park alumniad, spring 2007

PARKU N I V E R S I T Y

ALUMNIADSPRING 2007

SM

GROWTH. OPPORTUNITY. OUTREACH.

President Beverley Byers-Pevitts’ Six Years of

Academic Excellence

PARKU N I V E R S I T Y

ALUMNIADSPRING 2007

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DDiirreeccttoorr ooff AAlluummnnii RReellaattiioonnssJulie McCollum (816) 584-6206, (800) 488-PARK (7275)fax (816) [email protected]@park.edu

AAlluummnnii RReellaattiioonnss AAssssiissttaanntt Alisha Coggins, ’03((816) [email protected]

EEddiittoorrKathy WalkerWalker Texas Writer

AAssssiissttaanntt EEddiittoorrJohn Dycus

AArrtt DDiirreeccttiioonnJennifer Hendersonjodesign

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Established in 1875, Park University is a national leader inhigher education, distinguished by its innovative adult degree-completion programs. The University has 25,169 studentsenrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at 43campus centers located in 21 states and Online.

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AAlluummnniiaadd AAddvviissoorryy BBooaarrddDonna Bachmann, associate professor of art and designCathy Colapietro, director of admissions and student financial

servicesBrian Davis, associate vice president, College of Distance

LearningJerod Dahlgren, sports information directorOOllggaa GGaannzzeenn, MM..PP..AA.. ’’9999,, PPhh..DD.., assistant professor ofinternational education,

director of international education and study abroadCaren Handleman, vice president for university advancement Julie McCollum, director of alumni relations Diana McElroy, dean of student servicesSSuummmmeerr EEvvaannss, MM..PP..AA.. ’’0066,, communication coordinatorRRiittaa WWeeiigghhiillll, ’’9900, associate vice president for communicationKathy Walker, editor

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DDiirreeccttoorr ooff AAlluummnnii RReellaattiioonnssJulie McCollum (816) 584-6206, (800) 488-PARK (7275)fax (816) [email protected]@park.edu

AAlluummnnii RReellaattiioonnss AAssssiissttaanntt Alisha Coggins, ’03((816) [email protected]

EEddiittoorrKathy WalkerWalker Texas Writer

AAssssiissttaanntt EEddiittoorrJohn Dycus

AArrtt DDiirreeccttiioonnJennifer Hendersonjodesign

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Established in 1875, Park University is a national leader inhigher education, distinguished by its innovative adult degree-completion programs. The University has 25,169 studentsenrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at 43campus centers located in 21 states and Online.

22000066--0077 PPaarrkk UUnniivveerrssiittyyAAlluummnnii CCoouunncciillKKaarreenn PPeetteerrss FFrraannkkeennffeelldd, ’’[email protected]

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KKeenn ZZaacchhaarriiaass, ’’[email protected]

AAlluummnniiaadd AAddvviissoorryy BBooaarrddDonna Bachmann, associate professor of art and designCathy Colapietro, director of admissions and student financial

servicesBrian Davis, associate vice president, College of Distance

LearningJerod Dahlgren, sports information directorOOllggaa GGaannzzeenn, MM..PP..AA.. ’’9999,, PPhh..DD.., assistant professor ofinternational education,

director of international education and study abroadCaren Handleman, vice president for university advancement Julie McCollum, director of alumni relations Diana McElroy, dean of student servicesSSuummmmeerr EEvvaannss, MM..PP..AA.. ’’0066,, communication coordinatorRRiittaa WWeeiigghhiillll, ’’9900, associate vice president for communicationKathy Walker, editor

SM

See www.park.edu for more information about Park University.

Alumniad is published by the Office of University Advancement for Park University alumni and friends. Sendcomments and address corrections to Office of University Advancement, Park University, 8700 N.W. RiverPark Drive, Parkville, MO 64152, or call (816) 584-6200 or e-mail [email protected].

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Features3 Focus on Park University

This edition focuses on two Missouri campus centers.Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster is home of theB-2 bomber, and Fort Leonard Wood in the MissouriOzarks is an all-military combat training post.

7 International Connection Park remains a center for excellence and innovation inglobal education through partnerships with countriessuch as Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia,Switzerland, Taiwan and the Czech Republic.

10 Byers-Pevitts Stirs Vision into MotionPresident Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., shares memoriesof time spent since her arrival at Park and a glimpse ofwhat to expect in the University’s future.

14 Growth. Opportunity. Outreach. President BeverleyByers-Pevitts’ six years of academic excellenceUnder President Beverley Byers-Pevitts’ leadership, Parkhas grown into a University that prepares graduates tocompete in an increasingly global economy.

21 The Ireland ExperienceTwenty-two alumni and friends visit the Emerald Isle anddiscover Ireland’s Old World charm, incredibly greencoastline and endless beauty.

25 Park and World War IArmy Lt. George S. Robb, ’12, was among the more than50 students and numerous alumni who enlisted in U.S.military branches after the United States declared war onGermany in April 1917. Ten Park men died while inservice; Robb survived and received the CongressionalMedal of Honor.

Departments4 In Academia

8 Support for Park

9 Tribute Gift Recognition

18 Campus News

22 Pirates 2007 All-sports Schedule

23 Pirate Club

24 Highlights of AWE 2007

Insert AWE Registration Form

26 Alumni Section

28 Class Notes

30 Park Mourns

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 1

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LOn the cover:Somewhere on thecover is a tinyMackay Hall. Joinother readers infinding thisUniversity icon onevery issue cover.

Our mission:The mission of Park University, anentrepreneurial institution of learning, isto provide access to academic excellencethat will prepare learners to thinkcritically, communicate effectively andengage in lifelong learning while serving aglobal community.

Our vision statement:Park University will be a renownedinternational leader in providinginnovative educational opportunities forlearners within the global society.

Our core values:• Commitment to commonalities and

differences.• Commitment to community among all

peoples of the world.• Commitment to lifelong learning.

62 >> www.park.edu

When the Board of Trustees selected Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts, as the University’s

14th president, we had no idea we were kicking off the century with a bang! She arrived on

campus in June 2001 committed to making Park the best it can be, and that commitment

has never flagged.

Surely few graduates of the previous century ever envisioned that the University would

achieve its current status. In just six short years under President Byers-Pevitts’ leadership,

we can see our future, and it is bright indeed. Consider these achievements:

Park serves 25,169 students at 43 campus centers in 21 states, up from 17,509 students

six years ago.

Enrollment has increased 41 percent and the endowment fund by 81 percent. U.S.

News & World Report ranked Park No. 2 for Online degree-granting programs in 2006 and

No. 1 among nonprofit higher education institutions.

The University received top, 10-year accreditation from the Higher Learning

Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Park is enjoying international business and cultural acclaim through its Hauptmann

School for Public Affairs, International Center for Music and the Park University Youth

Conservatory for Music and is currently developing programs with St. Petersburg University

of Finance and Economics in Russia and Beijing Normal University in China.

The stage is set for the University to continue this competitive advantage because

President Byers-Pevitts instituted a strategic plan, Explorations & Transformations 2012:

Access to Academic Excellence, which was developed based on input from all constituents

— faculty, students, administrators, alumni and community leaders. The plan not only

drives decisions, but it is on the Internet so these folks can see the future, follow our

progress and know how they contribute.

If the true leader is one who surrounds herself with quality individuals, then President

Byers-Pevitts personifies this characteristic. The quality is most evident in the Board of

Trustees, whose broad range of governance, financial and business expertise contributes to

the University’s well-being, and in the president’s executive staff and their teams, which

have the Board of Trustees’ profound gratitude and support.

On behalf of the 2007 Board of Trustees and the University, we salute the 2001 Board

for asking Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts to come to Parkville as president. We celebrate her

extraordinary accomplishments and are thankful for her tireless work in making Park

University an exceptional name in higher education both in the United States and abroad.

Brenda Wisniewski

Chair, Board of Trustees

President Beverley Byers-Pevitts’Six-Year Anniversary

In Recognition of Park University

Whiteman Air Force BaseCampus CenterKnob Noster, Mo.

OPENED: March 1977

Campus Center Director: Beth Hicks

Academic Director: Marty Harrison

www.park.edu/whitLocated 85 miles southeast of Kansas City, Whiteman Air Force Base is the closest military-

based campus center to the Parkville Campus. Park degree-completion programs are available to

men and women assigned to the base, their family members and community members with base

security clearance. Degrees include management/accounting, social psychology, human

resources, computer information systems and management.

Whiteman Air Force Base is home to the Air Force’s premier weapon system, the B-2 bomber,

and its operations and maintenance crews, the 509th Bomb Wing. The 442nd Fighter Wing, an

Air Force Reserve command unit that flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the Missouri Army

National Guard 1-135th Aviation Battalion, which flies the AH-64 Apache helicopter, are stationed

there. The Navy Reserve Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 114 also operates from Whiteman,

providing surveillance, intelligence and force protection measures for naval assets.

Fort Leonard Wood Campus CenterWaynesville/St. Roberts, Mo.

OPENED: October 1994

Campus Center Director: Nathalie Brech

Academic Director: Kevin Hillman

www.park.edu/ftlwFort Leonard Wood is an Army basic combat training post that serves

all military branches. The post, located southwest of St. Louis in the Missouri Ozarks, is known

for its training of non-combat arms soldiers, motor transport operators, engineers, chemical

specialists and military police. Park degree-completion programs are available to military and

non-military personnel and include the associate degree in construction management and

management; the bachelor’s degree in management/human resources, management/engineering

administration, management, management/health care and management/marketing; and the

bachelor’s degree in public administration.

Focus on Park UniversityPark University provides degree-completion programsat two Missouri military bases.

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 3

B-2 bomber; photo by Airman 1st Class Linch

PARK PRESIDENT RECOGNIZED FORINTERNATIONAL SERVICE

President Beverley Byers-Pevittsreceived the International RelationsCouncil’s International AcademicLeadership Award on Sept. 28, 2006, inOverland Park, Kan. The awardrecognizes exceptional publishingmaterials, innovative administrative orclassroom leadership in teachinginternational subject material, andeffective administration of internationaleducation programs.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Ph.D., received the Distinguished Service Award forInternational Statesmanship at theevent.

FACULTY HONORED FOR ACADEMIC SERVICE

Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers2005/2006 honored seven Park facultymembers — John S. Dean, assistantprofessor of computer science; TimothyM. Gabor, Ph.D., associate professor ofbiology; Brian Hoffman, Ph.D., professorof biology; Andrew T. Johnson, Ph.D.,associate professor of psychology;marsha m. morgan, associate professorof theatre; J. Mark Noe, Ph.D., professorof communication arts and associatedean, College of Liberal Arts andSciences; and Donald L. Williams, Ed.D.,associate professor of biology — foreducational excellence.

Who’s Who Among America’s Teachershonors educators who have beennominated by students from Who’s WhoAmong American High School Students,Who’s Who Among American High SchoolStudents-Sports Edition or The NationalDean’s List.

PARK WINS ONLINE TECHNOLOGY AWARD

Park’s Online Instructor EvaluatorSystem won the Creative Use ofTechnology Award from the Associationfor Continuing Higher Education on Oct.28-30, 2006, at its 68th annual meetingin Los Angeles, Calif. The awardrecognizes ACHE members for theirinnovative uses of instructional anddistance learning technologies in lifelonglearning.

The Online Instructor Evaluator team

includes Frank Incalcaterra, businessassistant professor; Marthann Schulte,Ph.D., director of Online learning andeducation assistant professor; JuttaPegues, Ph.D., academic director andhistory assistant professor; LisaBunkowski, Ph.D., professor of historyand humanities; Kay Dennis, Ed.D.,assistant professor in Park’s Master’s ofHealthcare Leadership program; MichaelEskey, Ph.D., assistant professor ofcriminal justice and School for OnlineLearning instructor evaluator; andRoxanne Gonzales, Ed.D., associatedean, College for Distance Learning.

ESKEY PRESENTS AT CRIMINALJUSTICE CONFERENCE

Michael Eskey,Ph.D., assistantprofessor of criminaljustice and Schoolfor Online Learninginstructor evaluator,co-presented apaper, Developing anOnline HomelandSecurity/Emergency ManagementProgram: Meeting the Needs and GettingIt Right, with Tom O’Connor, Ph.D., fromAustin Peay State University, Clarksville,Tenn., on Sept. 21, 2006, at the 2006Southern Criminal Justice Associationmeeting in Charleston, S.C. They presentedat the panel session on Within andBeyond Our Borders: Terrorism, HomelandSecurity and International Issues.

