The Crow’s Nest — October 4, 2024
Pirates, Buccaneers Athletic Teams Honored by NAIA
Pirates, Buccaneers Athletic Teams Honored by NAIAPark University athletic teams at the Parkville (Mo.) Campus and Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus from the 2023-24 academic year were recognized by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics on Sept. 16 as part of the NAIA’s National Awards Day.
Thirty-three Park University athletic programs — 15 from the Parkville Campus and 17 from the Gilbert Campus — earned NAIA Scholar Team Awards. The honor recognizes teams that achieve a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the nominating institution. Leading the way for the Parkville Campus was the women’s cross country team with a combined grade point average of 3.67. Other Parkville Campus teams above a 3.5 combined GPA was women’s beach volleyball (3.59) and women’s volleyball (3.55). The Gilbert Campus was also led by its women’s cross country team with a 3.71 GPA, while the women’s outdoor track and field team had a 3.67 GPA. The complete list of teams that were recognized can be viewed at naia.org/general/2024-25/files/Institution_Scholar-Team_Sorted.pdf.
Park Political Science Experts to Present Discussion on U.S Presidential Election Implications
Park Political Science Experts to Present Discussion on U.S Presidential Election ImplicationsJust six days prior to the 2024 presidential election, the results of which could impact issues such as the economy, health care, immigration and foreign policy, two Park University political science experts will hold a discussion on “The 2024 U.S. General Election: Public Policy Implications in January 2025” on Wednesday, Oct. 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Jenkin and Barbara David Theater within Alumni Hall on the University’s flagship Parkville Campus. The event is open to the public and will also be livestreamed at parkumedia.com.
While much of the focus in the mainstream media centers on the “horse race” aspect of the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump also present widely different visions for the country. Domestically, economic and social policy could look vastly different, from inflation to abortion. Internationally, conflict still rages in Gaza, Ukraine and Lebanon. Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, and Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., who served as associate professor of political science and graduate program director for Park’s national security studies program before transitioning to the role of senior director for strategic initiatives and communications, and special assistant to the president for governance in August, will address these issues and more. At the conclusion of their presentation, they will take questions from the audience. For more information, visit park.edu/news/presidential-election-implications.
Fishburn Archives Hosting Open House on Oct. 16
In commemoration of National Archives and National Missionary Month, Park University’s Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections, is hosting an open house for Park students, faculty and staff on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Fishburn Archives home, room MA 810 on the University’s flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus. The space is located in the Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground between the 6th Street entrance to the underground and offices for athletics coaches and staff. Refreshments will be provided.
The open house will feature exhibits highlighting some of the Fishburn Archives 200 Bibles, artifacts donated by missionary alumni dating back to 1888, artifacts related to Chesnut I and Chesnut II resident halls, and Dr. Eleanor Chesnut, an 1888 graduate who was massacred in 1905 during a medical mission in China.
Park ICM Pianist Ilya Shmukler to Perform First Kansas City Concert Since Summer Victory
Park University International Center for Music graduate student Ilya Shmukler, who dazzled the jury and audience as the winner of the Concours Géza Anda Piano Competition in Zurich, Switzerland, earlier this summer, will perform his first concert in Kansas City since that victory on Saturday, Oct. 5. The performance will take place at the 1900 Building in Mission Woods, Kan., starting at 7:30 p.m.
Shmukler, who also won four additional prizes at the Zurich event, is no stranger to competing on the international stage. The 29-year-old has participated twice in one of the renowned international music contests — the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. In 2017, prior to becoming a Park ICM student, Shmukler advanced to the Cliburn’s quarterfinal round. At the 2022 Cliburn (the quadrennial competition was delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Shmukler was one of six finalists and earned an additional prize for “Best Performance of a Mozart Concerto.” In recent years, Shmukler has also won the top prize at the Wideman International Piano Competition in Shreveport, La., the Lewisville (Texas) Lake Symphony International Competition, the Artist Presentation Society competition in St. Louis and the Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition in Tokyo.
Tickets for the concert (before fees) are $30 for the general public and $10 for students, and are available through Eventbrite. For more information about the concert, visit park.edu/news/shmukler-concert-2024.
