Crow's Nest Daily Update - August 3rd, 2020

Crow's Nest Daily Update - August 3rd, 2020

Park University has been buzzing with activity in recent months, as evidenced by the following highlights.

Katie Ervin has been appointed to the Keystone Innovation District's Standing Committee for Research and Advanced Studies, joining a group of dedicated professionals working to drive innovation and research in the district.

Meanwhile, Alla Adams, Harold Griffin, and Brad Kleindl have been involved in presentations and elections related to their roles at Park University. Bridget Locke was also elected to a two-year term on the board of directors for KC Mothers in Charge.

In June, a heartwarming story about Victor Torres, a Park University graduate who earned his degree while serving a life sentence in prison, appeared in the New York Daily News. Torres' perseverance and determination serve as an inspiration to many.

The Park University Golf Scramble, a much-anticipated event, is limited to 25 teams this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Registration fees for the event, which benefits the University's Parkville Campus athletics programs, are $225 per golfer or $900 per four-person team.

On the academic front, Pamela Stewart, '88, M.D., was featured in a story that appeared in the Garden City (Kan.) Telegram on July 7. Stewart recently opened Buffalo Plains Health Center in the town.

Lisa Hickok was appointed as the executive director of Park University's International Center for Music on July 13. Hickok, who has a background in consulting and has served in various marketing roles before joining Park University, will lead the center in its mission to promote music education and performance.

On the sports front, A feature story on Kailei Edwards, who recently signed to be a student-athlete at Park University's Gilbert Campus as a member of the women's basketball team, appeared in her hometown newspaper, The Independent, in Moriarty, N.M., on July 29. Similarly, a feature story on Mario Segura, who recently signed to be a student-athlete at Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus as a member of the baseball team, appeared in the San Tan Valley (Ariz.) Sentinel on July 14.

Park University has also been making strides in the realm of rankings. BestMastersPrograms.org ranked Park No. 12 on its "25 Best Online Executive MBA for 2020" list. Learn.org ranked Park No. 31 on its "Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs" list, while EdSmart.org ranked Park No. 28 on its "Best Online Computer Science Degree Programs" list.

In terms of social justice initiatives, Park University President Greg Gunderson wrote a letter in support of social justice on July 16. However, a search for recent news reports directly related to Park University's social justice initiatives in 2025 did not yield any specific results. It may be necessary to check Park University's own website, press releases, or local news outlets for the most current updates beyond the scope of these results.

The University has also been recognised for its ethical business practices, receiving $5,000 from RecognizeGood for an ethical business research project completed by 14 students.

Park University's response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announcement that international students would have to leave the country or risk deportation if colleges switch to online-only courses (as a result of the coronavirus pandemic) was featured in Kansas City area media outlets on July 8-9. President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., and women's volleyball student-athletes Nada and Noura Meawad were interviewed.

Several events and ceremonies have been cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including Park University's First Family was featured in a cover story in the July issue of Northland Neighbors magazine, and the International Center for Music Gala, TBA, Boulevard Drive-In, Kansas City, Kan.

The University has also announced graduates from Fort Myer (Va.), Headquarters Marine Corps/Headquarters Battalion Henderson Hall (Va.), Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.), Hill Air Force Base (Utah), and various Washington, D.C. area campuses.

In other news, Gina Chambers, Ph.D., and Suzanne Tiemann, Ph.D., assistant professors of education, were both interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City on July 16. The story was on how the coronavirus pandemic has forced educators to re-imagine models for teaching and touched on Park's Master of Education in Educational Technology for Teachers program.

Mohamed Abualhaija, D.B.A., associate professor of accounting, provided comments for a story on "Credit Card Consolidation Loan Offers" that appeared on WalletHub.com on July 7. Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, appeared in a live, 22-minute interview segment on "Up To Date" on KCUR-FM in Kansas City on July 7.

Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was featured in the Platte County (Mo.) Citizen on July 8. The article focused on the CGPJ's scope of work. Matt Harris, associate professor of political science, was interviewed for a story related to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's executive order mandating the wearing of face masks across the state.

On the calendar, the following events are scheduled:

• September 10 - Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture: Dr. Norma Riccucci, noon, Virtual
• September 17 - International Center for Music Gala, TBA, Boulevard Drive-In, Kansas City, Kan.
• September 17-19 - Homecoming and Family Weekend, Parkville Campus
• September 18 - Camp Pendleton (Calif.) Campus Commencement, noon, Camp Pendleton Theater and Training Center
• September 18 - Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington (Tenn.) Campus Commencement
• September 25-27 - International Center for Music Concert: Stanislav and Friends Virtual Broadcast
• October 13 - River Read Children's Literature Festival
• October 17 - Fall Faculty Conference, Virtual
• October 12 - 2020 Park University Golf Scramble at The National Golf Club of Kansas City
• September 19 - International Talk Like a Pirate Day
• September 7 - Labor Day Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; Parkville and Gilbert daytime classes cancelled; Fall I classes held as scheduled)
• August 21 - Opening Convocation, Virtual
• August 21 - Minot (N.D.) Air Force Base Campus Commencement, 2 p.m., James Crawford Airman Leadership School Building Auditorium
• August 8 - El Paso (Texas) Campus / Fort Bliss (Texas) Campus / Holloman Air Force Base (N.M.) Campus Commencement (rescheduled for January 30, 2021)
• August 11-12 - Fall Faculty Conference, Virtual
• September 12 - Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Ariz.) Campus Commencement, 4 p.m., Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, Tucson, Ariz.
• September 17 - Fort Irwin (Calif.) Campus Commencement (tentatively rescheduled for unknown date in January 2021)
• October 13 - River Read Children's Literature Festival

These are just a few of the many happenings at Park University. Stay tuned for more updates and achievements from the University.

1. It is worth noting that Park University's education and self-development realm has not been confined solely to academic pursuits. For instance, Lisa Hickok recently joined Park University as the executive director of the International Center for Music, bringing her expertise in consulting and marketing to promote music education and performance.
2. In addition to academic and self-development advancements, Park University's sports sector has also been active. Notably, Kailei Edwards and Mario Segura, new student-athletes at Park University's Gilbert Campus, have garnered attention in their respective hometown newspapers.

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