas City television stations on March 19 and March 26-27, as well as The Weather Channel on March 27. A story about Stephenie Price, '11, and an adjunct instructor of criminal justice administration, being appointed as the new assistant chief of police in Savannah, Ga., appeared on WTOC.com on March 29.
As Park University continues to excel in academics, athletics, and community service, it solidifies its position as a leading institution in Kansas City and beyond.
Park University's men's volleyball team has earned an at-large bid into the inaugural NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship, showcasing their athletic success. Hailey Raw, a Park University sophomore, also brought home a pair of first place awards from the Public Communication Speech and Debate League Nationals, highlighting the university's achievements in various fields.
