The Crow’s Nest — February 4, 2022
Park University Announces Top 10 Events, Stories from 2021
Park University celebrated another historic and noteworthy year in 2021 as the University and its students, employees and alumni garnered national media attention, and earned international, national and local honors. Park’s Office of Strategic Communications compiled the University’s biggest events and stories of the year, and asked five members of the University’s staff to pick their top 10 moments from 2021. The voting was tight as only two of the 38 events/stories on the poll were named on all five ballots and two others appeared on four ballots. In fact, 22 of the 38 events/stories were named on at least one ballot.
Here are the top three Park University stories/events from 2021:
1. In December, Park University’s Board of Trustees announced that it selected Shane B. Smeed to become the school’s 18th president, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
park.edu/news/smeed-appointed-president
2. Kenny Broberg, a graduate student in Park University’s International Center for Music and one of the most highly decorated pianists in the world under the age of 30, was announced as the winner of the American Pianists Association’s 2021 American Pianists Awards on June 27 in Indianapolis.
park.edu/news/crows-nest-july-6-2021
3. Carneysha Mendoza, a 2016 Park University graduate and a U.S. Capitol Police captain, testified on Feb. 23 in front of the U.S. Senate Rules and Administration Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as part of a joint oversight hearing on security failures during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. She was on the frontlines of the attack. Her testimony appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC and other news outlets across the country. In addition, The Kansas City Star published a story on Mendoza’s speech.
park.edu/news/crows-nest-march-3-2021
Voting was completed by Erik Bergrud, chief strategic communications officer; Brad Biles, director of communications and public relations; Nathan Marticke, chief advancement officer; Michelle Myers, Ed.D., provost; and Kena Wolf, interim chief operating officer. Read the entire top 10 list at park.edu/news/2021-top-10-stories.
Wolf Promoted to Chief Enrollment Management Officer
Park University promoted Kena Wolf to the role of chief enrollment management officer effective Jan. 1. As the CEMO, Wolf will provide strategic and operational leadership to a number of University departments, including admissions, student marketing, student success, student financial services, strategic alliances, military and veteran student affairs, and campus center operations.
Wolf previously served as interim chief operating officer since December 2020. Wolf has been with the University since April 2016 when she was hired as the associate vice president of campus center and distance operations to oversee Park’s network of campuses across the country (other than the Parkville Campus) and provide strategic insight and leadership for both enrollment and fiscal growth. Read more at park.edu/news/wolf-promoted-to-cemo.
Park University Announces Fall 2021 Graduates
Park University announces its Fall 2021 graduates. The list of graduates includes those from the University’s flagship campus in Parkville, Mo., as well as its 40 additional campuses across the country and online worldwide. The University had 1,340 students eligible to graduate — 371 students received a master’s degree and/or graduate certificate, and 969 students received a bachelor’s degree, associate degree and/or undergraduate certificate. View the complete list at park.edu/news/fall-2021-graduates.
Registration Open for Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium
Park University’s annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium showcases the scholarly and creative work of students from all disciplines and campuses across the University. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit course work or independent research or creative projects developed with a faculty member’s supervision, either single or collaboratively-authored that take the form of: posters presenting laboratory or other applied research findings; research papers and oral presentations (oral presentations limited to 10 minutes); visual art and graphic design installations; musical presentations; and virtual presentations (slide or video presentations uploaded to Symposium website).
This year’s Symposium will be held Monday-Tuesday, April 18-19. For more information or to register (deadline is Sunday, April 10), visit park.edu/academics/honors-academy/student-research-creative-arts-symposium or contact Patty Ryberg, Ph.D., director of the Honors Academy and associate professor of biology, at patricia.ryberg@park.edu.