HSPA COORDINATOR PRESENTS ATKANSAS SAFETY CONFERENCE

Jeffery A. Hartle, CFPS, MIFIREE,presented at the 57th Annual KansasSafety & Health Conference on Oct. 3,2006, in Topeka, Kan. His presentation,Fire Department Operational Safety: CaseStudies, addressed safety practicesamong fire departments in the Caribbean,Ireland and the United Kingdom, includingEngland, Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Division of Industrial Safety & Healthof the Kansas Department of Laborsponsored the conference.

Hartle is a visiting assistant professorof public affairs and coordinator of thedisaster and emergency managementemphasis for the Hauptmann School forPublic Affairs.

HSIN PRESENTS AT CRYPTO CONFERENCE

Wen Hsin, Ph.D.,associate professorof information andcomputer science,presented onelectronic voting (e-voting) at the 20thMidwest Conferenceon Combinatorics,Cryptography and Computing on Oct. 5,2006, at Wichita State University inWichita, Kan.

Hsin proposed an efficient e-votingalgorithm that offers numerous securityfeatures, including anonymous voteridentification, lost or stolen e-votesolution, forgery e-vote protection,double-casting resolution and signatureprotection.

PARK REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDTELECOMMUNICATIONSCONFERENCE

Members of the College for DistanceLearning attended the 18th AnnualWestern Cooperative for EducationalTelecommunications Conference, Blazingthe e-Learning Trail … Forging New Waysto Learn, on Nov. 1-4, 2006, in Portland,Ore. WCET is an internationalcooperative engaged in sharing cutting-edge research and best practices intechnology in higher education. Park wasa Silver Sponsor of the conference and isan institutional member of WCET.

Presenters included Michael Eskey,Ph.D., assistant professor of criminaljustice and School for Online Learningevaluator; Frank Incalcaterra, businessassistant professor; and MarthannSchulte, Ph.D., director of Onlinelearning and education assistantprofessor. Schulte’s presentation,Improving Academic Quality throughPeer Review Evaluation Systems,described the Online InstructorEvaluation System, which is unique toPark. Eskey and Incalcaterra co-presented in the session Growth is Great— Managing It is Better, whichhighlighted the demands of rapid growthin Park’s Online learning. It focused onthe University’s challenges in managinggrowth related to how Park recruits,trains and evaluates Online faculty,

4 >> www.park.edu

In Academia

Michael Eskey

Wen Hsin

develops and evaluates Online coursesand works with key constituents.

FACULTY PRESENT ATINTERNATIONAL CONFERENCELisa Bunkowski, Ph.D., assistantprofessor of history; Michael Eskey,Ph.D., assistant professor of criminaljustice and School for Online Learningevaluator; and Roxanne Gonzales, Ed.D.,education assistant professor and Collegefor Distance Learning Online learninginstructor, co-presented at the 12thannual Sloan-C International Conferenceon Asynchronous Learning on Nov. 9,2006, in Orlando, Fla. Their presentation,Ensuring Academic Quality: Innovations inFaculty Mentorship and Evaluation,focused on maintaining academicstandards, retention of quality faculty andestablishing a measure for promotion thatcan be achieved through facultyevaluation. It also provided an overview ofPark’s Online Instructor Evaluation System.

KISTHARDT PRESENTS AT INSTITUTEFOR MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS

Walter Kisthardt, Ph.D., associateprofessor and chair of the Department ofSocial Work, presented at a one-dayinstitute for 300 mental health socialworkers, supervisors and administratorsat Temple Oheb Shalom on Dec. 1, 2006,in Baltimore, Md. The institute focused onthe purpose, principles and core helpingfunctions of evidence-based communitypractice.

Kisthardt was invited by the MentalHygiene Administration of Maryland as apart of its continuing education in bestcommunity practice initiative. Hisresearch has supported the conceptualdevelopment of strength-based, person-centered practice, which has beenintegrated in many states throughout thecountry and in selected programs inEngland and New Zealand.

NORRIS EXHIBITS PHOTOGRAPHYFROM THE FAR EAST

Lynn Marie Norris, adjunct instructor ofcommunication arts, exhibited herphotography, The Beauty of Asia, on Dec.4, 2006-Jan. 4, 2007, at the UnitarianGallery in Kansas City, Mo.

Norris spent nearly four yearstraveling in Asia and shares the beautyand spirit of the Far East through herphotography. She brought back images ofcolorful markets, sacred shrines, laughingchildren, lush rainforests, beautiful

beaches and funky street scenes.Countries featured in the exhibit includeBangladesh, India, Japan, Malaysia,Thailand and the Philippines.

GUPTA, HAMILTON PRESENT ATCIVIC ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE Sapna Gupta, Ph.D., associate professorof chemistry, andJohn Hamilton,Ph.D., assistantprofessor ofcriminal justice,presentedCreating Agentsfor Change:ImprovingCommunitiesthrough Facultyand StudentLeadership in February at the NationalConference on Civic Engagement. Theconference offered specialized tracks foruniversity presidents, faculty and staff,including topics focused on servicelearning and civic engagement.

CDL INSTRUCTOR EVALUATORSPRESENT AT NATIONALCONFERENCE Roxanne Gonzales, Ed.D., educationassistant professor and College forDistance Learning Online learninginstructor; Frank Incalcaterra, businessassistant professor; and MarthannSchulte, Ph.D., director of Onlinelearning and education assistantprofessor, presented at the 68th NationalMeeting of the Association of Continuingand Higher Education on Oct. 27-30,2006, in Los Angeles, Calif. Theirpresentation, Take the Lead in FacultyMentorship and Evaluation to Make theDifference in Academic Quality, featuredthe Online Instructor Evaluation Systemand encouraged attendees to translate itto their own institutions.

KOUDOU NAMED JOURNAL’SASSISTANT EDITORThe African Journal of BusinessManagement appointed Nicolas Koudou,Ph.D., director of the M.B.A. program andbusiness administration associate

professor, as assistant editor. Themonthly journal publishes researchanalysis and inquiry into issues ofimportance to the business community.

DIPADOVA-STOCKS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARDSLaurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D., dean ofthe Hauptmann Schoolfor Public Affairs andassociate professor ofpublic affairs, hasreceived two nationalawards — theDistinguished ExtendedLearning Leadership Award of Excellencefrom the Nelson A. Rockefeller College ofPublic Affairs and Policy, for exemplaryleadership and significant contributionsto the field of continuing professionaleducation and extended learning for thepublic service; and the DistinguishedService and Contributions to the PNPDivision Award from the Public andNonprofit Division of the Academy ofManagement, for her 20-yearcontributions to the organization. She isthe first recipient of the lifetimeachievement award.

THE IOUDENTICH STUDIOPark University’sPiano Trio, featuringStanislav Ioudenitch,associate professorof music and artisticdirector of the YouthConservatory forMusic and theInternational Centerfor Music, piano; BenSayevich, violin; andMartin Storey, cello, performed a recital onNov. 3, 2006, in the Graham Tyler MemorialChapel. They performed Shostakovich’s TrioNo. 2 in E minor, Opus 67, and Tchaikovsky’sTrio in A minor, Opus 50.

SHEFFER PRESENTS LECTURE AT HALL CENTERDebra Sheffer, assistant professor ofhumanities, presented the lecture Honor,Manhood, Nostalgia, and Civil WarSoldiers on Dec. 1, 2006, at the HallCenter for the Humanities Peace, War &Global Seminar in Lawrence, Kan.

CHRISTOPHER PRESENTS ATPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTCONFERENCE AND COMMUNITYCOLLEGE

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 5

<< IN ACADEMIA

Village Children

Laurie DiPadova-Stocks

Ben Sayevich, StanislavIoudenitch and Martin Storey

Frank Incalcaterra, Marthann Schulte and Roxanne Gonzales

IN ACADEMIA >>

6 >> www.park.edu

Kenneth Christopher, D.P.A., assistantprofessor of criminal justice, conducted aworkshop Oct. 16, 2006, at the KansasCity Professional Development Council’sHigher Education ProfessionalDevelopment Conference. He presentedInterpersonal Communications andConflict Resolution: Strategies forProductive Communications in HigherEducation Organizations at Kansas CityKansas Community College.

PEW, HUMSTON PRESENT ATSHEPHERD’S CENTERSteve Pew, Ph.D., associate professor ofhealthcare leadership, and DebbieHumston, special project coordinator forthe Professional Development Institute,attended the Shepherd’s Center ofAmerica National Conference on Nov. 14,2006, near Little Rock, Ark., to presenton health care advocacy and thecertificate program offered throughPark’s Professional DevelopmentInstitute.

FACULTY SELECTED FORINTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP INDENMARKThe Office of International Education andStudy Abroad selected Jolene Lampton,Ph.D., Austin Campus academic directorand assistant professor of managementaccounting, and James Pasley, Ph.D.,associate professor of political science, toattend the Denmark International StudiesInternational Educators Workshop onNov. 28-Dec. 2,2006, inCopenhagen.Lampton and Pasleyattended a varietyof classes, met withstaff andparticipated in theDIS signaturehomestay program.

BACHMAN PART OF NATIONALFOCUS GROUP Gary Bachman, social work associateprofessor and director of field practice,was one of nine undergraduate facultymembers nationwide to participate in afocus group on curriculum innovationOct. 24, 2006, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Gero-Ed Center and Hartford FellowsPrograms have collaborated over thepast eight years in funding anddeveloping geriatric education curriculumin graduate social work programs.Bachman and other participantsidentified means by which the twoorganizations may be introduced intoundergraduate social work programs. The group worked with the director andprincipal investigator of the Council onSocial Work Education at the NationalCenter for Gerontological Social WorkEducation and the senior project officerfrom the John A. Hartford Foundation ofNew York.

UNIVERSITY WELL-REPRESENTED ATMODEL U.N. EVENTPark had a strong contingent of 14members and four administrators at the36th annual Kansas City Mayor’s U.N.dinner Oct. 24, 2006, at the HyattRegency Hotel in Kansas City.Simona Cibotaru, president of ParkModel U.N., led the Park contingent. Parkwas one of three college teams, andthere were eight high school teams. Morethan 80 high school and college studentsattended. George Belzer, presenter andPark’s co-Model U.N. sponsor, stressedhow Model U.N. provides a valuablelearning experience by teaching criticalthinking, cooperation and research skills.

PARK NAMED TO GoArmyEdSOLDIERS ADVISORY GROUP The U.S. Army Continuing EducationSystem selected Park to serve on the2006-07 GoArmyEd Advisory Group to

discuss program issues and potentialfunctional and technical enhancements.ACES also will establish a GoArmyEdSoldiers Advisory Group to focus onsoldier-student experience with thesystem. In addition to Niki Rittenhouse,technology coordinator for finance andadministration in Park UniversityAccounting Services, the group willinclude GoArmyEd, the Army ContinuingEducation System, ServicemembersOpportunity Colleges, IBM and thefinancial community. Rittenhouse is oneof six University representatives selectedto serve on the committee.

AGNEW-TALLY PARTICIPATES IN ETS TEAMJosephine C. Agnew-Tally, Ed.D.,associate dean of the School forEducation, was on the ETS InternationalEvaluation team to revise the PRAXIS II inEarly Childhood Education. Agnew-Tally is the state president of Missouri EarlyChildhood Teacher Educators andrepresents all educators from theorganization’s private and public collegesand universities. She works with DESEand the state legislature on issues andpolicies related to Missouri earlychildhood teacher education.

BOEHR, KNOWLES ATTEND MIDWEST CONFERENCE ON DESIGN ETHICS AND EDUCATIONInterior design Assistant Professors KayBoehr and Evelyn Knowles, Ph.D.,attended the Midwest RegionalConference of Interior Design Educatorson Oct. 20-22, 2006, in Manhattan, Kan.Knowles presented Developing ContinuingEducation Programs for DesignProfessionals. The paper includeddetermining the strengths of theeducation provider, augmenting thesources of information with contentexperts, preferred learning styles ofpracticing designers, and matchingdelivery modes to availability for thetarget audience.

VESTAL NAMED TO MAIL SYSTEMSEXECUTIVE BOARDThe Mail Systems ManagementAssociation re-elected Linda Vestal, ’94,assistant director of University MailServices, to a second term as secretaryof the executive board of the Kansas Citychapter.

Steve Pew and Debbie Humston

Gary Bachman

36th annual Kansas City Mayor’s U.N. dinner

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 7

AFRICANicolas Koudou, Ph.D., traveled to Ghanain May 2006 for professional developmentin association with the Office ofInternational Education and Study Abroad.

