Crow’s Nest -Apr. 12, 2019
Men’s Volleyball Team Qualifies for Inaugural NAIA National Championship
Park University men’s volleyball team has earned an at-large bid into the inaugural NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship, to be played Tuesday, April 16, through Saturday, April 20, in Des Moines, Iowa. The Pirates, winners of five national invitational titles in 2003, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2017, are the No. 5 seed in the tournament with a 20-4 record. Park will open pool play on Tuesday, April 16, against host No. 4 Grand View University (18-1) at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, April 17, the Pirates will take on No. 1 Missouri Baptist University (26-0) at 4 p.m. before closing out pool play on Thursday. April 18, against No. 8 seed Saint Xavier University (20-7) at 4 p.m. Should the Pirates finish first or second in their pool, they will advance to the tournament semifinals on Friday, April 19, at either 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. The championship match is set for Saturday, April 20, at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN3.
Park University Student Wins National Speech Events
Hailey Raw, a Park University sophomore majoring in U.S. history, brought home a pair of first place awards from the Public Communication Speech and Debate League Nationals, held April 6-7 in Indianapolis. Raw won the Great Speeches category and the Table Topics category. The Great Speeches category topic was on “Speeches of the Cold War,” while the Table Topics category focused on impromptu speaking skills. In addition, Raw finished sixth in the individual sweepstakes competition.
Raw and Alexander Hyatt, a junior U.S. history major, placed fourth in the Public Forum Debate category, which was on “Resolved: The United States should rejoin UNESCO as a full member.” Lily Ramirez-Burley, sophomore social work major, placed second behind Raw in the Great Speeches category and fifth in the Audible Interpretation category, which focused on the vocal qualities of an interpretation performance. Overall, Park University finished fourth in the team sweepstakes. The PCSDL focuses on communication that would be appropriate in everyday life.
Esports Program Hosting KCGameOn Event on April 13
Park University and KCGameOn are partnering to host a gaming event on the University’s Parkville Campus on Saturday, April 13. The event, which runs from noon until 3 a.m. (Sunday, April 14), will be held in the University’s Academic Plaza, located within Park’s academic underground. The event will include tournaments for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Apex Legends and other popular video games. There will also be areas for board gamers, a Dungeon and Dragons adventure and an area for console players.
General admission for both gamers and spectators is $15. A “Bring Your Own Chair” option is $20 and a 5v5 team ticket is $300. Admission includes snacks, drinks and dinner. To register, visit kcgameon.com; questions about registration should go to KCGameOn’s Nick Engstrom, nick@kcgameon.com. Read more at park.edu/news/kcgameon-event.
Final Year of Engagement Documentary to Highlight Jewish Military Members in World War II
During the 2018-19 academic year, Park University and the National Archives at Kansas City have partnered to commemorate the University’s Year of Engagement, a year of conversation and action on its Kansas City area campuses and in the community. The Year of Engagement Documentary Series includes films that reflect Park’s core values (accountability, civility and respect, excellence, global citizenship, inclusivity and integrity) and inspire community engagement. On Monday, May 6, the final film in the University’s Year of Engagement Documentary Series, “G.I. Jews: Jewish Americans in World War II,” will be shown at 6 p.m. in the Jenkin and Barbara David Theater within Alumni Hall on the University’s Parkville Campus. Admission is free, but attendees are requested to RSVP at park.edu/gijews or call (816) 584-6214. This documentary screening is being held in conjunction with Jewish American Heritage Month.
The documentary tells the profound and unique story of the 550,000 Jewish men and women who served in World War II. The film brings to life their little-known story as active participants in the fight against Hitler, bigotry and intolerance. Like all Americans, they fought against fascism, but they also waged a more personal fight to save their brethren in Europe. Jewish servicemen were also among the first to assist the survivors of the Nazi concentration camps liberated by American troops. After years of struggle, these soldiers emerged transformed, more powerfully American and more deeply Jewish, determined to continue the fight for equality and tolerance at home. Veterans both famous, including Hollywood stars Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner, and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and unknown share their war experiences: how they fought for their nation and people and struggled with anti-Semitism within their ranks.
Annual Night at the Helm to Benefit the Park Global Warrior Center and School of Business
Night at the Helm, Park University’s annual fundraising event that benefits selected University programs, will be held on Wednesday, June 12, at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., starting at 6 p.m. The community is invited to attend this celebration as the University charts the course for leadership in the military and business. This year’s Night at the Helm will benefit the Park Global Warrior Center and the School of Business.