International Center for Music’s Stanislav and Friends Concert Set for March 19
Park University’s International Center for Music will host its annual Stanislav and Friends concert on Saturday, March 19, starting at 8 p.m. at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Mo. The repertoire for the concert will include Maurice Ravel’s transcription of “Bolero” for four pianos, with ICM students Sergey Belyavsky, Michael Davidman, Kyoshiro Hirama and Anastasia Vortonya performing. The finale will feature the concert’s namesake, Stanislav Ioudenitch, ICM artistic director and associate professor of music/piano, performing Ravel’s “Concerto for the Left Hand” with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra.
Tickets for the concert range from $7.50 (for students with Park ID) to $50 and can be purchased at tickets.kauffmancenter.org/19264. For more information about the concert, including the full repertoire and list of musicians, visit icm.park.edu/icm-gala.
Center for Global Peace Journalism to Celebrate 10th Anniversary with Symposium
The Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a symposium that will look back on the CGPJ’s accomplishments and a look ahead on the future of peace journalism. The event will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 2, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (Central time). The symposium, which is open to the public, can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/359chbk8.
The symposium will include a keynote address, “25 Years of Peace Journalism,” by Jake Lynch, Ph.D., associate professor and director in the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney (Australia). The concluding address will be on “Reaching the Future Through the Past” by Kathryn Johnston, deputy editor of VIEW, a magazine based in Northern Ireland that focuses on social affairs journalism. Sandwiched between the keynotes will be a moderated discussion on “Peace Journalism Around the World” featuring seven panelists from Cameroon, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Pakistan and Uganda. For more information about the symposium, visit park.edu/news/peace-journalism-symposium.
Faculty Center for Innovation Hosting Virtual Academic Conference
Park University’s Faculty Center for Innovation will host its Virtual Academic Conference for Park’s faculty and staff on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to noon (Central time). This year’s keynote speaker, Tracie Addy, Ph.D., is a renowned expert on diversity, equity and inclusion, and is the co-author of What Inclusive Instructors Do: Principles and Practices for Excellence in College Teaching. She is the director of the Center for the Integration of Teaching, Learning and Scholarship, and associate dean of teaching and learning, at Lafayette College.
Following Addy’s address, Park faculty and staff will present sessions on inclusive classrooms and reaching students through student services:
• Recognizing Privilege in the Classroom, Chelsea Platt, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology
• Removing Barriers by Creating an Inclusive Syllabus, Stacy Yeager-Okosi, Ph.D., assistant professor of business analytics
• Partnering with Library Services for Student Success, Camille Abdel-Jawad, assistant professor of library instruction and outreach
• Meeting Students Where They Are: What Our Students Bring with Them to the Classroom, Amanda Bryant, director of student support
To register, visit form.jotform.com/211926807935161. For questions or more information, contact the FCI at innovate@park.edu.
Park University Students Can Apply for Scholarships Through Command and General Staff College Foundation
The U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., has announced that it will award $3,500 scholarships to Park University students who are qualified and selected applicants. The Park University scholarships are for full-time students for the academic year (the award will be split between the fall and spring semesters). The scholarships can be renewed for up to three years at the University’s discretion if recipients maintain full-time status, have a 3.0 or higher grade point average and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, March 15. Judging will occur during the final two weeks of March and the CGSCF announce the winners on Wednesday, April 13. Park University is a partner of the CGSCF and Park President Shane Smeed is a member of its board of trustees. For more information, visit cgscfoundation.org/alumni/scholarships.
Park University Magazine Now Available Online
The Winter 2022 edition of Park University Magazine is now available online at advancing.park.edu/alumni/park-magazine. With the theme of “resilient,” the magazine includes stories on how Park was able to withstand, adjust and recover from challenges in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, special features on four alumni and stories on 2021 and 2020 Park University Alumni Association awardees.
Inclement Weather Policy
With the recent winter weather across the country, here is a reminder of Park University’s inclement weather policy. In 2020, the University implemented some changes to this policy as it relates to weather-related campus closures and the cancellation of classes, as face-to-face classes now have the ability to pivot to an online format and most employees have the ability to work from home when needed.
