Park University’s Howell Awards Recognize Leadership Achievements from 2024-25 Academic Year

April 18, 2025 — In celebration of the leadership achievements of Park University students, faculty and staff during the 2024-25 academic year, the Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association announced recipients of honors as part of the 30th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards. The awards program, held on April 16, 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.

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.
          •  Makayla Artis, senior political science/American politics major, Elkton, Ky. (attended Clarksville [Tenn.] Academy)
          •  Dorianna Braxton, senior communication studies major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Winnetonka High School)
          •  Amelia Britting, senior management major, Edgerton, Mo. (attended North Platte High School, Dearborn, Mo.)
          •  Nina Distasio, senior biology major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Liberty [Mo.] High School)
          •  Mariah Hirst, senior psychology major, Smithville, Mo. (attended Smithville High School)
          •  Nicholas Mattivi, senior accounting major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill High School)
          •  Eric Young, senior psychology major, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. (attended Westside High School, Anderson, S.C.)

Outstanding Class Member Awards: This award honors two students from the senior, junior and sophomore classes (based on credit hours completed) who best represent their class in service to, and participation in, Park University.
          •  Seniors
                 o  Eny Mejia, senior biology major, Independence, Mo. (attended Van Horn High School)
                 o  Ognjen Petrovic, senior logistics major, Cacak, Serbia
                 o  Manuel Reyes, senior nursing major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy)
          •  Juniors
                 o  Maria Eduarda Araujo, junior psychology major, Sao Paulo, Brazil
                 o  Samantha Hall, junior social psychology major, Grain Valley, Mo. (attended Grain Valley High School)
                 o  Marina Perdiguero Martin, junior information and computer science/software development major, Malaga, Spain
          •  Sophomores
                 o  Tom Kuehnel, sophomore political science major, Hamburg, Germany
                 o  Faith Romano, sophomore interior design major, Clarksburg, Mo. (attended Tipton [Mo.] 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.
          •  Veronica Spottswood, acquisition assistant, McAfee Memorial Library, Gladstone, Mo.

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.
          •  Allyson Price, ‘05, MBA ’07, assistant registrar, Registrar’s Office, Kansas City, Mo.

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.
          •  Vivian DeJesus and Michell Lebron, kitchen staff/cooks, Fresh Ideas Pirate Café, Parkville, Mo.

Toni Griggs Award: This award is given to honor students and/or employees 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.
          •  Student: Alana Mathis, junior organizational communications major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill High School)
          •  Employee: Steven Garcia, admissions counselor, Office of Admissions, North Kansas City, Mo.

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.
          •  Garima Baral, freshman nursing major, Sunsari, Nepal
          •  Nora Spornitz, junior elementary education major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill High School)

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.
          •  Yvette Karanja, senior cybersecurity major, Nairobi, Kenya

Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Awards: Presented to faculty and staff in their first year of outstanding service to the University.
          •  Faculty: Kelly Gilhaus, assistant teaching professor of interior design, Leawood, Kan.
          •  Staff: Molly Pierson, dean of students, Overland Park, Kan.

Student Employee / Graduate Assistant of the Year Awards: These awards go to an outstanding work-study student and graduate assistant student who are chosen on the basis of reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and the uniqueness of contributions to the University.
          •  Student Employee: Dah Shee, works in the Office of Residence Life, senior nursing major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy)
          •  Graduate Assistant: Fabiola Salgado Hernandez, ’23, and Master of Business Administration student, works in the Academic Success Center, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Staley High School)

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.
          •  Damian Gonzalez, digital storytelling coordinator, Office of Strategic Communications, Shawnee, Kan.; adviser to the Photography Club

Student Success and Impact Award: This award recognizes educators who have made an outstanding impact and profound difference on Park students.
          •  Brandi Schaffer, student records and graduation lead, Registrar’s Office, Smithville, Mo.

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.
          •  Addisen Andrew, sophomore communication/multimedia journalism major, Kearney, Mo. (attended Kearney High School)

Student Organization of the Year: Awarded to the student organization that imparts strong sense of purpose, understands its mission, and provides involvement and support opportunities.
          •  Pi Gamma Mu (Missouri Mu chapter), International Honor Society in Social Sciences

New Student Organization of the Year Award: This award is given to an outstanding student organization that was formed within the past academic year.
          •  Photography Club, for students who share a passion for photography

Student Organization Program of the Year Award: Awarded to the student club or academic organization that made outstanding contributions to local, national or global communities through an organized service or civic engagement program
          •  Biology Club’s Study Party

Special Award – Dedication to Student Advising: Presented in recognition of exceptional commitment to guiding, mentoring and empowering students, fostering growth and leaving a lasting impact on the personal and academic journeys of students.
          •  Amanda Bryant, director of student life, Gladstone, Mo.