Park University’s Howell Awards Recognize Leadership Achievements During 2022-23 Academic Year
April 13, 2023 — In celebration of the leadership achievements of Park University students, faculty and staff during the 2022-23 academic year, the Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association announced recipients of honors as part of the 28th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards. The awards program, held on April 12, 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.
• Annastasia Bair, junior biology major, Omaha, Neb. (attended Millard North High School)
• Isabella Clark, senior English and psychology major, Weston, Mo. (attended West Platte High School)
• Kevin Fagan, junior business administration/accounting major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Platte County [Mo.] High School)
• Angel Lebron, senior Spanish major, Parkville, Mo.
• Lauren Leners, senior business administration/accounting major, Parkville, Mo. (attended Park Hill South High School, Riverside, Mo.)
• Jack Lindgren, senior biology major, Ogallala, Neb. (attended Ogallala High School)
• Sarah Mathis, senior management and social psychology major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Park Hill High School)
• Jennifer Moenning, junior elementary education major, Oxford, Neb. (attended Southern Valley High School)
• Julia Pind, senior psychology major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Staley High School)
• Daniel Rios, senior business administration/management major, Kansas City, Kan. (attended Harmon High School)
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 Barbara Almeida, senior fine art major, Uberlandia, Brazil
o Megan Townsend, senior accounting and digital marketing major, Omaha, Neb. (attended Millard North High School)
• Juniors
o Joao Friedrich, junior corporate financial management major, Joinville, Brazil
o Julia Jurek, junior psychology major, Glucholazy, Poland
• Sophomores
o Somika Ganesh, sophomore information and computer science/computer science major, Jhapa, Nepal
o Noor Salam, sophomore social work major, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Oak Park 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.
• Camille Abdel-Jawad, assistant professor of library instruction and outreach, Lawrence, Kan.
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.
• Laure Christensen, ’16, and Park University chief of staff, Parkville, 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.
• Alivia Zubrod, assistant professor of psychology, Kansas City, Mo.
Toni Griggs Award: This award is given to honor students 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.
• Manisha Joshi, sophomore nursing major, Kathmandu, Nepal
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.
• Katelynn Harris, freshman sport and exercise science major, Sierra Vista, Ariz. (attended Buena High School)
• Martin Roberson, freshman secondary education/social science 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.
• Adam Wilkins, senior nursing major, Kansas City, Mo.
Faculty Newcomer of the Year Award: Presented to faculty in their first year of outstanding service to the University.
• Thomas Ayres, assistant professor of psychology, St. Joseph, Mo.
Student Employee of the Year Award: This award goes to an outstanding work-study student who is chosen on the basis of his/her reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and the uniqueness of his/her contributions to the University.
• Mark Trump, senior business administration/management major, Trenton, Mo. (attended Trenton High School); works in University Mail Services
Graduate Assistant of the Year Award: This award goes to an outstanding graduate assistant student who is chosen on the basis of his/her reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and the uniqueness of his/her contributions to the University.
• Giovanna Jordao, 2020 graduate pursuing Master of Business Administration degree in finance, Sao Paulo, Brazil; works in the Academic Success Center
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.
• Stephanie Roehm, assistant teaching professor of nursing, Olathe, Kan., adviser to the Student Nursing Association
Student Success and Impact Award: This award recognizes educators who have made an outstanding impact and profound difference on Park students.
• Naomi Matthews, Camp Pendleton (Calif.) Marine Corps Base Campus student success coach, Fallbrook, Calif.
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.
• Kyle Hopkins, junior information and computer science/networking and security major, Parkville, Mo. (attended Park Hill South High School, Riverside, Mo.)
Program of the Year: 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.
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s Christmas Party, which provided an opportunity for students to unwind at the end of the fall semester and get more engaged on campus. ICF is a vibrant campus ministry for students and employees.
Student Organization of the Year Award: This award is given to an outstanding student organization that was formed within the past academic year.
• Park Student Activities Board, which provides students with co-curricular opportunities through educational, entertaining and inventive programming.