The next performance in the Park ICM 2024-25 season will be a recital by students in Stanislav Ioudenitch’s piano studio on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the 1900 Building. Students scheduled to perform include Shmukler, Yangrui Cai, Jiarui Cheng, Tatiana Dorokhova and Ali Mammadoff. For more information, including tickets, visit park.edu/news/icm-piano-studio-concert-2024.
The ICM will also host two concerts in early November. On Friday, Nov. 1, the Park ICM Orchestra will hold its fall concert with guest conductor Laura Jackson in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the Parkville (Mo.) Campus. On Thursday, Nov. 14, students in the ICM’s violin, viola and cello studios will perform a recital at the 1900 Building in Mission Woods, Kan. In addition, ICM graduate student Diyorbek Nortojiev, cellist, will perform a recital on Thursday, Oct. 17, starting at 7 p.m. in the Chapel.
Park University to Host Annual Fright Night Event on Oct. 24
Fright Night, Park University’s annual Halloween celebration, will be held Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Copley Quad residence hall on the University’s flagship Parkville Campus, from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission to the event is free and open to the public, and children of all ages are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costume. Fright Night will include trick-or-treating for children throughout the residence hall and booths will be set up for face painting, crafts and carnival-style games. Numerous Park University student organizations, departments and offices will sponsor booths with activities, contests and events for everyone in attendance. Parking for the event will be available in Lot N adjacent to the University’s Sixth Street entrance next to Julian Field (soccer field). For more information, contact Alyssa Acuna, associate director of student engagement and inclusion, at alyssa.acuna@park.edu / (816) 584-6520.
Deadline Approaching to Submit Ideas for Park University’s 150th Anniversary
As part of Park University’s 150th anniversary during the 2025 calendar year, the University’s Vision 2025 Priority 5 Strategic Impact Group (Fundraising and Support) is seeking ideas for events and activities for the yearlong celebration. Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to submit ideas at https://form.jotform.com/240813867038158 no later than Thursday, Oct. 31, providing as much detail as possible, including proposed name for the event, a general overview, target audience, estimated resources (including budget, staffing, communications/marketing, event management, etc.) and support documentation. Questions? Contact Jenny Keane, director of alumni engagement and planned giving, and Priority 5 co-chair, at jenny.keane@park.edu.
Park University’s Clery Report Available
Every year, Park University publishes its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Safety Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Report). This document provides local crime statistics, details the University’s regulations and procedures for emergency response, and lists on- and off- campus resources for safety assistance. All colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs are required to share this data with the public. Park University provides this information beyond simply obeying the rules and regulations, and hopes that doing so demonstrates Park’s commitment to the wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, business tenants and visitors.
The Clery Report for the 2023 calendar year has been posted at park.edu/about-park/campus-safety/clery-reports and includes reports for every Park campus across the country. The report is also available in printed form upon request by contacting the Office of Campus Safety at campussafety@park.edu / (816) 584-6444.
Faculty, Staff, Student News
Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, presented a talk on “Constitutional Convention: How are Voting Rights Affected?” for the League of Women Voters of Johnson County (Kan.) on Sept. 14. In his talk, Harris explained that Article V of the U.S. Constitution permits states to request a constitutional convention. Yet, in the history of the country, this has never happened. Harris discussed how many states need to make such a request, how they go about doing so and what a constitutional convention look like. The talk was presented as part of Park University’s Constitution Day programming. Also known as Citizenship Day, Constitution Day is federally mandated for all institutions of higher education that receive federal funding. The legislation was enacted in 2004 and implemented by the U.S. Department of Education in 2005. It celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens.
Tatiana Dorokhova, a graduate piano student in Park University’s International Center for Music, placed second in the piano section of the 2024 George Enescu International Competition, held Sept. 13-22 in Bucharest, Romania. Dorokhova won a 10,000 EUR prize (approximately $11,125), as well as a 2,000 EUR (approximately $2,225) prize for the best performance of an imposed work. Fellow ICM graduate student Yangrui Cai was also one of the six finalists along with Dorokhova in the event, but did not finish in the top three. Watch Dorokhova’s finals performance at concurs.festivalenescu.ro/livestream (starts at approximately 13:35).