AUSTRALIAIn July 2006 Laurie DiPadova-Stocks,Ph.D., attended the 23rd InternationalConference of the World Association forCase Method Research and Application inBrisbane. The conference, at QueenslandUniversity of Technology, focused onInteractive Learning: The Next Generation.

From Aug. 13-27, 2006, Olga Ganzen,M.P.A. ’99, Ph.D., visited Macquarie andCanberra universities. She also representedPark at the 50th People to PeopleInternational Anniversary and annualconference.

BRAZILFrom June 2-15, 2006, Deborah Osborne,Ph.D., taught English as an InternationalLanguage in Recife and conferred withlocal communities to determine Englishlanguage knowledge.

Eight students and seven faculty/staffreturned to Recife from Oct. 13-23, 2006,for the second service-learning projectsince March 2006. They taught courses inpsychology, computer science, business,education and EIL. Four orientationsessions introduced students and faculty toBrazilian customs and culture.

CHINAOlga Ganzen, Ph.D., M.P.A., ’99, andThomas Peterman, Ph.D., met withuniversity officials and governmentalinstitutions Nov. 24-Dec. 5, 2006, inShanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong toexplore areas of common interest andpartnership. They researched the demandfor Online or hybrid (Online and face-to-face) graduate programs and the processof securing approval for partnerships.

In December 2006 junior Krista Irickreceived the Freeman-Asia Award for studyabroad, funded by the FreemanFoundation. She is in Nanjing, China, for thespring 2007 semester, through the CityUniversity of New York (see Campus News,p. 19).

DENMARKJolene Lampton, Ph.D., and JamesPasley, Ph.D., attend an internationaleducators workshop in Copenhagen (see p. 6).

ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND Michael Droge, Ph.D., and Ed Hight, Ph.D.,traveled to the United Kingdom andScotland from Aug. 25-Sept. 4, 2006. Theyvisited London’s Accent and Acorn toexplore the possibility of programs in theUnited Kingdom. In Newcastle theyparticipated in the Northumbria EARLI SIGAssessment Conference 2006, where Hightpresented a paper, Creative CollaborationLeads to Innovative Assessment.

KOREAThe Office of International Student Servicesand the Office of International Educationand Study Abroad sent Michael Hernandezon a two-week recruiting trip in October2006.

Stanislav Ioudenitch, associate professorof music and artistic director of the YouthConservatory for Music, and Geum-SukSon, Ph.D., associate director of theInternational Center for Music, visitedKorea, where Ioudenitch conducted masterclasses in fall 2006.

NEW ZEALANDFrom Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 1996, Olga Ganzen,Ph.D., M.P.A., ’99, cultivated futurepartnerships with the University of Waikato in Hamilton and the University inCanterbury. She also discussed chaptercooperation with Gibby Lee, president ofthe Christchurch chapter of People toPeople.

CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA, SLOVAKREPUBLICSapna Gupta, Ph.D., and Park TrusteeBenny Lee traveled to Prague, CzechRepublic; Vienna, Austria; and Bratislava,Slovak Republic, from Sept. 10-16, 2006, aspart of the Kansas City World TradeCenter’s 2006 GLOBE program. Theyattended market briefings, discussions withbusiness leaders and networking receptionsin all three cities. Gupta participated in theyear-long GLOBE program.

RUSSIAOlga Ganzen, Ph.D., M.P.A., ’99, andMarthann Schulte, Ph.D., visited St.Petersburg State University on Sept. 19,2006, to continue the Office ofInternational Education’s work towarddeveloping a joint M.B.A. program with theSt. Petersburg University of Humanitiesand Social Sciences. The efforts are incooperation with the Park University Officeof Academic Affairs and legal counsel.

SWITZERLANDFrom Sept. 12-19, 2006, Olga Ganzen,Ph.D., M.P.A., ’99, attended the AnnualEuropean Association of InternationalEducators conference in Basel. She and members of the People to PeopleInternational Switzerland chapter discussedpossible programs and cooperation withthe PTPI Park chapter.

TAIWANIn fall 2006 Park initiated a studentexchange with Ming Chuan University inTaipei City, bringing five students to studyin the United States: Kok Fang (Darrell)Loo, Wei Ling (Linda) Lai, Ying Ying(Lucy) Hung, Chiao Ying (Cora) Wang andUen Ling (Sophia) Lin. Plans are to sendPark faculty to teach at Ming Chuan. Park’sinternational student population includes580 students representing 110 countries.

PARK’S WORLDTRAVELERS

DiPadova-Stocks, dean of the HauptmannSchool for Public Affairs

Droge, provost and senior vice president

Ganzen, executive director of the Office ofInternational Education and Study Abroad

Geum-Suk, associate director of theInternational Center for Music

Gupta, associate professor of chemistry

Hernandez, director of International StudentServices

Hight, associate professor of music and artisticdirector of the Youth Conservatory for Music

Ioudenitch, assistant professor of education

Koudou, associate professor of businessadministration and director of the M.B.A.program

Lampton, Austin Campus director andassistant professor of management accounting

Lane, executive director of the ProfessionalDevelopment Institute

Lee, Trustee

Osborne, coordinator of the English as anInternational Language program

Pasley, associate professor of political science

Peterman, vice president for distance learning

Schulte, director of education and Onlinelearning

International Connection

8 >> www.park.edu

R ent or own? Lease orpurchase? Credit or debit?

Low interest rate or cash back?Anyone who has bought a car,

refinanced a home or applied for acredit card has been bombarded withoptions. Yet the American Institute ofCertified Public Accountants (AICPA)finds that a majority of Americansfeel unprepared to deal with thosecritical choices, particularly involvinglong-term financial goals. AICPAresearch further indicates that morethan half of baby boomers worrymore about rising energy costs,medical expenses and credit-carddebt than about longer-term issuessuch as saving for retirement.

Americans aged 25-34 especiallyface an uncertain future unless theychange their ways. This group’smedian net worth, which was $6,788in 1985, dropped to $3,746 by 2004,despite higher incomes. The AICPAstudy also reveals:• The number of 25- to 34-year-olds

maintaining an interest-bearingsavings account declined from 61percent in 1985 to 47 percent in2004.

• This group’s ownership of othersavings instruments, such as stocksand bonds, IRAs and 401(k)accounts, fell from 65 percent to55 percent between 1985 and2004.

• Americans in this age group showan increased willingness to acquireunsecured debt. The average debtin 1985 was $3,118, compared to$4,733 in 2004.

Source: http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/paltr/nov2006/index.htm

Jolene Lampton, Ph.D., wasconcerned about these statistics. As the Austin Campus academic director and assistant professor ofmanagement accounting, sherecognized the importance offinancial literacy and committedherself to educating Austin youngadults on good financial habits.

Knowing that a business oraccounting degree is not a “one sizefits all” answer, she developed aprogram of community workshops.The 90-minute sessions, offeredduring brown-bag lunches or onweekend mornings, target 18- to 35-year-old working adults with practicalinformation on essential financialprinciples and money-managingtechniques.

Once the program was designed,Lampton needed a project partner.One of her students, Davina Hosick,is Austin Citibank at Workrelationship manager. Intrigued withthe idea of putting her educationand Citibank’s resources to work inthe community, Hosick presentedLampton’s idea to her employer.

A partnership developed, and onJan. 9, 2007, Citibank presented a$1,000 check to Lampton and AustinCampus Director Heather McAllister.

The grant funds 10 financialliteracy workshops throughout theAustin area. Citibank and Park sharea common dedication to communityoutreach efforts. Citibank, a worldwideinstitution, is committed to educatingthe public about banking andfinancial topics, mortgage loans,credit and identity theft and othersuch topics. Park’s core values arebuilt around providing access toeducation for all interested students.

Co-presented by Hosick andLampton, the sessions are for Park

and Austin residents. Fifty studentsparticipated in the initial meetings, at the Austin Campus’ StudentAppreciation Nights on Jan. 30-31.Adjunct Professor Ed Bridgmanhelped facilitate.

This type of communitypartnership, part of Park’s civicengagement initiative, gives theUniversity an immediate, tangibleimpact on the cities it serves. Staffand faculty members are alwayslooking for ways to connect with localbusinesses and develop projects thataddress community needs. Often,those connections are made throughstudents or alumni who work at thebusinesses.

Consider talking to your company’son-site community relations managerabout working with Park on projectsof mutual interest. UniversityAdvancement staff are available tomake presentations to committees ordevelop written proposals.

Introducing Park to your companycould begin a relationship that is a realforce for improvement in your city!

Tribute Gift Recognition

From left, Davina Hosick, Citibank at Work relationshipmanager; LisaMarie Nelson, financial executive; GregGuillory, business banking officer; Shirley Evans, teller;Veronica Chacon, lead teller; Jacqueline Boston, FinancialCenter manager; Kunal Bhavsar, personal banker; BrendaGoodwin, Financial Center manager; Heather McAllister,Austin Campus director; and Jolene Lampton, Parkassistant professor of management accounting

Partnership Leads to Program

GrowthSupport for Park

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 9

>> Alumni and FriendsWho Make a Difference

IN MEMORY OFHarry Armstrong, 1898, and Alice RichardsArmstrong, 1900, to the Chapel TerraceRobert Armstrong

Michael Baier to the Friends of the LibraryHarold Smith, ’44, and Carolyn Douglas Smith, ’47

Donie Baisden to the Park FundMark Baisden, ’05

Robert Barnett to the Park FundElizabeth Bates Barnett, ’41

John J. Blair, ’39, to the Park FundMildred J. Schrimsher

Mary Ewell Bowen, ’42, to the Park FundArthur H. Bowen

Charles Boyd, ’72, to the Park FundDonna Latson Gittens, ’74

Hans Brisch, ’64, to the Hans Brisch Endowed Scholarship

Margaret Gatton Brisch, ’63Rosemary Fry Plakas, ’63Wayne Rogers, ’64

Elsie Brooks to the Park FundKenneth Brooks, ’89

G. Lynn and Edna Browning to the Theatre Department

Frank Browning, ’54

Laura Patterson Casper, ’39, to the Park FundLinda Lee Marshall

Eleanor Chesnut, 1888, to the Park FundCharlene Chesnut

Lolita Nellans Clardy, ’53, to the Park FundGuy Clardy, x51

Harold Condit to the Park FundHarriett Luthi, ’95

Anna Cundiff to the Friends of the LibraryAlbert and Betty Dusing

David Davila to the Park FundAugustin Davila, ’83, and Kyong Ok Davila

Mary Riggs Dixon, ’47, to the Friends of the LibraryHarold Smith, ’44, and Carolyn Douglas Smith, ’47

Mary Soper Dunivant, ’51, to the Park FundAnn Soper Davidson, ’52

David Elwess, ’64, to the Park FundDeidre Bowman, ’71

Domenic Ferrante to the Park FundBarbara Ferrante, ’98

Jack Friedman, ’71, to the Friends of the LibraryAlbert and Betty DusingG. Ann Schultis

Myron Gabor to the Friends of the LibraryAlbert and Betty DusingG. Ann Schultis

Delta Gier to the Park FundJoseph Darby, ’56

Robert Gray, ’88, to the Dr. William Pivonka ScienceScholarship

Sam Potter, ’66, and Nancy Rohlfing Potter, ’66

Charles Griffith to the Organ Restoration andRepair FundPeter Leveton and Mary Ann Offutt Leveton, ’58

John R. Hall, ’50, to the Park FundDouglas Graham, ’50, and Charlotte HousmanGraham, ’50

John Hamilton to the Dr. John M. Hamilton Endowed Scholarship

Floyd Jury and Shirley Flint Jury, ’60

Ola Mae Hendricks to the Park FundPriscilla Hendricks, ’77

Thom Hunter, ’42, to the Park FundRuth Rinehart Hunter, ’44

Verna Gail Johnson to the Friends of the LibraryHarold Smith, ’44, and Carolyn Douglas Smith, ’47

Russell Jones Sr. to the Friends of the LibraryHarold Smith, ’44, and Carolyn Douglas Smith, ’47

Dimitar Kalchev to the Park FundGeorge Kalchev

H.L. Kimbhal to the Park FundWillie Kimbhal, ’95, and Isela Kimbhal

Mary McGrew Lee to the Friends of the LibraryAlbert and Betty DusingG. Ann Schultis