The University anticipates to break ground this summer for a new building on the Parkville Campus to house the School of Business and the Park Global Warrior Center, to be known as the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. Along with classroom and office space, the Plaster Center will include a state-of-the-art finance lab, a special innovation and entrepreneurship lab, video production studio and lounge for commuter students.
Night at the Helm includes a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres hour, followed by a program and short performance by violinist Laurel Gagnon, ’17, and current graduate student in the University’s International Center for Music. Individual tickets are $250 and a variety of sponsorship levels are available starting at $1,000. To register or for more information, visit park.edu/helm.
University Sponsoring Kansas City Italian Film Festival Series
Park University is a spotlight sponsor of the Italian Film Festival USA – Kansas City series of movie screenings. Movies will be shown on Thursdays on April 18 and May 2, and a short film program will be on Thursday, April 25, all starting at 7 p.m. at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Mo. Admission is free. The film on April 18, “Come un Gatto in Tangenziale” (“Like a Cat on a Highway”) will be presented by Silvia Giovanardi Byer, Ph.D., chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages and professor of modern languages. Byer has served as chair and organizer of this event for the past six years. For more information, visit italianfilmfests.org/kansas_city.html.
Park website honored with Webby Award
Park University’s recently redesigned website has been recognized as a Webby Award official honoree in the general website school/university category by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Out of 13,000 entries received from 70 countries and all 50 states, Park’s website was ranked among the top 20 percent by the IADAS.
Faculty, Staff, Student News
An article authored by Mohamed Abualhaija, D.B.A., associate professor of accounting, has been published in a recent edition of The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention. The article, “Roles and Challenges of Technology in Corporate Social Responsibility,” explores some of the ethical, social and legal circumstances related to different controversial research fields, including creating the atomic bomb, human cloning and synthetic biology science.
Park University’s chapter of the American Chemical Society was honored with a Commendable Award at the ACS National Meeting in early April in Orlando. The award recognized the Park chapter for its activities conducted during the 2017-18 year. Greg Claycomb, Ph.D., chair of natural and physical sciences, and associate professor of chemistry, and Donna Jean, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, serve as the faculty advisers for Park’s chapter.
Shane Smeed, vice president and chief operating officer, was appointed the president of the Platte City (Mo.) Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 24. Smeed will be the ecclesiastical leader for more than 3,500 members of the church, which includes nine congregations in the area.
Ben Zibers, director for student engagement, participated in a panel on “Playing Games for a Scholarship: An Inside Look at Collegiate Esports” at the Planet Comicon event in Kansas City, Mo., on March 30. The session was a look at the growing scenes of collegiate esports, trends in overall esports growth and an exploration of current varsity program elements, including scholarships, team dynamics and specific game offerings.
Brad Kleindl, Ph.D., professor of marketing, was a keynote speaker at the Pearl River Forum on International Education in Foshan, China, on March 22. His presentation was on “Business Education in a Global Environment.” In addition, Kleindl was joined by Kevin Vicker, senior director of international education, for a roundtable presentation on accreditation processes and standards for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Students and faculty presented at the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention, March 27-30 in St. Louis. Jocelyn Clayton, junior secondary education/English major, presented a short story “Straws”; Madelyne Hartleroad, junior English major, presented a critical paper “A Good Prophet is Hard to Find”; and Aimee Walton, senior secondary education and English literature major, presented a short story “The Kiss.” In addition, Brandi Handley, lecturer in English, and Stacey Kikendall, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, moderated two panels on “Southern Gothic” and “Fiction: Finding Themselves in Fiction.”
Scott Hageman (left), associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and associate professor of geology, and Brian Hoffman Ph.D. (right), professor of biology, presented research as part of a paleontology symposium session at the joint meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science and Kansas Entomological Society on March 30 in Overland Park, Kan. Their presentation was on, “Preliminary Analysis of Teeth of the Extinct Requiem Shark Physogaleus contortus (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes) as Cutting Tools.”