Instead of cancelling face-to-face classes due to inclement weather, class activities will move online via the Canvas LMS and Zoom platforms, when possible. Students should check their Canvas LMS course shells and e-mail for instructions from their instructors about plans for their classes. Additionally, staff are expected to work from home in most instances. Essential employees (those who are required to report even if the campus is closed) should check with their supervisors regarding any adjustments to work schedules.
For residential students on the Parkville Campus — the campus will remain open, but buildings/offices may not be accessible and dining service hours could be altered. If inclement weather makes driving to campus potentially dangerous, the University will continue its policy of notifying students and employees by 6 a.m. for daytime classes/operations and by 4 p.m. for evening classes/operations.
As a reminder, students and employees should use their own judgement regarding travel to their campus during inclement weather. It is imperative that you discuss your situation with your instructor or supervisor to determine your options in the event you cannot attend class in-person or work from your office if a closure is not warranted.
If you have not already done so, sign up for ParkAlert to receive Park University text alerts (for urgent University-related updates and/or weather-related messages). Visit park.edu/about-park/campus-safety/park-alerts for more information and to register. If you registered after August 2020, it is suggested that you verify your information and options by signing in to your account at park.omnilert.net/subscriber.php.
Faculty, Staff, Student News
Kathy Howe, Ph.D., assistant professor of literacy education, co-authored the article “Using an Active View of Reading to Inform RtI and Diverse Reader Profiles” that was published in the Fall 2021 edition of The Oklahoma Reader, the journal of the Oklahoma Literacy Association.
Donna (Dong) Choi, Ph.D., professor of early childhood education, co-authored the article “Preschool Education for Three- and Four-Year-Olds in Kansas and Missouri: Reflections on State to State ‘Laboratories of Democracy’” that was published in the fall/winter 2021 edition of the Missouri Policy Journal. The article examines the well-being and education of these children, the need for quality preschool education, its importance and history, and the licensing and regulations for preschools and its teachers.
Nada Meawad, ’21, who recently ended her storied career on the Parkville Campus women’s volleyball team as an unprecedented three-time NAIA Player of the Year and five-time first team All-American, has signed to play with the Volley Lugano club in Switzerland.
Brad Kleindl, Ph.D., professor of marketing, co-authored a presentation on “Epigenetic Memetics in Organizational Culture, Learning and Memory: Expanding on the Darwinian Perspective” for the International Conference on Knowledge, Culture and Change in Organizations held virtually on Jan. 14. The presentation introduced epigenetics as a model of organizational knowledge memetic responses to environmental stressors expanding on the existing Darwinian perspectives of memetic theory. The co-authors were Kleindl’s son, Peter Kleindl, Ph.D., a process development scientist for Amgen in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and his brother, William Kleindl, Ph.D., assistant research professor of system ecology, wetlands, ecological assessment and ecosystem services, Montana State University.
Samantha Quinn, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication, co-authored the article “From the Front Lines to the Front Row: Millennials Teaching Military-Affiliated Learners” for the book The Changing Faces of Higher Education: From Boomers to Millennials. The article highlights Park University and the important ways the University supports military-affiliated learners.
Adam Wilkins, sophomore nursing major, won the college junior division of the International Public Debate Association at the Gorlok Gala event in Webster Groves, Mo. According to Lora Cohn, associate professor of communications, Wilkins is the first Park University debater this century to take first place in a tournament.
Park in the News
Park University was depicted briefly in The CW show “Walker” that aired on Jan. 13. The character “Stella” is attending a college fair and the University’s Pirate logo makes an appearance at about the 5:12 mark.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, provided comments for a story that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on Jan. 5 that looked back on the U.S. Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021.
Harris was also interviewed for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on Jan. 12 related to redrawing Missouri Congressional district maps. He was interviewed again by KMBZ-FM for stories that aired on Jan. 25 related to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt submitting lawsuits against school districts that had mask mandates.
Harris was again interviewed by WDAF-TV on Jan. 31 for a story related to the Kansas redistricting battle, including the 3rd Congressional District.