Elizabeth Lerma to the Friends of the LibraryG. Ann Schultis

Mary Milligan Locke, ’41, to the Park FundRichard Locke, ’73

Ruth Lofflin to the Friends of the LibraryAlbert and Betty DusingG. Ann Schultis

Louis and Dorothy Lynch to the Park FundLonie Lynch Horton, ’86

Ethel Lyon to the Park FundAnonymous

Ruth Marie Roach Malan, ’38, to the BiologyDepartmentHugh D. Malan, ’36

Ana Malpica to the Park FundTomas Rivera, ’94

Nicholas Manchion to the Nicholas ManchionEnglish AwardJoyce NevinsSusan Smith

Shirley Stalford Marsh, ’44, to the Park FundJames D. Marsh

Hugh McAfee, ’41, to the Park FundWoody and Louise Davis

Robert McBride, ’44, to the Friends of the LibraryHarold Smith, ’44, and Carolyn Douglas Smith, ’47

Marian McKee Cares, ’46, to the Park FundCharles Cares

Althea McLaren to the Park FundRobert McLaren, ’45

Jack and Elva Miller to the Park FundJack Miller Jr., ’02, and Donna Miller

Willie Jane Moore to the Park FundKim DeBow, ’00Peter Mori, ’45, to the Park FundYoko Mori

Oleva Morrison Myers, ’32, to the Myers Scholarship Fund

Robert C. Myers, ’61

Stacie O’Dowd to the Park FundDorothy Potter O’Dowd, ’39

Robert J. Pevitts to the Park FundSue Miner

Merrill Proudfoot to the Friends of the LibraryDavid Peironnet, ’75

Claude Rader, 1908, to the Park FundHarold Swischer, ’33

Claude Rader, 1908, and Olive Rader, 1908, to the Music Department

Maurine Rader Summerfield, ’31

Jean McCorkle Ross, ’42, to the Park FundThomas R. Ross, ’40

Joy Rushfelt to the Park FundGerald Rushfelt

John R. Sanders to the Dr. John Sanders Memorial Scholarship

Debra McArthurCarol Sanders

Wilber L. Schooler, ’35, to the Park FundMary Dean Schooler, ’38

Marlowe Sherwood, ’63, to the Marlowe Sherwood Endowed Scholarship

Julie McCollum

Lucille Picco Simpson, ’62, to the Park FundClifford Porter, ’64, and Elizabeth Streeter Porter, ’62Barbara Walker Psarakis, ’62

Evelyn Lare Smith, ’60, to the Evelyn Lare Smith Scholarship Fund

Chevron Corp.James Cobb, ’56, and Phyllis Dawson Cobb, ’58Alexander Patience, ’59, and Roberta FehlmanPatience, ’56G. Ed Stocking and Alice Lare Stocking, ’55Charles Wright, ’54, and Mildred Wright, ’56Mary McDowell Yagelowich, ’56Ronald Zimmerman, ’56, and Susan Zimmerman

Lucinda Bridgeland Smith, ’17, to the Park FundStuart and Pauline Smith

Starfire, ’65, to the Dr. William Pivonka Science Scholarship

Sam Potter, ’66, and Nancy Rohlfing Potter, ’66

Armour Stephenson, ’78, and Shirley Stephenson to the Park Fund

Jeffrey Winston, ’79

William Strange, ’39, to the Park FundFlorence Heacock Strange, ’39

Marco Summers to the Park FundAlex Summers Jr., ’90

Lindsey Turner Jr. to the Park FundCatherine Richardson Turner, ’34

Christi Warner to the Founders Day FundCliff Warner

Sam Williams to the Nicholas Manchion EnglishAwardClarene Rosas

IN HONOR OFAdeile Ahmu to the Park FundAlalagafa and Faafualua Tauanuu

American Soldiers in Iraq and AfghanistanPatrick Savelli, ’75

James Bellamy, ’66, to the Physics DepartmentHazel Bellamy

Nicole Betz to the Women’s Softball FundHelen Rudolph

Jean Curl, ’50, to the Park FundWilliam Walinow Jr., ’71

Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann to the Park FundJohn Deryck, ’74

Alston Horrocks to the Park FundMichael Horrocks, ’71

Virginia McCoy (T) to the Transfer Scholarship FundRay Seidelman Jr., ’00, and Sandra Seidelman

Donna Miller to the Park FundJack Miller Jr., ’02

Dr. William C. Pivonka to the Dr. William C. Pivonka Science Scholarship

Ron Cooperman, ’66Art Kluge, ’65, and Susan KlugeSam Potter, ’66, and Nancy Rohlfing Potter, ’66Raytheon Co.Ronald Schwartz, ’70, and Michelle MinyardSchwartz, ’70

Harold Smith, ’44, and Carolyn Douglas Smith, ’47, to the Friends of the Library

Jeraldeen McComb Sullenberger, ’45

Saranna Johnson Temple, ’43, to the Park FundBarbara Fields

Dr. Dorothy Harper Watson, x52, to the Park FundMargaret LeShure Stark, x51

Lafe Williams, ’73, to the Park FundW. Wilford Kale Jr., ’71

(T) Trustee

All donors are recognized in the Reportto Investors, in the fall 2006 Alumniad.If a name is not listed, please acceptour apology and [email protected]. We wish tohonor all Park donors by listing theirname correctly.

Park University gratefully acknowledges the individuals, associations, corporations and foundations that honoredloved ones and friends through tribute gifts between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2006.

Tribute Gift Recognition

10 >> www.park.edu

In Dr. Byers-Pevitts’ six years at theUniversity, tremendous growth hasoccurred. Enrollment has increased41 percent, from 17,920 in 2001 to

25,169 today; the budget has increased123 percent, and the University’sendowment has grown by 81 percent.

Byers-Pevitts is a proven leader withthe ability to stir vision into motion. Shebrought to the Park community an energydefined through renewed academicexcellence, strengthened student services

You became Park’s 14th presidentin 2001, and there have beennumerous changes since. How havethese changes affected the Parkcommunity?We have had a great change in culture inrecent years, and we will continue tomake changes as we fulfill our mission toserve our global community. We are aplanning culture, and we invite everyoneto be involved in the planning process.There have been four major planning

and the fostering of a one-Universityculture that embraces global education.

The Park of 2007 is focused on afuture carefully sculpted in theimagination of those who have investedtheir creativity to develop a far-reachingstrategic plan that will forward theUniversity’s mission.

Here, President Byers-Pevitts sharesmemories of her time at Park and aglimpse into the University’s future.

Byers-PevittsStirs Vision into

by Rita Weighill, ’90, associatevice president forcommunication

The Park University Board of Trustees in Decemberunanimously extended the contract of Park’s 14th president,

Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., until 2010,with an option through 2013.

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 11

What are the core actionsneeded to ensure that the Parkcommunity is engaged andsupportive of the University? As president of Park University, I mustalways be guided by the mission of theinstitution, by promoting that mission toall University members and thecommunities we serve.

When Anne Mulcahy, CEO of Xerox,visited Park, I shared Park’s missionstatement with her and asked what shelooked for in new employees. She said,“We can train our employees to be thebest if they come out of school preparedto communicate clearly and to thinkcritically and creatively. Park University isan example of higher learning that isfocused on a mission to prepare graduateswith the knowledge to compete in anincreasingly global economy.”

Our University culture is focused onPark’s mission and vision. Individualswho interview for positions with Parkoften tell me that everyone with whomthey have met during the interviewstalks about the University’s mission andvision. If we put trust in our mission andgoals, then together we can achievemuch success at Park.

What elements have you integratedinto Park’s culture for faculty andstaff that promotes a professionallydeveloped workforce? The most important asset in anyinstitution is its people. Therefore, Istrongly believe in continued personaland professional development for Parkfaculty and staff. I look for leaders whocan communicate clearly and think

creatively, because creativity is an excellentpath to problem solving. However, the mostimportant characteristics I seek in a leader areactions and words that demonstrate acommitment to decision making that willbenefit our students and move the Universityforward in its mission.

I envision the significant impact thatwill be made by the Park UniversityAdministrative Council, a group createdseveral years ago that includes directreports to the vice presidents. This groupmeets monthly and is concentrating onsolving policy and training issues, as wellas student and employee services. Weview this innovative group as aspiringleaders and administrators. Successionplanning is very important within theinstitution, and we provide training anddevelopment opportunities for emergingleaders.

As Park leaders are identified, theUniversity provides these professionaldevelopment opportunities, and Iencourage faculty and staff to takeadvantage of these offerings. In return, Iexpect them to be leaders in theirrespective fields; I know that they willtake on more responsibilities and willcontribute back to the community and tothe body of knowledge.

Because of the ongoing militaryinvolvement in world affairs, what isPark doing to help militarypersonnel and their families?

We serve our military and theirfamilies wherever they are in the world.We have served the military at campuscenters on military installations since theearly 1970s. We have always had somekind of support for dependents of active-duty personnel. After 9-11 the seniorleadership team saw a need to providemore support for military spouses, and we began a military spouse endowedscholarship that is supported by alumniand friends.

Today, as our students engage in battleand other active-duty deployment, werecognize that this impacts those who stayhome and take on additional roles,becoming both father and mother to thechildren. Often, the spouse’s educational

groups in the past six years. The first, the Strategic Planning

Committee, involved more than 125people in direct, active planning andresulted in Explorations &Transformations 2012: Access toAcademic Excellence, our strategicplan. The committee included students,faculty, alumni, Trustees, staff andcommunity leaders who participated inthe development of this road map toour future.

Nearly two years ago we formed ourMaster Planning Commission, andthat group worked for a year developingthe Parkville Campus Master FacilitiesPlan, which was called for in Explorations& Transformations 2012.

The Enrollment Management TaskForce was assembled for planningstudent support and career services basedon demographic analysis, environmentalscanning for sources of students, and astudent retention plan. Resources forstudents include academic programs,admissions, financial resources, studentsupport and career services that will beavailable to our learners on a “24/7-365”format.

In fall 2006 I appointed a Commissionon Shared Governance. The charge forthis 30-person commission is to putforward a working definition for sharedgovernance at Park and how it can beenhanced at the University throughcollaborative and open communicationstrategies that will ensure qualityeducation and scholarship for our studentlearners. Each commission memberrepresents a University constituency. Wehave a broad representation from students,Trustees, faculty, staff and each majoracademic division. The commission is co-chaired by Dr. Walter Kisthardt, a facultymember who also heads the Division ofSocial Work, and Judge Ann Mesle, thechair of our Board of Trustees TrusteeshipCommittee.

These four major initiatives are part ofthe foundation on which Park’s future willgrow and be strengthened. It is importantthat we continually engage strategicgroups that promote thinking andvisioning about the betterment of theinstitution.

12 >> www.park.edu

goals are put on hold because of financialstrains placed on the family. I believe thatCongress should address this issue andthat spouses should receive the sametuition assistance as active-duty membersreceive. As I said to one of our senatorslast spring, even if half of military tuitionassistance was provided for the spouses ofour active-duty personnel, it wouldpositively impact retention in ourcountry’s military ranks. Tuition assistancefor spouses is a major point in Park’slegislative agenda, and we will continue totalk to Congress about this importantissue facing military families.

I am also pleased that the seniorleadership team recommended that theBoard of Trustees reduce our graduatetuition for active-duty, active-dutydependents and retired military by 25percent in order to assist access tograduate education. I cannot, on behalf ofPark, speak to Congress and other citizensin this country about doing something tosupport military families if we at thisUniversity are not doing our part.

It is our duty as U.S. citizens to notjust take care of our active-duty personnel,but also our active-duty dependents,especially military spouses, male andfemale. It saddens me that many peoplego about everyday life in the UnitedStates and never think about any obligationthat we as citizens have to our military.We continue to seek funds for ourHomefront Military Spouse EndowedScholarship.

What are your goals for Park? We must dream about the possibilitiesthat can transform Park as we fulfill theremaining goals of our strategic plan,Explorations & Transformations 2012, andbelieve that the Park community willadvance the University by fulfilling theseimportant goals.

What roles have the University’sBoard of Trustees demonstrated inmoving Park forward?Park University is fortunate to have aforward-thinking governing Board. TheTrustees understand what the Universityis doing and the need for varying

modalities of delivering education.Whether we are providing Online or face-to-face classes, our Trustees understandthe importance of the University’sentrepreneurial nature.

Our Board, like boards of privateinstitutions across this country, has a greatresponsibility to ensure that theUniversity’s mission, policies and financialfocus remain healthy. Our Board doesthat. The Trustees are always interestedin promulgating Park’s mission. At everyboard meeting they ask how we areimplementing the mission of theUniversity. They want to know how weare accomplishing the goals andobjectives of our strategic plan. Theyensure appropriate policy changes, whichwill continue to advance Park’s 21stcentury higher education leadership for aglobal society.