A book authored by Blanche Sosland, Ph.D., professor emerita of education, has been published. The book, Banishing Bullying Behavior: A Call to Action – From Early Childhood Through Senior Adulthood, is a call to take action to stop the growing epidemic of bullying by people of all ages. It is an in-depth exploration of the various types of bullying: physical, verbal, emotional, cyber and electronic, and the devastating, lifelong effect they have on their victims.
A trio of faculty presented papers and sessions at the Central States Communication Association’s annual meeting April 3-6 in Omaha, Neb. On a session on “Doing the Best that They Can: Local Officials Cope with Political Crises” chaired by Mark Noe, Ph.D. (left), chair of the Department of Communication, Journalism and Public Relations and director and professor in the Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership program, Lora Cohn, Ph.D. (right), associate professor of communication, presented “A Tight Race and New Voting Machines: Johnson County Officials Engage the Community, but Can’t Avoid the Crisis,” and Rusty Norris, adjunct instructor of communication arts, presented “I Heard a Boom!: Civic Dialog Through Social Media in Independence, Missouri.” In the session on “The Rhetoric of Great Nebraskans,” Cohn presented “I am a Man: Ponca Chief Standing Bear’s Persuasive Appeal in Standing Bear v. Crook,” and Norris presented “Red Cloud – Warrior, Strategist, Speaker.” Cohn was a speaker in sessions on “Walking into Walls: Interpersonal Communication Activities for Creating Dialogue and Discussion in a Texting World” and “Creating Dialogue Across the Aisle: Classroom Management Strategies to Balance Diverse Political Viewpoints in the Community College Environment.” Cohn and Noe were speakers in the session on “From Apples to Apples to Taboo: You can Play More than Jeopardy in the Classroom”; and served as a respondent on the session “Revisiting Classical Rhetorical Theory and Pivotal Rhetorical Scholars: New Twists, Turns and Theories.”
Greg Claycomb, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, and associate professor of chemistry, presented a poster and a paper at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting and expo, March 31-April 4 in Orlando. The poster was on “Providing Context for the Undergraduate Chemistry Degree in an Upper-Level Elective Course Titled ‘History of Chemistry, A Materials Perspective’” The paper was on “Standard Operating Procedures as a Means for Preparing Undergraduate Students for Careers in Chemical Research.” Both presentations focused on enhancing the undergraduate chemistry curriculum by creating novel upper-level electives for chemistry majors.
Park in the News
Dang Thai Son, who performed as part of the International Center for Music’s 1900 Building Series on March 23, appeared on KSHB-TV’s “Kansas City Live” a day earlier to promote the concert.
A story about Desiree Spears, ’05, opening an esthetics spa in Platte City, Mo., appeared in the Platte County (Mo.) Citizen on March 21.
Drone video of flooding in the Parkville, Mo., area shot by Robert Hoops, social media manager, aired on various Kansas City television stations on March 19 and March 26-27, as well as The Weather Channel on March 27.
Mohamed Abualhaija, D.B.A., associate professor of accounting, was quoted in an article posted on March 19 on WalletHub.com on “2019’s Most and Least Federally Dependent States.”
Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, authored a guest commentary related to the recent terrorist attack in New Zealand that was published on The Kansas City Star’s website on March 18.
A story about Stephenie Price, ’11, and an adjunct instructor of criminal justice administration, being appointed as the new assistant chief of police in Savannah, Ga., appeared on WTOC.com on March 29.
Tim Westcott, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, associate professor of history and associate archivist, and Ashlyn Weber, senior history/public history major, appeared on a podcast for the United States World War I Centennial Commission on March 29. The interview, which starts approximately 27:30 into the program, discussed the Valor Medals Review Task Force that is being led by Park’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War.
Jeanette Prenger, ’09, and vice-chair of Park University’s Board of Trustees, was named to the Kansas City Business Journal’s “Power 100” list for 2019 published on April 5. The list consists of 100 business leaders in the Kansas City region to know. Prenger is the president and founder of ECCO Select, a technology and human enterprise consulting firm in Kansas City, Mo.
Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, was interviewed for stories that aired on WKEF-TV and WRGT-TV in Dayton, Ohio, on April 9-10 related to the death of Lt. Col. Dick Cole, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders. Cole, who was 103 years old, was the invited guest speaker for Park University’s “Before 9/11, There Was 12/7: Reflections of Doolittle Raider Dick Cole on World War II” event on Dec. 7, 2016, in what was one of his last public speaking appearances.