Toni Bland, Ed.D., adjunct instructor of criminal justice administration, authored an article on “Are You Paving the Way for Future Female Leaders in Law Enforcement?” that was published on Sept. 4 on the Police1.com website.
Hank Roehrich, professor of management and marketing, presented a paper on “Strategic Approach to Confronting the Challenges in Overcoming Faculty Burnout and Fatigue” (pages 1-7) at the Marketing Management Association’s fall conference in Santa Fe, N.M., in mid-September. The paper was co-authored by his wife, Julie Grabanski, Ph.D., and former Park faculty member Nicolas Miceli, Ph.D. Roehrich was also a panelist for the session on “First Time Teaching Tips.”
Park in the News
A feature story on pianist Behzod Abduraimov, Park University International Center for Music artist-in-residence, and Shah Sadikov, ’12, NAVO Arts conductor, founder and chief executive officer, appeared in the September/October edition of KC Studio magazine (page 122).
Abduraimov participated in an interview that aired on KWJC-FM (Classical KC) in Kansas City on Sept. 20.
A story about Sadikov and NAVO Arts was published in The Independent, Kansas City’s journal of society, on Sept. 25.
A story about Yumi Hernandez-Hohm, ’02, being appointed as the senior marketing coordinator at the St. Louis headquarters of KAI, a planning, engineering and construction firm, appeared on the School Construction News website on Sept. 5.
Ricky Godbolt, ’93, recipient of the 2024 Park University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award, was featured in the Magnolia (Ark.) Banner-News on Sept. 7 related to his award.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, participated in a nearly 30-minute live discussion on KCUR-FM’s “Up To Date” in Kansas City on Sept. 11 related to the previous night’s presidential debate.
Also on Sept. 11, Harris was interviewed for stories that aired on KCTV in Kansas City related to celebrity political endorsements and if they make a difference, following Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris.
On Sept. 17, Harris was interviewed for stories that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City related to opposition forming on a sports wagering measure that will be on the ballot in Missouri in November. Similar stories also aired on KTVI-TV in St. Louis and on KTMJ-TV in Topeka, Kan.
That same day, Harris was interviewed by RTVI, a Russian-language television network based in New York City, about new voter registration.
Harris was interviewed for stories that aired on KCTV in Kansas City on Sept. 22 related to the Missouri Supreme Court releasing opinions that put Amendment 3 on the ballot in November.
On Sept. 26, Harris was interviewed for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City related to polling in the Missouri U.S. Senate race.
Harris was interviewed for a story that was published in The Kansas City Star on Sept. 30 related to the race for sheriff in Johnson County, Kan., as the county has not elected a Democratic sheriff in 96 years.
A performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “Three Movements from Petrushka” by pianist Ilya Shmukler, Park University International Center for Music graduate student, that was recorded during the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022, aired on American Public Media’s “Performance Today” program on radio stations across the country in mid-September.
A review of a concert on Aug. 24 in St. Louis by Shmukler appeared on the KDHX radio website on Sept. 12.
Park University was featured in a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City on Sept. 16 as the University hosted a poverty simulation event. Two students, Joazee (Smith) Jarvis, senior middle school education/language arts major, and Cierra Wilhoite, senior social work major, were interviewed for the story. In addition, the Platte County (Mo.) Landmark published a story about the event on Sept. 19. Nikki Pauls DeSimone, assistant professor of social work, Salvador Aleman, senior elementary education major, Cooper Brading, freshman elementary education major, Sydney Duffett, senior social work major, and Velma Adams, graduate student in the Master of Education program, were interviewed for the story.
A feature story about Adam Shirley, ’15, who was named the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan for September, appeared on the Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer team) website on Sept. 19. The Sporting Samaritan program highlights teachers and students who make a positive impact on their schools and communities. Shirley is a forensic science teacher at Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Northwest High School.
Sebastian James (Anderson), ’16, MBA ’18, was featured in a story that was published on the Startland News website in Kansas City on Sept. 19. James, who toured the country as the drummer for the Nigel Dupree Band, has launched a solo career. His first two singles, “American Made” and “When We Were Young,” have landed on separate top 40 charts. His debut album, “Old School Cool,” is set be released on Friday, Oct. 4.