They encourage us always to beengaged in revision and review of ourpolicies and decision-making processes.Our Trustees are innovative,entrepreneurial and intellectually sensitiveto the needs of our student learners.

Our Board members share the story ofPark University in their lives and work,wherever they go. Many are involved ininternational organizations andcorporations as well as U.S. businesses.We have several Trustees who asinnovators in business are helping directthe institution to be engaged in thebusiness of higher education. Ours is avery dedicated Board of Trustees, and Icouldn’t be happier with or more gratefulfor our members!

Has the University’s internationalfocus shifted in its purpose andoutreach since your arrival? Park’s international focus began in 1881with two international students, one fromCanada and one from Japan. Park’smission from the beginning has beenabout access. Park prepared students togo around the world as educators, medicalleaders and missionaries. Students stillcome to the University because duringthe late 1880s someone from Park wentto their country and influenced the life ofits individuals through education. That

influence advanced to the country’s nextgenerations and created a chain ofstudents who attend the University.

Every year, the number of Parkinternational students grows, includingthose who are enrolled across the country.One of our recent international graduatessaid to me, “I wanted to go out and seethe world. I came to Park, and I met theworld!” That is such an exciting concept.

Our emphasis on international andglobal education is not about juststudents coming to Park from othercountries. It is also articulated throughour student learners who have theopportunity to go around the world andshare their educational experiences inother countries.

In what ways have Park facultyplayed an integral role at theUniversity?We have many incredible facultymembers who are teaching, developingresearch and changing the lives of ourstudents, whether they are teaching face-to-face or Online. A great number areengaged in the research of teaching, andmany are engaged in active research andcreative achievement in their professionalareas. We have dedicated faculty who arewell-prepared through their professionalacademic backgrounds to lead by examplethrough their teaching, scholarship and/orcreative activity. They continue to pushthe envelope, to search out what is in thebest interest of our students, and toidentify research that will prepare themfor teaching in their literal and virtualclassrooms.

I am thrilled about InSight … ACollection of Faculty Scholarship, createdby our Center for Excellence in Teachingand Learning. The publication’s mission is“to connect faculty with resources toenhance academic excellence; promote aculture of reflective teaching practice tostimulate instructional innovation; createopportunities for cross-disciplinary facultycollaboration and exchange; and torecognize and reward facultycontributions to the scholarship ofteaching and learning.”

I see more and more faculty embracing

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 13

our internationalization commitment, andPark is highly respected and recognized inhigher education because of thiscommitment. We have been selected forthe second year by the American Councilon Education to participate in itsInternationalization Task Force, and thathas provided professional developmentopportunities for our faculty to havegreater international opportunities.

In what ways has higher educationchanged over the years?Higher education has been slow tochange. If colleges and universities hadbeen more innovative, this country’shigher education institutions would be ingreater position now to be more effective.We have to remain focused on access,affordability andassessment ofstudent learningoutcomes.

Accessprovides theway for everystudent to havean opportunityfor educationbeyond highschool. Parkexcels at providing access. We are gratefulfor recent federal legislation that providesthe first increase in Pell Grants in thepast five years for low-income students.

All academically qualified studentsshould have access to higher education.We at Park continue to support our need-based students with scholarships andinstitutional aid, and we maintain tuitionrates comparable with public stateuniversities, far below the cost of theaverage private higher educationalinstitution’s tuition.

Park’s strategic plan, Explorations &Transformations 2012: Access toAcademic Excellence, has made animpact on the University’s progress.What are some of the majoraccomplishments? Park has always been innovative andentrepreneurial. The University’s future is centered on all of our student learners

wherever they are located, whether face-to-face at one of our campuses or Onlinesomewhere around the world.

When I gave my inaugural address inApril 2002, I asked the Universitycommunity to dream with me of newrealities and new capabilities and newglobal horizons for all of our studentlearners in order that we could maximize ourcreative, educational and entrepreneurialpotential. Much of what we have donethrough our planning and visioningdocument has led us in that direction.

In that same address I envisioned acenter for technology and studentservices for all learners. We are currentlyworking on a University Student SuccessCenter that will be a virtual space for allof our students wherever they are around

the globe. Over the past

five years wehave developednew graduateprograms,including theMaster of Arts inCommunicationand Leadershipand the Master’sin Healthcare

Leadership. And we really expanded theareas of Master’s of Education, BusinessAdministration, and Public Affairs. All ofour master’s degrees are now deliveredOnline as well as face-to-face.

Our international connectionscontinue to increase as faculty andstudents participate in academicprograms and civic engagementopportunities. It is imperative for theUniversity to prepare its learners throughcultural awareness: through the ability tolead, the ability to communicate and theability to conduct global business.

Our work is focused on completingour strategic plan; however, if we are toremain successful, we must continue toreflect on our past, be cognizant of ourpresent and dream for the future.

There is a lot of buzz about theInternational Institute for GlobalCulture, Economics and

Understanding. What is it and howwill it serve the University? The International Institute for GlobalCulture, Economics and Understandingis a physical and virtual space. Thephysical building will be in a prominentplace on the Parkville Campus and willprovide a professional presence for Park’sglobally connected academic programs.The institute will host major cultural,entrepreneurial and economic academicconferences for global solutions. It willprovide fine arts and performing artsspace to be utilized for culturalengagement and fine arts performanceactivities for the benefit of our studentsand our communities.

Conferences hosted at the GlobalInstitute will be accessible through livewebcasts that will convey content to our43 campus centers around the UnitedStates and the world. These live webconferences will include people inParkville, India, China or otherinternational settings. It will allow citizensworldwide to interact about globalsolutions, cultural engagement andentrepreneurial opportunities for creatinga global society and for healing awounded world.

I believe that the building will stand asan icon for global understanding throughthe accomplishments of the three majoracademic centers housed there: theInternational Center for Culture and theArts, the International Center for CivicEngagement, and the InternationalCenter for Entrepreneurship andEconomic Development.

We saw the potential impact of livewebcasts at our Decembercommencement. A Marine studentstationed in Iraq was presented his Parkdiploma by his commanding officerthrough a live video feed, which wasviewed on screen by more than 5,000people in attendance at the Kansas City-area commencement. He shared thefollowing comment about his Parkexperience: “Park has been nothing butsupportive to my unique challenges inpursuing my degree. I wish to extend myheartfelt gratitude to all Park professionals

(continued on pg. 33)

14 >> www.park.edu

2001Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., arrivesat Park University as its 14th presidentand the first woman president in schoolhistory.

The University undergoes assessment byinternal and external teams.

Peter Soule, ’73, Ph.D., professor ofeconomics, receives a FulbrightScholarship to teach in the Ukraine.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorattacks, Park establishes the HomefrontMilitary Spouse Scholarship to aidspouses of active-duty personneland the Homefront Project tohelp families of active-dutymilitary adjust todeployment.

At her inauguration, President Byers-Pevitts announces the establishment ofthe Strategic Planning Committee tooversee the task forces charged withexploring ways to revitalize and expandcampus resources to better servestudents.

The historical Mackay Hall, one of themost photographed buildings in GreaterKansas City, undergoes a face-lift andother restoration, including replacementof the original 1893 roof with a slateversion, work on the tower, a newcarillon and improved outside lighting.

Park University is approved by theHigher Learning Commission of theNorth Central Association of Collegesand Schools to deliver Online master’sdegrees in every area that Park offersundergraduate majors.

2002The Presidential Honors Scholarship isestablished with financial gifts receivedfrom the faculty and staff fundraisingcampaign. When fully endowed, thescholarship will provide full tuition toacademically gifted students — fivefreshmen, five sophomores, five juniorsand five seniors.

Park begins the acquisition of Fred PryorSeminars, CareerTrack and EvelynWoods Reading Dynamics under ParkUniversity Enterprises, a nonprofitcorporation.

The campus community enjoys aweeklong series of events tocommemorate the inauguration of Park’s14th president, culminating in anInvestiture Ceremony on April 12 in theBreckon Sports Center.

Growth.Opportunity. Outreach.President Beverley Byers-Pevitts’

six years of academic EXCELLENCE

program as an academic major.Ioudenitch teaches in the InternationalCenter for Music and is the creativeartistic director of the YouthConservatory for Music.

The International Center for Music islaunched.

The Park University Board of Trusteesapproves the 10-year strategic plan,Explorations &Transformations2012: Access to AcademicExcellence, the University’s 10-yearstrategic plan,

The Watson Literacy Center in theAcademic Underground is dedicated inhonor of benefactor and alumnaDorothy Harper Watson, ’52, Ph.D.The center serves to help educationstudents and the community. In thespring it hosts the River Read Children’sLiteracy Festival for students to meetchildren’s book authors.

The Charleston AFB Campus Center inSouth Carolina opens.

Park University is one of 14 nationallocations and the only Midwest locationchosen to host the Association ofAmerican Colleges and Universitiesdialogue between university, civic andcommunity leaders to discover waysuniversities can better serve democracy

and help students becomebetter learners. Themeeting’s dialogue for themeeting is GreaterExpectations: A New Visionfor Learning as a NationGoes to College.

Nicolas Koudou, Ph.D.,director of graduateprograms in business

administration andan associateprofessor of businessadministration,receives a FulbrightScholarship to teachfor nine months inthe Republic ofBenin, West Africa.

2004Park University partners with thePioneer Services Foundation to provideOnline education to active-duty militarypersonnel and their dependents,Department of Defense civilianemployees and retired militarypersonnel.

The Hanscom AFBCampus Center inBedford, Mass.,opens.

The College forDistance Learningopens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

President Byers-Pevitts declares Nov. 8“Democracy Day,” using the U.S.Constitution as the theme andinstituting an essay contest for highschool seniors in the Greater KansasCity area and in Virginia. Each year theessays focus on a specific constitutionaltopic, with a panel of distinguishedscholars and public officials serving asjudges. The grand prize winner receivesa $2,000 scholarship to Park or a $1,000scholarship to another school.

The Platte County EconomicDevelopment Council in Missourihonors Park University with the JobDevelopment Award for creating jobs forPlatte County residents.

The Community College of the Air Forceselects Park University to offer Onlineeducation courses to its militarypersonnel.

The Randolph AFB Campus Center inSan Antonio, Texas, opens.

The student-run Pirate Grounds coffeeshop opens in the Millsap Foyer of theAcademic Underground. The businessserves the Park community with a varietyof hot and cold beverages, including thePark Blend, made especially for theUniversity by The Roasterie in KansasCity, Mo. The Roasterie’s founder andCEO, Danny O’Neill, is a Park Trustee.

Yearlong renovations to the ParkUniversity White House are completed,reinstating the house’s original 1916design. Built for Park’s second president,Frederick Hawley, and his wife, Pauline,the White House has served as home toevery Park president since 1916. InNovember 2002 President Byers-Pevittsand her spouse, Robert Pevitts, Ph.D.,moved in.

2003Stanislav Ioudenitch, aworld-renowned musicianand 2001 winner of the VanCliburn competition, joinsthe faculty as an associateprofessor of music. Thiscomplements theresurrection of Park’s music

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 15

16 >> www.park.edu

Park University incorporates a newdocument managing system provided byJenzabar CX and Xerox Global Servicesto help meet President Byers-Pevitts’charge to function as “One University.”The new technology serves Park’s uniquestudent body and multiple campusstructure and assists the University’sadministrative offices to extend theirservices to ensure accessibility to allPark’s constituents worldwide.

2005Park’s Downtown Kansas City Campusrelocates to the eighth and ninth floorsof Commerce Towers at 911 Main St.The location consists of 31,000 squarefeet and state-of-the-art classrooms. Itwill serve as home to the GraduateSchool and the ProfessionalDevelopment Institute.

The Austin(Texas)CampusCentercelebrates itsrelocation to the Avallon Building II witha ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Model United Nations, started onthe Parkville Campus by ProfessorEmeritus Jerzy Hauptmann, Ph.D., isrevitalized. Park’s People to PeopleInternational chapter, local high schoolstudents and teachers participate in theprogram and role-play as U.N. countriesto resolve conflicts and createinternational cooperation.

Park launches the International Centerfor Civic Engagement to advance theschool’s global mission, establish linkswith international efforts and provideinnovative educational opportunities forPark learners within a global society.Erik Bergrud, M.P.A. ’94, isappointed executive director.

