Park University’s Howell Awards Recognize Leadership Achievements

May 6, 2020 — In celebration of the leadership achievements of Park University students, faculty and staff during the 2019-20 academic year, the Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association announced recipients of honors as part of the 25th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards. The program is named for Howell, a 1944 Park graduate who was an internationally renowned leader in pediatrics and hospice care before passing away in November 2018. The Howell Awards event had been scheduled to be held on April 18 on the University’s Parkville Campus, but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Awards presented and the recipients:
(Name, year in school, major, hometown [and high school attended, if known], for students; name, work title and city of residence for faculty/staff):

Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards: This award is given to students who distinguish themselves uniquely as leaders regardless of position or title. Recipients represent the spirit of a Park University by: pursuing integrity in every endeavor; inclusiveness as a global citizen; are responsible and respectful in word, work and conduct; are aware of the implications and rewards of their education; truthful in every action; and excellence in modeling the Park University lifestyle.
          •  Gustavo Fernandez Agreda, graduate student in the Master of Business Administration program, Conway, Ark.
          •  Briana Ayala-Ramirez, junior psychology major, Kansas City, Kan. (attended Wyandotte High School)
          •  Verniqua Brown-Watson, senior nursing major, Leavenworth, Kan.
          •  Edgar Cerna, junior information and computer science/software development major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy)
          •  Tammy Claerhout, senior social psychology major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Southwest Livingston County High School, Ludlow, Mo.)
          •  Cynthia Clark, senior multimedia journalism/public relations major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Western Hills Regional High School, Washington, N.J.)
          •  Jocelyn Clayton, senior English and secondary education major, Burlington Junction, Mo. (attended Craig [Mo.] High School)
          •  Muraila Epel, junior nursing major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Oak Park High School)
          •  Nicholas Gresham, senior psychology major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Oak Park High School)
          •  Jack Gunderson, junior criminal justice administration/security, Parkville, Mo.
          •  Abby Hatch, junior social work major, Newton, Kan. (attended Newton High School)
          •  Jordan Humphrey, senior biology major, Wichita, Kan. (attended Goddard [Kan.] High School)
          •  Mateus Nacimento Martins, senior business administration/international business major, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
          •  Hailey Raw, junior communication studies major, Raytown, Mo.
          •  Andrea Tenney, senior biology major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill High School)
          •  Cynthia Villeda, junior nursing major, Kansas City, Kan. (attended Wyandotte High School)

Outstanding Class Member Awards: This award honors one male and one female student from the junior and sophomore classes (based on credit hours completed) who best represent their class in service to, and participation in, Park University.
          •  Juniors
                 o  Ozoda Narzullaeva, information and computer science/cybersecurity and software development major, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
                 o  Matheus Chesca da Silva Teles, multimedia journalism/public relations major, Santos, Brazil
          •  Sophomores
                 o  Alba Myshketa, biology and chemistry major, Durres, Albania
                 o  Sophie Roper, business administration/computer information management and logistics, Kansas City, Kan. (attended Piper High School)

Dusing-Proudfoot Award: This award is given to honor an outstanding contribution by a Park University faculty or staff member. It is named in honor of two former Park University professors, Albert Dusing and Merrill Proudfoot, who worked at Park for more than 20 years each and are respected for their academic and teaching betterment of students.
          •  Bridget Locke, director of strategic communications, Kansas City, Kan.

Tipton Award: This award is given to honor an outstanding service contribution to Park University by a Park alumnus/alumna. It is named to honor Bill and Mary Lou Tipton, both 1928 Park graduates. Throughout their lives, the Tiptons served Park University through the Park University Alumni Association, Friends of the Park University Library and the Park University Board of Trustees.
          •  Michael Collins, 2004 graduate, Leawood, Kan.

Park Family Award: This award recognizes Park staff and/or faculty members who embody the University’s family-like culture in their interaction with students and fellow staff/faculty.
          •  Dana Autry, director of adjunct faculty engagement, Kansas City, Mo.

Toni Griggs Award: This award is given to honor students who have made an outstanding contribution to Park University through leadership, service or work performance. Griggs, a Park employee and an integral part of the University for three decades, was a friend to Park students, faculty and staff.
          •  Taela Ivory, senior nursing major, Florissant, Mo. (attended Hazelwood Central High School)
          •  Sarah Parrish, graduate student pursuing Master of Social Work degree, Holt, Mo. (attended Lathrop [Mo.] High School)

C.W. Bailey Award: This award is given in memory of C.W. Bailey, grandfather of John Shelton, a 1976 Park graduate, to students for the purpose of facilitating their education to the end that they may make a contribution to society in the tradition of Bailey. It is presented to one or two students who have distinguished themselves and exhibited the spirit of Park University.
          •  Sophie Craven, sophomore nursing major, Kansas City, Mo.
          •  Ahmed Zlitni, freshman liberal arts major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill South High School, Riverside, Mo.)

Park Servant Leader of the Year Award: Awarded to a student who exemplifies the characteristics of a strong servant leader and/or has a service-focused mindset, and has worked effectively with others in the University and/or surrounding community to be a positive change.
          •  Natasha Swayze, 2019 graduate and currently pursuing Master of Social Work degree, Kansas City, Mo.

Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Award: Presented to faculty and staff members in their first year of outstanding service to the University.
          •  Faculty: David Grover, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, Gladstone, Mo.; and Merrick Henry, lecturer of graphic design, Kansas City, Mo.
          •  Staff: Samaiyah Scott, Ph.D., admissions counselor, Kansas City, Mo.

Student Employee of the Year Award: This award goes to an outstanding work-study student who is chosen on the basis of his/her reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and the uniqueness of his/her contributions to the University.
          •  Savanna Moffett, junior biology major, Stanton, Iowa (attended Stanton High School), work-study in the Office of Admissions

Graduate Assistant of the Year Award: This award goes to an outstanding graduate assistant student who is chosen on the basis of his/her reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and the uniqueness of his/her contributions to the University.
          •  Khadijatou Wade, graduate student pursuing Master of Science degree in Information Systems and Business Analytics, Kansas City, Mo., graduate assistant in the Office of Information Technology Services

Student Organization Adviser of the Year Award: This award recognizes the staff/faculty member who has provided outstanding efforts in guiding and advising student organizations.
          •  Wen Hsin, Ph.D., professor of information and computer science, Kansas City, Mo. (advised Alexa Club)

Student Success and Impact Award: This award recognizes educators who have made an outstanding impact and profound difference on Park students.
          •  Karley Evans, student success coach, Mission, Kan.

Park Student Government Association / Cindy Anderson Senator of the Year Award: This award recognizes the senator who made the greatest contribution to PSGA during the year. The award is named for Anderson, a Park freshman soccer player from Grimes, Iowa, who was killed in an accident (along with a teammate and head coach) heading to a NAIA playoff game in 2000.
          •  Ahmed Zlitni, freshman liberal arts major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill South High School, Riverside, Mo.)

New Student Organization of the Year Award: This award is given to an outstanding student organization that was formed within the past academic year.
          •  Alexa Club