Park University’s Homecoming Weekend 2018 Planned for Sept. 13-15

Aug. 20, 2018 — Park University alumni from across the country and their families will converge on the University’s Parkville Campus for Homecoming Weekend 2018, Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 13-15.

While a number of activities during the weekend are reserved for Park alumni and their families, many events are open to the public. These include (events with ticketed admission are noted):

Thursday, Sept. 13
          •  Ed Bradley Sports Medicine Center Dedication and Tour, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Park Avenue, within the Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground
          •  Women’s volleyball match vs. Ottawa University, 7 p.m., Breckon Sports Center. Admission — $5 general admission; $3 for senior citizens; $2 active military and Park University alumni; Park students/faculty/staff admitted free with valid Park ID card.

Friday, Sept. 14
          •  Park University Alumni Association Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City at Briarcliff, Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are $30 per person or $300 for a table of 10. Three Park alumni and one retired Park employee/community leader will be honored:
                 o  Javier Centonzio, J.D., LL.M., 2009 graduate, will receive the Park Promising Young Professional Award, which recognizes a Park alumnus/alumna who shows exceptional promise of leadership and contribution to their profession and/or community. A retired U.S. Marine, Centonzio, formerly of Kansas City, Kan., and now a resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., is a partner and co-founder of Weylie Centonzio PLLC based in St. Petersburg.
                 o  Parisa Fetherson, 2006 graduate, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award which recognizes Park alumni who have distinguished themselves through career service or community achievements. Fetherson, a resident of Stafford, Va., and retired sergeant major and 26-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is the program manager at Marine Corps Community Services at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.) and president of the VA-1 Crossroads Chapter of the Women Marines Association.
                 o  Joseph Geeter III, 1999 graduate, will receive the Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award, which recognizes Park alumni for volunteer services to community and civic organizations. Geeter, a resident of Limerick, Pa., and a retired U.S. Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant, was instrumental in the efforts to get the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Montford Point Marines in 2012. He currently serves as the corporate human resources manager for AmeriGas Propane Inc. based in King of Prussia, Pa.
                 o  Roger Hershey, J.D., LL.M., will receive the Torchlighter Award, given to honor individuals who have made significant longstanding contributions and commitment to Park University, whether alumni, faculty or friend. Hershey, a resident of Independence, Mo., served the University for 20 years, first on its Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2004, then as its vice president and general counsel from 2004 to 2014, before retiring in 2015 after a one-year stint as vice president for entrepreneurial ventures.
          •  Special Observance of the Copley-Thaw Hall Centennial, 2 p.m.
          •  150th Anniversary Kickoff Event, 3:30 p.m., S.D. Strong Distilling (within the Parkville Commercial Underground)
          •  Park University Athletics Wall of Honor Induction Banquet and Unveiling, 6:30 p.m., Park Distance Learning Conference Center. Tickets are $35 per person.

Saturday, Sept. 15
          •  Pirate Storytelling, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Norrington Center
          •  Women’s soccer and men’s soccer matches vs. Lindenwood University-Belleville, Julian Field. Admission — $5 general admission; $3 for senior citizens; $2 active military and Park University alumni; Park students/faculty/staff admitted free with valid Park ID card.
                 o  Women’s match, noon
                 o  Men’s match, 2:15 p.m.
                 o  Crowning of Homecoming Royalty, halftime of men’s match, approximately 3 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the Alumni Association Alumni Awards luncheon, Wall of Honor banquet and other events, visit www.park.edu/homecoming or contact the University’s Office of Alumni Relations at alumnioffice@park.edu / (816) 584-6209.