Park ranks second in the U.S.News & World Report “BestColleges” issue based onAfrican-Americandiversity in theMidwest Region in2006. Park also ranksin the top 100colleges anduniversities in thenation for minoritystudent graduationnumbers.

Park University introduces itsMaster of Arts in Communication andLeadership degree to equip students tobe effective leaders and communicatorsin the global community.

The 42nd campus center opens atWentworth Junior College in Lexington,Mo.

The Higher Learning Commission of theNorth Central Association of Collegesand Schools grants Park University a 10-year accreditation — its top approval foran institution of higher learning.

The College for Distance Learningrelocates to the Academic Underground.

2006U.S. News & World Report ranks Park’sOnline as the second largest provider for

Online education in the nation.The magazine’s E-Learning

Guide notes 40,000student enrollments in

Online classes at Parkduring the 2004-05academic year.

As part of theguideline for the

future set forth byPresident Byers-

Pevitts, Parkestablishes the Master

Planning Commission tochart development of the

Parkville Campus.

Park University confers the HonoraryDoctorate of Humane Letters to retiredGen. Richard Myers, former chairman of

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 17

the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the 2006spring commencement ceremony.

The Council on Social Work Educationgrants full accreditation to ParkUniversity’s baccalaureate social workdegree program.

Steven Youngblood, assistant professorof communication arts, receives hissecond Fulbright Scholarship to teach inAzerbaijan in spring 2007. He receivedhis first Fulbright in 2001 to teach inMoldova.

The University establishes theHauptmann School for Public Affairsfellows program to affiliate distinguishedcommunity leaders with the HSPA.

Park develops its first internationaldegree program for classroom teacherson the islands of Pohnpei in theFederated States of Micronesia, and onMajuro and Ebeye in the Republic of theMarshall Islands. In fall 2006, studentsfrom three cohorts in the U.S.-AffiliatedPacific enroll in the first internationalcourse, Educational Psychology, taughtby education Associate Professor EdHight, Ph.D.

Park University opens its 43rd campuscenter at Vandenberg AFB in California.

Park introduces its Master’s inHealthcare Leadership degree.

Sprint Nextel partners with Park toinstall a custom underground network tooffer cellular service in the Academicand Commercial underground areas forits customers. Park’s underground area isthe first fully cellular undergroundfacility in the Kansas City area.

On Sept. 11, 2006, President Byers-Pevitts joins with Park representatives,faculty and staff from the Washington,D.C., Campus Centers at ArlingtonNational Cemetery to place a wreath atthe Tomb of the Unknown Soldier tocommemorate the fifth anniversary ofthe Sept. 11, 2001, tragedies. Thewreath honors the memory of all ParkUniversity students who gave their livesfor their country.

TheInternationalRelationsCouncilpresentsPresident Byers-Pevitts with theInternationalAcademicLeadershipaward torecognize hercommitment topreparing students for participation inthe global community.

The U.S. Army Continuing EducationSystem selects Park University to serveon the 2006-07 GoArmyEd AdvisoryGroup. The advisory group will serve as aforum for discussion of GoArmyEdissues, including possible functional andtechnical enhancements.

During the fall 2006 commencementceremony in Kansas City, for the first

time ParkUniversityconfers via livevideo feed adegree to amilitary studentserving in Iraq,made possibleby FreedomCalls Foundation(see p. 19). Plansare underway toconfer otherdegrees to

military studentsoverseas at the spring 2007commencement.

President Byers-Pevitts and Park faculty and staff from the Washington, D.C., campus centers at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

President Byers-Pevitts and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Ph. D.

18 >> www.park.edu

Interior Design Students Design PetwaresStudent designers and architectscreated fashionable pet attire andwares for the PetUtopia II “Couture +Habitats + Petware” event Oct. 6.Creations benefited Canine Companionsfor Independence.

Park seniors Santina King and KathiThibault made a doggie outfit fordisplay and auction at Encompasgallery in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas Cityarchitects, interior designers and firms,as well as local designers and artists,created pet furnishings and accessoriesfor the International Interior DesignAssociation-sponsored event.

History Students Attend Great Plains ConferenceHistory majors Courtney Culp, senior,and juniors Brett Ferguson and HanaThornton presented papers at the 41stAnnual Northern Great Plains HistoryConference in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Oct.5-6, 2006.

Ferguson’s paper was titled HowWould Have the American ColoniesEvolved? A Counterfactual Examination.Culp presented on Cultural Separationand the Captive Narrative, andThornton’s paper addressed The DarkGoddess: The Pre-Hellenic GoddessCults and Their Demise after theHellenic Invasions.

Timothy Westcott, Ph.D., assistantprofessor of history, presented a paper, Iam an American: A Case Study of NiseiStudents Attending College and theNational Response. Ann Schultis,director of library systems, andfreshman history major Brian Moonalso attended the conference.

Park Shares LeadershipCompetencies with Land GrantUniversities Park hosted a segment of Lead-21, a 12-month leadership developmentprogram for senior faculty and recently

appointed administrators at land grantuniversities, Oct. 10, 2006, on theParkville Campus. Participants learnedfrom Park’s model on innovation,adaptation, diverse perspectives andsophisticated appreciation of the role ofhigher education in society.

The session included an overview ofthe University by Provost and Senior VicePresident Michael Droge, Ph.D. One paneldiscussion covered distance educationpedagogy/technology, leadership,innovation, change management,assessment and diversity. Panel membersincluded graduate student Denzil Ross,’06; Communication CoordinatorSummer Evans, M.P.A. ’06;communications arts Associate ProfessorMark Noe, Ph.D.; College of Arts andSciences Dean Thimios Zaharopoulos,Ph.D.; and education Assistant ProfessorEd Hight, Ph.D.

The day concluded with a panel thatdiscussed leadership and its challenges:fostering an entrepreneurial culture,positioning to take advantage of changeand opportunities, and the importanceof diversity.

Park Hosts CERT TrainingOn Oct. 14, 2006, Park University PublicSafety welcomed nine countyrepresentatives and five countyemergency managers from the KansasCity metropolitan area for theNorthland Community EmergencyResponse Team (CERT) search andrescue exercise. Two groups workedtheir way down from Observatory Hill torescue victims trapped in a building onthe lower campus.

In addition to county public safetyofficials, an Eagle Scout volunteerparticipated in the exercise to earn hisfinal patch. All victims were found, andthe exercise concluded successfully.

ICS Students Take Second inProgramming ContestInformation and computer sciencestudents won second place at theannual Association for ComputingMachinery programming contest atMissouri Western State University in St.Joseph, Mo., on Nov. 4, 2006.

Park’s competitors were divided intoteam Pirate, with senior Nick Kreeger,

Campus News

Students Gather Toys for Tots The Zeta Omicron Chapter of Park’s HistoryHonor Society collected more than 350 toysduring the Toys for Tots fundraiser in November2006 at the Parkville Campus.

Zeta Omicron, Cub Scout Pack 348 andLifetouch Publishingcollected new,unwrapped toys forneedy children in theGreater Kansas Citycommunity. Toys forTots is sponsored bythe Marine CorpsReserve.

The History Honor Society encourages research, good teaching, publication andthe exchange of learning and ideas among historians. It seeks to bring students,teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchange.

Students Caleb May, MarietteJanning and Courtney Culp withPresident Byers-Pevitts.

senior John Nickell and junior RodrigoNeri, and team Kidd, with sophomoresBavitha Vinod and Azbilegt Chuluunbatand senior Donovan Thompson. Pirateearned second place, and Kidd tookhonorable mention. Associate Professorand CS Program Coordinator Wen Hsin,Ph.D., is the coach.

Contestants were challenged to solveseven problems in five hours. NorthwestMissouri State’s team of two graduatestudents and one undergraduate solvedfive problems. Park’s team Pirate solvedfour problems. Team Pirate solved thefirst problem within 16 minutes, andteam Kidd within 87 minutes, leadingmost other teams by a considerablemargin.

The ICS faculty “are so proud of ourstudents who participated in the event,”Hsin said. “As far as we’re concerned,these students are all winners.”

Third Annual Career Fair a SuccessThe Career Development Center againhosted the annual Meet, Eat and GreetCareer Fair on Nov. 8, 2006, in theBreckon Sports Center.

The fair was attended by 202students and 56 employers. Afterward,President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D.,welcomed 131 employers and 13 facultyat a luncheon. Clarinda Creighton, vicepresident of student services, alsoattended.

ACM Student Clubs Host ComputerProgramming WorkshopThe Association for ComputingMachinery’s Online and Parkville student

chapters hosted the second Squeakcomputer programming workshop forParkville Science Club students and areacommunity students at the ParkvilleCampus on Nov. 11, 2006.

Daniel Green of Sun Microsystemsintroduced the history of computing andother multimedia programmingenvironments. Students also learned howto use various Squeak tools to race cars.

Park ACM student participantsincluded Online ACM President JohnNickell, senior; Secretary Rodrigo Neri,junior; and Parkville ACM President NickKreeger, senior. ACM faculty adviserWen Hsin, Ph.D., assisted in theworkshop.

The first Squeak workshop,conducted May 13, 2006, taughtstudents programming basics. ACMscheduled the second workshop inresponse to positive feedback.

Library Adds DatabasesThe McAfee Memorial Library has addedelectronic databases, most of whichcontain full-text periodical articles. Thedatabases are accessible for all students,faculty and staff through the library’sweb site,www.park.edu/library/database.aspx, and

by remote access with an OPEN ID andpassword.

Practice Your LanguageProficiency at Lunch Parkville Campus faculty, students, staffand community members practiced theirFrench and Spanish during the fall —over lunch. The gatherings provided acasual atmosphere where speakers at alllevels could refresh their language skillsand meet people. The only rule: Englishwas not allowed. The French coordinatorwas Angie Peterson, the Spanishcoordinator Jennifer Sanders.

Student Receives Freeman-ASIAScholarshipJunior Krista Irick has received theFreeman-Asia Award, a nationallycompetitive scholarship that funds studyin an Asian country.

Irick’s major is in East Asianlinguistics and culture study, and she isPark’s first applicant and first winner ofthe scholarship. Her study in Nanjing,China, in the 2007 spring semester willbe provided by the College Consortiumfor International Studies.

Through the generous support of theFreeman Foundation, the Institute of

<< CAMPUS NEWS

Senior Igor Glisic speaks with an FBI representative.

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 19

Park: one University, 43 campus centers in 21 states and Online

Student Serving in Iraq ReceivesDiploma via Live Feed The audience burst into applause at the Dec. 16, 2006,commencement ceremony when 1st Sgt. RobertPalechek, ’06, appeared on three jumbo screens at theCommunity of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Mo.

Palechek, who is deployed to Iraq, received hisdiploma from President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D.,via live video feed made possible by the Freedom CallsFoundation. His commanding officer, Capt. Nathan Frye,presented the diploma.

Originally from Pleasanton, Calif., Palechek completed a bachelor of sciencein management/human resources (summa cum laude) from Park UniversityOnline while being deployed. He has served 18 years in the Marine Corps and isenrolled in Park’s Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership program.

His wife and three children live in Murrieta, Calif. Video recording of theceremony is at www.park.edu/grads/.

International Education administers theFreeman-ASIA Awards. Since theprogram began in 2000, Freeman-ASIAhas helped more than 2,500 U.S.undergraduates study in East andSoutheast Asia.

Freeman-ASIA Awards seeks toincrease the number of U.S.undergraduates who study in East Asia.Awardees are expected to encouragestudy in East Asia and further anunderstanding of Asian peoples andcultures by sharing their experiences withtheir home campuses and community.

Wreath Placed at Tomb of theUnknown Soldier On the fifthanniversary ofthe Sept. 11, 2001,attacks,PresidentBeverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D.,and Park facultyand staff fromthe Washington, D.C., campus centersplaced a wreath at the Tomb of theUnknown Soldier in Arlington NationalCemetery. See a slideshow of the eventat www.park.edu/executivestaff/gallery.html.

Art Exhibit Honors Mexican CelebrationThe Campanella Gallery featured theinvitational group exhibit Ofrendas:Offerings to Loved Ones Lost on Oct. 23-Dec. 1, 2006. Curated by Allison Pinneke,arts education coordinator of the MattieRhodes Center in Kansas City, Mo., theexhibit is a special expansion of theMattie Rhodes Art Gallery celebrating ElDia de los Muertos (the Day of theDead). Mexicans recognize El Dia de losMuertos as a way to honor deceasedrelatives.

Artists Alisha Gambino, MariaVasquez Boyd and Pinneke created theofrendas, or altars. The exhibit parallelsthe efforts over the years at the MattieRhodes Art Gallery to encouragecultural understanding in other parts ofGreater Kansas City.