John Hamilton, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of criminal justice administration, was interviewed for a story that aired on April 10 on KSHB-TV in Kansas City. The story was related to how police officers deal with people who identify as sovereign citizens.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, was interviewed for a story that aired on April 11 on WDAF-TV in Kansas City. Harris provided comments related to a DUI charges being dropped for a Kansas City, Mo., mayoral candidate and how the public may react.
Park University degree programs were recently recognized by various websites. The online Bachelor of Science in Education degree in early childhood education was ranked No. 19 on OnlineSchoolsReport.com’s “Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees” list. The online associate degree program in management was recognized by Business-Management-Degree.net on its “30 Fastest Online Associate Degrees in Business Management for 2019” list.
Upcoming Events
(All events are Central time)
• Through April 26 — Sexual Assault Awareness Month Student Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center) (Reception: April 19, 2:30-4:30 p.m.)
• April 12 — International Center for Music Concert: ICM Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• April 13-14 — KCGameOn Gaming Event, noon-3 a.m., Academic Plaza
• April 17 — Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards, 6 p.m., Olde Mill Emporium, Parkville, Mo.
• April 17 — International Center for Music Concert: Laurel Gagnon Graduate Violin Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• April 20 — Earth Week 5K, 10 a.m. (registration at 9 a.m.), Copley Quad
• April 22-23 — Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium, Parkville Campus
• April 24 — Honors Convocation, 7 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• April 26 — Moody Air Force Base (Ga.) Campus Commencement, 3 p.m., Hoffman Auditorium
• April 26 — International Center for Music Concert: Dilshod Narzillaev Undergraduate Cello Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• April 27 — International Center for Music Concert: Khosiyatkhon Khusanova Graduate Cello Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• April 28 — Northland Community Choir Concert, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 1-31 — Fine Arts Seniors Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center) (Reception: May 10, 2:30-4:30 p.m.)
• May 1 — International Center for Music Concert: Maria Beggacheva Graduate Cello Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 3 — International Center for Music Concert: Dima Estanbull Graduate Violin Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 4 — Grand Forks (N.D.) Air Force Base Campus Commencement, 3 p.m., Grand Forks Central High School
• May 4 — International Center for Music Concert: Anna Sorokina Graduate Viola Concert, 6 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 5 — International Center for Music Concert: Kyoshiro Hirama Undergraduate Piano Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 6 — Year of Engagement Documentary Series – “G.I. Jews: Jewish Americans in World War II,” 6 p.m., David Theater (Alumni Hall)
• May 6 — International Center for Music Concert: Mickael Lipari-Mayer Graduate Piano Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 8 — International Center for Music Concert: David Horak Undergraduate Violin Recital, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 10 — International Sash Ceremony, 5 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• May 11 — Kansas City Area May Commencement, 10 a.m., Community of Christ Auditorium, Independence, Mo.
• May 12 — Spring Semester / Spring II Term Ends
• May 13 — Maymester Begins
• May 17 — Board of Trustees Meeting, Parkville Campus
• May 17 — Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington (Tenn.) Campus Commencement, 1 p.m., Pat Thompson Recreation Center
• May 17 — Little Rock (Ark.) Air Force Base Campus Commencement, 6:30 p.m., Jacksonville (Ark.) Community Center
• May 19 — Beaufort (S.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Commencement, 2 p.m., Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island (S.C.) Theater
• May 21 — Fort Irwin (Calif.) Campus Commencement, Noon, Center Chapel
• May 23 — Hanscom Air Force Base (Mass.) Campus Commencement, 1:30 p.m., Minuteman Commons
• May 23 — Tinker Air Force Base (Okla.) Campus Commencement, 4:30 p.m., Community Learning Center Auditorium, Rose State College
• May 24 — Austin (Texas) Campus Commencement, 7 p.m., Great Hills Baptist Church
• May 25 — Luke Air Force Base (Ariz.) Campus Commencement, 3 p.m., Park University Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus
• May 26 — Maymester Ends
• May 27 — Memorial Day Holiday (all University offices closed)
• May 30 — Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (N.C.) Campus Commencement, 9 a.m., Two Rivers Theater and Event Center
• May 31 — Barstow (Calif.) Community College Campus / Victor Valley College (Calif.) Campus Commencement, 6 p.m., BCC Performing Arts Center
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics and student life, visit park.edu/calendars/park-events-calendar.html.