Sarah Doran, ’19, a U.S. Army veteran and children’s book author, was featured on the Lansing (Kan.) School District website on Sept. 24 as part of an alumni spotlight.
As part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s “Medal of Honor Monday,” a weekly series which highlights the more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients, George S. Robb, a 1912 graduate of Park University (then Park College), was featured. Robb, who is the namesake of the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War on the University’s flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus, received the Medal of Honor in 1919.
ECCO Select, an IT talent acquisition and advisory consulting company in Kansas City, Mo., led by Jeanette Prenger, ’09, founder/chief executive officer, and a former chair of Park University’s Board of Trustees, was ranked No. 7 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of top Kansas City area women-owned businesses, ranked by 2023 revenue, in the publication’s Aug. 29 edition. ECCO Select also ranked No. 5 on Ingram’s, a Kansas City business magazine, list of top Kansas City area minority-owned businesses, ranked by 2023 gross revenue.
Recent Park University rankings:
• U.S. News & World Report announced its 2025 Best Colleges rankings on Sept. 24. Park rankings included: Best Regional Universities – Midwest, No. 149 (tie); Top Performers on Social Mobility (Midwest), No. 162; Most International Students (Midwest), No. 60 (tie); Least Debt (Midwest), No. 61; Economic Diversity (Midwest), No. 69; First-Year Retention Rate (Midwest), No. 152 (tie); Best Public Affairs Graduate Programs, No. 191 (tie); Best Social Work Graduate Programs, No. 304 (tie).
• Park was ranked No. 3 by Forbes Advisor on its “Best Online Educational Technology Master’s Degrees of 2024” list.
• Research.com ranked Park No. 5 on its “2024 Best Online Psychology Degree Programs in America” list and No. 67 on its “2024 Best Online College Programs in America” list.
• Park was ranked by SmartyPal No. 14 on its “25 Best Online Construction Management Degree Programs” and No. 17 on its “25 Best Online Logistics Degrees” list, both for 2024.
• Park was ranked No. 10 on EduMed.org’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology” list.
Upcoming Events
(All events are Central time and on the flagship Parkville [Mo.] Campus unless noted)
• Through October 31 — Art Exhibit: “Studio Illustration: Page Studio 24,” by Cody Page, Campanella Gallery (Norrington Center)
• October 5 — International Center for Music Concert: Pianist Ilya Shmukler, 7:30 p.m., 1900 Building, Mission Woods, Kan.
• October 6 — Fall I Term Ends
• October 7-13 — Fall Recess (no classes held nationwide; all University offices nationwide open)
• October 14 — Fall II Classes Begin
• October 14 — Park University Golf Scramble, 10 a.m., The National Golf Club of Kansas City
• October 16 — Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections Open House, 10 a.m.-noon, MA 810 (adjacent to 6th Street entrance)
• October 17 — International Center for Music Graduate Student Recital: Cellist Diyorbek Nortojiev, with Collaborative Pianist Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, 7 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• October 18 — Austin (Texas) Campus Commencement Ceremony, 7 p.m., Austin Stone Northwest Campus Auditorium
• October 24 — Fright Night, 6-8 p.m., Copley Quad Residence Hall
• October 24 — International Center for Music Concert: Stanislav Ioudenitch Piano Studio, 7:30 p.m., 1900 Building, Mission Woods, Kan.
• October 30 — “The 2024 U.S. General Election: Public Policy Implications in January 2025,” with Dr. Matt Harris and Dr. Jack MacLennan, 6:30 p.m., David Theater (Alumni Hall)
• November 1 — International Center for Music Concert: ICM Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
• November 2 — Columbus (Ohio) Campus / Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Campus Commencement Ceremony, 9 a.m., Ohio History Center, Columbus
• November 11 — Veteran’s Day Holiday
• November 14 — International Center for Music Concert: ICM Strings Studios, 7:30 p.m., 1900 Building, Mission Woods, Kan.
• November 28-December 1 — Thanksgiving Holiday (All University offices nationwide closed; Parkville and Gilbert daytime classes cancelled; Fall II classes held as scheduled)
To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics and student life, visit park.edu/calendars/park-events-calendar.