Faculty Members, Student Graduate from CERT Training Pat Chernovitz, Ph.D., assistantprofessor of chemistry and physics, andtheatre freshman Michael Andrews arePark’s first graduates of the NorthlandCERT 20-hour course in basicemergency medical, search and rescue,fire safety and emergency preparedness.Training took place Nov. 17-19, 2006, at

the Parkville Campus. The volunteer program prepares

community members to take care ofthemselves, their family and theirneighborhood in a disaster, and to assistthe police and fire departments.

Youth Have Fun with Science and TechnologyPark hostedKansas City’sFIRST LEGOLeagueRoboticsTournamenton Jan. 20,2007, at the Business and TechnologyCollege in Kansas City, Mo. TheKauffman Foundation funded the event.

FIRST LEGO League is aninternational robotics program forstudents 9-14 that helps igniteenthusiasm for discovery in science andtechnology. The annual event presentschallenges based on issues of the day,and teams research, design and build anautonomous robot to meet thosechallenges. Youth use sciencetechnology and engineering, learnthrough fun and hands-on experiences,and experiment with and overcomeobstacles and gain self-confidence.

This year’s theme was Nano Quest.Twenty-nine teams with up to 10members each registered for thetournament.

Founded in 1989, FIRST LEGO Leagueis in 45 countries and has had morethan 90,000 participants. For moreinformation about FLL, visitwww.usfirst.org.

CAMPUS NEWS >>

Pat Chernovitz and Michael Andrews extinguish a fireduring CERT training.

Park Representatives Attend Kofi Annan’s Final Public Address Students, faculty and administrators were at the Harry S. Truman PresidentialMuseum and Library on Dec. 11, 2006, for Kofi Annan’s final public speech asUnited Nations secretary-general.

President Beverley Byers-Pevitts,Ph.D.; Erik Bergrud, M.P.A. ’94, specialassistant to the president and director ofPark’s International Center for CivicEngagement; communication artsAssistant Professor Steven Youngblood;and four members of Park’s Model U.N.Club represented Park. Following thespeech, they met with Rep. EmanuelCleaver II, D-Mo., and Kansas City, Mo.,Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks, a memberof the University’s Board of Visitors. Moreat www.trumanlibrary.org.

From left, Alvin Brooks, Lindsey Deegan, ErikBergrud, Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Emanuel Cleaver II,Vusal Mamadov, Gelin Liao, Salam Lazkani andSteven Youngblood.

20 >> www.park.edu

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 21

Park alumni and friends convenedSept. 8 on the Emerald Isle to experiencethe Alumni Association’s 2006 tour ofIreland. The 22 travelers hailed fromMontana, Arkansas, Illinois, Virginia andMissouri. Some had taken other tripstogether, but most were new tothe group. By trip’s end, all werefriends.

Alumni Jean Benjamin Bell,’53; Bob Bell, ’53; KathyBrogdon, ’04; Lisa Muntz,M.P.A. ’05; Susan Nichols,’04; Clifford Porter, x63; BetsyStreeter Porter, ’62; MarieTaylor, ’84; Tom Troutman,’02; Wanda Croasdale, ’65;Susan Rablin, ’06; and MikeLamphier, ’90, were joined byDebra McArthur, ParkvilleCampus director of academicsupport services, and Parkstudents Alan and AprilMcArthur. A few family members andfriends added to the group dynamics.

After witnessing a breathtaking sunriseover the incredibly green Irish coastline,we landed at the Shannon Airport andwere greeted by our Go Next tour guides.Our first destination was the coastal cityof Galway, where we spent free timeadjusting to the six-hour time difference.

Many explored the city, which is full ofancient historical sites and modern Irishnightlife.

From Galway the group was ferried toInishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands.There we experienced traditional Irish

culture and ancient Celtic ruins, and webought Irish knits, ate Irish stew anddrank Irish beer. Over the next two dayswe explored the area by motor coach anddiscovered that Ireland is a country ofamazing landscapes and vast beauty.

We spent our first day trip on a bus,winding through the narrow roads of theConnemara and stopping to see castles,

peat bogs and other sights. The highlightof the day was Kylmore Abbey, amagnificent mansion that began as ahome and later was converted to an abbeyand girls school. On the second day weexperienced the extreme contrasts

characteristic of Ireland. We drovethrough the stark, barren limestoneshores of the Burren region, takingin scenery that evolved into one ofthe most beautiful coastlines in theworld, best known for its spectacularCliffs of Moher. The stay in Galwayended with a medieval dinner,complete with the “royalty” sharingtheir castle and “mead.”

Then it was off to Killarney. Daytrips included the Dingle peninsulawith its spectacular seascapes,quaint villages and ancient ruins,and the Ring of Kerry, whichincluded Blarney Castle, where wetook turns kissing the Blarneystone. Killarney is filled with horse-drawn carriages, lavish gardens andpubs, where we spent our free timepeople-watching and listening tomusic.

Traveling to Ireland was anincredible experience that yielded

many rewards. We saw where Angela’sAshes took place and where Ryan’sDaughter and The Quiet Man werefilmed. We tasted, felt, smelled and heardso many places in ways you can neverexperience through a photo or movie.

How to sum up the Irelandexperience? Incredible, indescribable,inspiring! Wish you had been there!

The

Experienceby Julie McCollum, director of alumni relations

Ireland

Back row: Cheryl Campbell; Gary McCollum; Julie McCollum; Tom Troutman,’02; Clifford Porter, x63Third row: Wanda Croasdale, ’65; Susan Rablin, ’06; Marie Taylor, ’84; AlanMcArthur, student; Mike Lamphier, ’90Second Row: Lisa Muntz, M.P.A. ’05; Kathy Brogdon, ’04; Carol Redenti; BobBell, ’53; Betsy Street Porter, ’62; Carol LamphierFront row: Mary Jane Headley; Debra McArthur; John McArthur; Susan Nichols,’04; Jean Benjamin Bell, ’53; April McArthur, student

Plan to join us for the 2007 Alumni Association trips, when alumni and friends will visit Poland from July 26-Aug. 4 and Beijing, China, from Nov.1-8. You’ll be glad you did!

The group representedcampus centers nationwide,traditional and nontraditionalprograms, undergraduate andgraduate schools and classesspanning six decades.

22 >> www.park.edu

WOMEN’S GOLFApril 2-3 William Woods Invitational, Fulton, Mo., TBA

5 William Jewell Spring Invitational, Liberty, Mo.,1 p.m.

6 William Jewell Spring Invitational, Liberty, Mo.,8 a.m.

9-10 Baker Invitational, Baldwin City, Kan., 8 a.m.16-17 Park University Spring Invitational,

The National Golf Club of Kansas City, 9 a.m.23-24 MCAC Championships, Bartlesville, Okla., TBA

30-May 1 Region IV Championships, Sunflower HillsGolf Course, Bonner Springs, Kan., TBA

15-18 NAIA National Championships, San Marcos,Calif., all day

BASEBALLApril 3 Peru State College, Comfort Field,

1 and 3:30 p.m.4 William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo., 3 p.m.

6-7 Newman University, Comfort Field,1 and 3:30 p.m.

11 Benedictine College, Comfort Field,1 and 3:30 p.m.

13-14 Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Bartlesville,Okla., 1 and 3:30 p.m.

17 College of the Ozarks, Comfort Field,1 and 3:30 p.m.

20-21 Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.,1 and 3:30 p.m.

24 Peru State College, Peru, Neb., 1 and 3:30 p.m.25 William Jewell College, Comfort Field, 3 p.m.

May 3-5 MCAC Tournament, Omaha, Neb., TBA9-12 Region IV Tournament, TBA

15-19 Super Regional Tournament, TBA25-26 NAIA National Tournament, Lewiston,

Idaho, TBA28-June 1 NAIA National Tournament, Lewiston, Idaho,

TBA

SOFTBALLApril 4 Central Christian College, Park Softball Field,

2 and 4 p.m.6 Peru State College, Park Softball Field,

2 and 4 p.m.7 York College, Park Softball Field, 1 and 3 p.m.11 William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo., 3 and 5 p.m.

14 Columbia College, Fulton, Mo., noon14 William Woods University, Fulton, Mo., 2 p.m.17 Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence,

Kan., 3 and 5 p.m.20 College of Saint Mary, Omaha, Neb., 3 and 5 p.m.21 Bellevue University, Omaha, Neb., noon

and 2 p.m.24 MidAmerica Nazarene University, Park Softball

Field, 2 and 4 p.m.26 Washburn University, Topeka, Kan., 3 and 5 p.m.28 Ottawa University, Park Softball Field,

1 and 3 p.m.May 3-4 MCAC Tournament, TBA

9-11 Region IV Tournament, TBA18-23 National Tournament, Decatur, Ala., TBA

TRACKApril 7 Northwest Missouri State Invitational, Maryville,

Mo., all day10 Baker Quad, Baldwin City, Kan., all day14 William Jewell Relays, Liberty, Mo., all day

19-21 KU Relays, Lawrence, Kan., all day27-28 UMKC Invitational, Kansas City, Mo., all day

May 12 Emporia State Last Chance Meet, Emporia, Kan.,all day

24-26 NAIA National Outdoor Championships, Fresno,Calif., all day

MEN’S VOLLEYBALLApril 12-14 NAIA National Invitational Tournament,

Riverside, Calif., TBA

Schedule is subject to change. Contact the sports information director at (816) 584-6490 or [email protected].

Pirates All-Sp rtsSchedule

Bold denotes games on the Parkville campus.MCAC denotes Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.

NAIA denotes National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 23

GIVINGAnnual GiftsThe most popular way to give is through cash or credit card.These gifts allow the Pirate Club to allocate funds asneeded. Your donation applies toward membership levels.

Matching GiftsNumerous companies offer matching gift programs foremployee charitable contributions. A donation and matchinggift apply toward your membership level. Check with yourHR department.

Scholarship EndowmentsEndowing an athletic scholarship pays tribute to a friend,relative, former student-athlete or former athletic staffmember, while solidifying the athletic department’s future.

M E M B E R S H I P B E N E F I T SContributions are tax-deductible. Contact

your tax adviser for specifics.

JOLLY ROGER: $15 (current students only)

l Eye patch l Pirate T-shirt

CROW’S NEST: $25

l T-shirt l Decal

SWABBIE: $50

l Coozie l Decal l T-shirt l Pirate pin

MATEY: $100

l Polo shirt l Decal l Pirate pin

BUCCANEER: $250

l Watch l Decal l Pirate pin

CAPTAIN: $500

l Golf vest l Decal l Pirate pin

ADMIRAL: $1,000

l Jacket l Decal l Pirate pin

PIRATE CLUB LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP: $5,000

l Pass to all athletic eventsl 2 tickets for annual awards banquetl Preferred parking at tournaments hosted by Parkl Watch l Decal

On Oct. 6, 2006, 16 individuals with an affinity for Park and itsathletic programs created the Pirate Club, the University’s firstbooster organization for athletic programs. Led by AthleticDirector Claude English, Trustee Jinny McCoy and RolandShelton, assistant vice president for development, the grouphas met nearly twice a month to finalize goals, bylaws andmembership levels.

The Pirate Club will cultivate interest in and financialsupport for Park athletics while helping student-athletesachieve academic and athletic success.

To meet the growing demands of competition at a higherlevel, private contributions augment the athletic department’soperational funds. These contributions support the athleticbudget for program enhancement and scholarships.

As an alumnus, alumna, fan, friend or former student-athlete, your support has a direct impact on the success ofthe University’s athletic teams.

Jinny McCoy, Trustee, chair

Dirk Lawson, ’94, chair-elect

Bill Brooks, ’93, M.Ed. ’98, vice chair

Ken Smith, ’94, secretary

Rachel Knittel Slaughter, ’99, treasurer

Anteco Cross, ’96, committee chair

Pam Bankhead

Jerod Dahlgren

Claude English

Johnnie Fields

Elvin Hatamzada

To join or contribute to thePirate Club, contact:

Claude English, (816) [email protected]

Roland Shelton, (816) [email protected]

Pat Fayard, (816) 584-6425,[email protected]

PIRATE CLUB BOARD MEMBERS

Pirate Club mission statementThrough our founding principles of Fides et Labor (faith and work), thePirate Club promotes the rich tradition of Park University and its athleticsby supporting, encouraging and developing the student-athlete.