Bob Kendrick, ’85, was featured in The Kansas City Star on Jan. 12 with a full front page photo and accompanying four-page-long story which calls him “Kansas City’s Ambassador.” Kendrick is the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
A story about Eric Henderson, ’14, being appointed as the deputy director and assistant chief of the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department appeared in the Dayton Daily News on Jan. 6.
Park University’s Pirate Pantry was included in a video story on combatting college hunger shared by Harvesters – The Community Food Network in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 10. Jayme Uden, Ed.D., associate vice president and dean of students, was interviewed for the story.
Steve Wilson, ’13 (and former Gilbert [Ariz.] Campus director of athletics), was featured on the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics website on Jan. 13. Wilson, who now serves as director of athletics at Kansas Wesleyan University, was inducted into the Park Athletics Wall of Honor on Jan. 8.
Gloria Ortiz-Fisher, ’85, who serves as the executive director of Westside Housing Organization in Kansas City, Mo., was highlighted as part of a front page article in The Kansas City Star on Jan. 17. The story focused on climate change and how it affects low-income families with affordable housing.
A story on Abbie Farmer, a senior at Atlanta (Mo.) High School who signed a letter-of-intent to play softball for Park University’s Parkville Campus, appeared in the Kirksville (Mo.) Daily Express on Jan. 19.
Safford Lock, a 1930 Park University graduate, was highlighted in the Mason City (Iowa) Globe Gazette on Jan. 27. Lock was a photographer for the Globe Gazette for 40 years.
Jeanette Prenger, ’09 and a member of the Park University Board of Trustees (and immediate past chair), was featured in the Kansas City Business Journal on Jan. 28 as part of the publication’s “Turning Points” series which examines key turning points — civic, business and personal — during the KCBJ’s 40-year history.
U.S. News and World Report announced its 2022 Best Online Programs rankings on Jan. 25. Park University received the following national rankings:
• Best Online Bachelor’s Programs: Park ranked No. 127 (tie); for online bachelor’s programs in psychology, Park ranked No. 30 (tie); for online bachelor’s programs for veterans, Park ranked No. 97; for online bachelor’s programs in business, Park ranked No. 111 (tie)
• Best Online MBA Programs: Park ranked No. 231 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Business Programs (non-MBA): Park ranked No. 140 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Education Programs: Park ranked No. 208 (tie)
Park University was ranked by the Kansas City Business Journal on a pair of lists that were published on Jan. 14. Park ranked No. 4 in enrollment among colleges and universities in the Kansas City area, and No. 4 in enrollment among Kansas City-area Master of Business Administration programs (both based on Fall 2021 enrollment numbers).
BestValueSchools.org ranked Park No. 3 on its “Top 20 Best Online Logistics Degrees in 2022.
Upcoming Events
(All events are Central time)
• Through February 26 — Frank Hamilton Photography Art Exhibit — “Found: Sticks and Stones,” Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center)
• February 17-18 — Board of Trustees Meeting, San Antonio, Texas
• February 21 — President’s Day Holiday (all University offices closed; Parkville and Gilbert campuses daytime classes cancelled; Spring I classes held as scheduled)
• March 2 — Center for Global Peace Journalism 10th Anniversary Symposium, 10 a.m., Virtual
• March 2 — International Center for Music Concert: Violinist Ben Sayevich and Pianist Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, 7:30 p.m., 1900 Building, Mission Woods, Kan.
• March 4 — International Center for Music Concert: ICM Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• March 6 — Spring I Term Ends
• March 7-13 — Spring Recess
• March 7-April 22 — Faculty Art Exhibit, Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center)
• March 14 — Spring II Term Begins
• March 19 — International Center for Music Concert: Stanislav and Friends, 8 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, Mo.
• March 24 —George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War’s Premiere of “More Than a Medal” Documentary, 6:30 p.m., National World War I Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Mo.
To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics and student life, visit park.edu/calendars/park-events-calendar.