News and Event

Westcott Presents at National Archives                 

May 2011

Dr. Timothy Westcott, associate professor of history and Chair, Department of Culture and Society recently presented at the National Archives and Records Administration—Great Plains Region on the topic “Robert E. Lee: From General to Academician.”  The presentation was in association with the National Endowment for the Humanities exhibit Lee and Grant.  According to the NARA press release, "The exhibit provides a major reassessment of the lives, careers, and historical impact of Civil War generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. It also encourages audiences to move beyond the traditional mythology of both men and rediscover them within the context of their own time—based on their own words and those of their contemporaries."  The exhibit remains open until October 22 at 400 West Pershing Road here in Kansas City.

Park University adds hands-on birthing simulator

February 2011

Students in the Ellen Finley Earhart Nursing Program at Park University have a new way to learn with the addition of a hands-on birthing simulator. Noelle, a computer-controlled mannequin, recently was added to the program at the University's Parkville Campus. Noelle can mimic many areas necessary for patient care. She can have blood pressure, oxygen saturation, IV access and other features, as well as give birth. A faculty member controls the experience from a computer and can introduce complications to allow the students to think through processes and deliver the appropriate nursing care.

Sophomore nursing students Sarah Holthaus (left) and Andrea Gonzales work with Noelle, while Lisa Sneed, assistant professor of nursing, runs the simulation in the background.

Gerry Walker, D.H.Ed., nursing program chair and assistant professor, said the addition of Noelle is a stepping stone for Park's program and represents a significant commitment by the University to purchase the equipment. "Over the last few years, we have experienced fewer and fewer students who have had an opportunity to participate in the birth of a baby," Walker said. "If the student is in the room during a birth, they are strictly an observer and not a very close one. Noelle provides the nursing student a hands-on, instructor-facilitated birthing experience."

Read more about the addition of Noelle at http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001863.shtml.

Brackett honored with an Outstanding Alumni Award

Octboer 2010

Virginia Brackett, Ph.D., associate professor and chair, Department of English and Modern Languages,and director of Park University's Degree with Honors Program,was one of four graduates honored by Pittsburg (Kan.) State University on Oct 15 with the 2010 Outstanding Alumni Award.

The award goes to alumni based on their professional achievements, as well as their community and organizational involvement.

Award Presented to Dr. Kenneth Christopher for the 2010 ASIS Security Professional of the Year.

October 2010

Todd Pembleton, Director of Campus Security, nominated fellow Park Faculty member Kenneth Christopher, Ph.D. for recognition from ASIS, a security professionals group for his work in leadership and education. Dr. Christopher received the 2010 ASIS Security Professional of the Year Award.

The Security Professional of the Year Award is presented to an Individual in the Security Industry that exhibits leadership within the security profession, involved in the mentoring and education of those in the security industry, active in the security community and a member and involved in professional organizations.

Pictured left to right: President Droge,
 Dr. Kenneth Christopher,
ASIS~ Bill Getz-Secretary,
Stephen Brown-Chair,
Brandon Kehl-Vice Chair

Awards Presented to Dr. Joan Aitken and Dr. Virginia Brackett at 2010 Spring Honors Convocation Ceremony

Dr. Joan Aitken andDr. Michael Droge   Dr. Virginia Brackett and Dr. Michael Droge

The University recognized its outstanding faculty with the presentation of the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award to Joan Aitken, Ph.D., professor of communication arts and the  Distinguished Humanities Faculty Award to Virginia Brackett, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of English and modern languages, and director of the Honors Program. Aitken, of Parkville, Mo., whose work in the field of interpersonal communication, mediated communication and communication education has yielded seven books and numerous manuals, articles and reports, has also served as editor of the National Communication Association's Communication Teacher journal. She is also on the editorial board of NCA's Communication Education journal. Manuchair Ebadi, '60, Ph.D., established this award in honor of Delta W. Gier, Ph.D., former chair of the Department of Chemistry who served Park from 1948 to 1990. The award pays tribute to a faculty member who shows evidence of commitment to high standards of excellence in the area of scholarship: teaching, discovery, integration and/or service. The recipient also shows effective and innovative connections between teaching and research, especially by undergraduate student involvement and participation. Brackett, of Kansas City, Mo., is an award-winning author. Her passion for literature, scholarship and community engagement has manifested in public forums for poets, astute leadership of the University's Honors Program and outstanding work in guiding students in more than 2,800 hours of community service. Ebadi also established this award, to celebrate the work, life and thoughts of Woodbridge O. Johnson, Ph.D., professor emeritus and chair of religion and Biblical literature at Park from 1946 to 1966. The award is presented to a University faculty member who exhibits extraordinary accomplishments in research or creative scholarship through teaching, discovery, scholarly or creative work, and service.

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