Julie McCollum

John McKinzie

Jennifer Sanders

Roland Shelton

Jeff Stanley

Max Taouil, ’92

Mishca Waliczek, ’95

Meg Waters

Donald L. Williams

Join the Pirate Club online atwww.park.edu/give

additional features• Reunion tables at all events

• Memorabilia displays

• Class reunion gatherings throughout the weekend

• Hospitality room hosted by the Alumni Council

• The Point will be open

• Van transportation on campus

• Breakfast and lunch served in Thompson Commons, beginningFriday

• Shelter house at Julian Field open all day Saturday

reunions• Golden Class Reunion, Class of 1957

• Class reunions for all classes ending in 2 and 7

• Early ‘60s and friends

To receive reunion mailings, call (800) 488-7275 or e-mail [email protected].

campus housingDorm rooms will be available in Chesnut Hall. Indicate specialhousing needs on the registration form. The front desk will bestaffed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

alternate housing optionsA rate of $84 per night is available at the Kansas City AirportMarriott, 775 Brasilia Ave., Kansas City, Mo., the location of theawards banquet and dance. For reservations call (800) 810-2771;the local number is (816) 464-5613.

alumni association awardsJerry L. Schrader, ’57, M.D., will receive the DistinguishedAlumnus Award, the Park University Alumni Association’s highesthonor, recognizing lifetime achievement. The award will bepresented June 16 at the awards banquet and dance at the KansasCity Airport Marriott.

Francis C. “Pete” Campbell, ’78, will receive the MarloweSherwood Memorial Service Award. Daley Walker will receive theTorchlighter Award in recognition of 43 years of service to Park.These awards will be presented June 16 at the Alumni Associationmeeting in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel.

Recipients’ profiles will be published in the summer Alumniad.

• Golf Outing at Tiffany Greens Golf Course

- Two-man scramble for alumni and friends

- $75 per player includes greens fees, cart, food and prizes. Put your

team together and register with the Office of Alumni Relations.

• Class of 1957 reunion

- Golden Reunion Dinner hosted by President Beverley Byers-Pevitts,

Ph.D., in the University White House garden

• Reunion of the early ‘60s classes and friends at McCoy Meetin’ House

• President’s Brunch for all alumni from classes prior to 1957

Purchase guests tickets as Friday breakfast. Indicate number of guestsattending.

• Class get-togethers; watch your mail for details.

• Friends of the Library

• Campus bus tours

• A Special Evening at Liberty Memorial

Be an Alumni Association guest from 5 to 7 p.m., when Park hasexclusive after-hours access to the World War I Museum and Toweroverlooking the city. Have dinner with President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., and Tim Wescott, Ph.D., history department chair, asthey discuss Park’s role in the renovation of this American icon andshare a video of Park’s first live via satellite feed graduation of asoldier-student deployed in Iraq. (Register for free museum tickets.Dinner tickets are $15.)

• Alumni Association Annual Meeting

- Presentation of Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award toFrancis C. “Pete” Campbell, ’78, and Torchlighter Award to DaleyWalker

- Presentation of Golden Diplomas to the Class of 1957

- Park University 2007, a presentation by President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., with Q&A session

• Class reunion luncheon

- Classes of 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, early ’60s, 1967, 1972, 1977,1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002

- Class photos

• Awards banquet and dance

- Dancing Under the Stars, KCI Marriott Pavilion by the lake

- Cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and Distinguished Alumnus Awardpresentation to Jerry L. Schrader, ’57

- Options available: banquet and dance, or dance only

• Chapel service

• Farewell brunch

Schedule subject to change. Specific times will be availableat www.park.edu/alumni and also will be distributed by mail.

24 >> www.park.edu

Although Park men participatedin campus military drills as early

as the Spanish-American War of 1898,they first saw combat on foreign soiltoward the end of World War I.

More than 50 students andnumerous alumni enlisted in U.S.military branches after the United Statesdeclared war on Germany in April 1917.Ten Park men died while in service;some were killed in battle and otherswere victims of disease. Some wentabove and beyond the call of duty,including Army Lt. George S. Robb,’12, who was awarded theCongressional Medal of Honor.

Lt. Robb distinguished himself onthe battlefield and in 1919 was selectedby Gen. John “Black Jack” Pershing asone of his “100 American Heroes.”

LT. GEORGE S. ROBB, U.S. ARMY,369TH INFANTRY, 93RD DIVISION

Following is an account of Robb’sheroism as printed in the August 1919edition of The Ladies Home Journal.

“General Pershing’s citations ofAmerican officers show how splendidlyour leaders measured up to the criticalresponsibility of their position.Lieutenant Robb was one of those whopaid no attention to their wounds until

certain they had done everythingpossible for their men. He was leading aplatoon in the attack on SechaultFrance, September 29, 1918, when hewas severely wounded by machine gunfire. Rather than go to the rear forproper treatment, he remained with hismen until ordered to the dressing stationby the commanding officer. Withinforty-five minutes he was back on thefiring line and remained on dutythroughout the night, encouraging hismen and establishing outposts. Early thenext morning he was wounded again,but still insisted on staying at the headof his platoon. Later in the day hiscommanding officer and two otherofficers of his company were killed by abursting shell, which also added twoother wounds to those he had alreadysustained. Undaunted, he tookcommand of the company, organized itto the best advantage in its trenches andcontinued to encourage the troops bythis obstinate courage and tenacity atcritical times. He was the only officer ofhis battalion who succeeded inadvancing beyond the town, and byvigorous work in silencing enemymachine gun and sniping postscontributed largely to the aid of thebattalion in holding its objective.

In spite of four severe wounds hecarried on unflinchingly and gave theenlisted men of his command amagnificent example of unselfishcourage.”

Robb’s response to his country’shighest military honor: “No one wasmore surprised than myself that Ireceived the medal.” Othercommendations included the FrenchLegion of Honor, the French Croix DeGuerre with Palm and the Italian WarCross.

Robb’s regiment, the 369th, wascomposed of African-Americanvolunteers who insisted on being sent tothe front, where they fought heroically.The entire regiment received the CroixDe Guerre from a grateful Frenchgovernment.

A few years after returning home,Robb was named postmaster of Salina,Kan., and in 1935 was appointed Kansasstate auditor, a post to which he wasreelected until he retired in 1960. Parkhonored him as a DistinguishedAlumnus in 1961. Lt. Robb diedpeacefully May 14, 1972, and is buriedin Salina. His congressional medal,helmet and photo are on display at theKansas State Historical Society inTopeka.

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 25

by Carolyn McHenryElwess, 71, archivist

26 >> www.park.edu

CornerDI

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OR’S

Greetings from the Alumni Office,

When did you last visit theParkville Campus? If it’s beenawhile, or never, considercorrecting that oversight thissummer. Alumni Weekend 2007 offers happenings to entice alumni to travel to Parkville, thehome of Park University. Among the campus tours, golf tournament and class reunions, twospecial events stand out, and change is in the air.

On Friday, June 15, the Alumni Association will host an evening at the National World War IMuseum at the Liberty Memorial. We invite Park alumni to be our guests at this world-classmuseum and enjoy a spectacular view of the city from its tower. To read more about the LibertyMemorial, visit www.libertymemorialmuseum.org.

Park has a special connection to this museum, supporting its renovation through archivaldonations and operations leadership. President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., is on the Board ofGovernors, and history Professor Tim Westcott, Ph.D., is on the Board of Trustees.

Museum tickets are free to alumni and guests. Following the museum visit, dinner will include avideo presentation of 1st Sgt. Robert Palechek, ’06, deployed in Iraq, receiving his Park degreelive via satellite feed during our December 2006 graduation.

The 2007 awards banquet Saturday evening, June 16, will be a dinner-dance. Alumni will enjoydancing under the stars at the Marriott Pavilion, next to the KCI Airport lake. The DistinguishedAlumnus Award will be presented during dinner, after which a disc jockey will provide tunesenlivened by the fancy footwork of professional dance instructors.

The 2007 Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service and Torchlighter awards will be presentedSaturday morning in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel.

In addition to campus activities, Parkville’s annual Jazz, Blues & Fine Arts River Jam will takeplace in English Landing Park, and Parkville shops will be open for antiquing.

If you’ve been considering a visit to Parkville, June 14-17, 2007, is the perfect time!

Hope to see you in June.

Julie McCollum

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Alisha Coggins, ’03, alumni relations assistant(816) [email protected]

Julie McCollum, director of alumni relations (816) 584-6206, (800) 488-PARK (7275)fax (816) [email protected]@park.edu

We’d love to hear from you! Contact us:

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 27

Alumni Travel

The Alumni Association will organizetwo trips in 2007.

Jerzy Hauptmann’s Poland, scheduledfor July 26-Aug. 4, will take alumniand friends to Krakow and Warsaw.Sightseeing throughout the regionwill include Dr. Hauptmann’shometown of Lodz, Wawel Castle,Auschwitz, Jasna Gora Monastery,Lazienki Park and the Palace, and St.John’s Cathedral. Space is limited.Beijing, China, Nov. 1-8, is the secondtrip destination. See the ad on the backcover. Contact [email protected] (800) 488-7275 for brochures.

Park After HoursThe Alumni Association held its first ParkAfter Hours on Jan. 25, 2007, at Harpo’sin Kansas City, Mo., where an excitingmix of Park alumni spanning five decadesnetworked and shared memories. JayFlaherty, ’71, chose the location andhosted the informal get-together. Alumniexchanged business cards, and drawings were held for Park “stuff.”

Chris Hershey, ’03, M.P.A. ’05, hosted the February event at Higher Groundsin Parkville on Feb. 22.

A Park After Hours is scheduled for the last Thursday of every month in 2007.Locations will vary throughout the Kansas City area. Watchwww.park.edu/alumni for locations and times. Notify the Office of AlumniRelations of your e-mail and permanent address so you won’t miss aninvitation.

If you would like to host an evening at your favorite after-hours spot inthe KC area, contact (816) 584-6207 or [email protected].

Alumni Council Five new members were voted onto the Alumni Council: Jeff McKinney, ’81; Dirk Lawson, ’94; Bruce Wilson, ’03;Chris Hershey, ’03, M.P.A. ’05; and Scott Briscoe, ’04. Lawson is the liaison between the Pirate Club and the AlumniCouncil. Briscoe represents the Alumni Council on the Park University Scholarship Committee.

BASKETBALL REUNIONSBasketball season featured two basketball reunions.

Alumni Basketball GamesOn Oct. 8, 2006, women’s and men’s alumni teamsscrimmaged with former teammates at Breckon SportsCenter. For the first time, enough women playersparticipated that they formed two teams andscrimmaged each other. Twenty-eight men shared thecourt during the men’s reunion game.

1980s Basketball Reunion Early ’80s players joined former coach RandyFarris on Jan. 6, 2007, at the Parkville Campusto swap memories, catch up on their livessince Park and watch a little basketball.

5K Run/Walk ResultsThe Park University 5K Run/Walk was moved to fall 2006 tobecome a part of Harvest Fest. Student Leon Bowman wonthe Oct. 8 race. Jacob Kidd, ’04, took second place, winningthe Fastest Alumnus title. Other winners included FastestAlumna, Belinda Ambrose, ’01; Top Park Female Student,Monica Anderson; Top Male Faculty/Staff, Walter Kisthardt,Ph.D.; and Top Female Faculty/Staff, Deborah Osborne.

AlumniBulletinBoard PHOTOS COURTESY OF

PARK UN IVERS IT Y OFF ICEOF ALUMNI REL AT IONS

Tucson Golf ScrambleTucson area alumni met friends Feb. 1,2007, at the Davis-Monthan AFB golfcourse for the first Alumni GolfScramble. Jeff Morgan, ’94, won forthe longest drive, and Kevin Crookwon closest to the pin.

The 2007 Tucson Alumni GolfScramble is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2007.

Mike Murray, Kevin Crook,Fernando Criessien, ’90,

Ken Kingsbury, ’06Jacob Kidd, ’04

28 >> www.park.edu

ClassHave you received a job promotion or award, gotten married orhad a baby? Add your news at www.park.edu/alumni, “MyProfile,” or mail it to Office of Alumni Relations, ParkUniversity, 8700 N.W. River Park Drive, Parkville, MO 64152.Then watch for it in Alumniad.

Contact Alumni Relations:Julie McCollum, (816) 584-6206, (800) 488-PARK (7275),[email protected] or [email protected] Alisha Coggins, ’03, (816) 584-6207 or [email protected]

’50sDean Larrick, ’53; Dorothy HarperWatson, ’52; and Ruth Gatton Shook,’55, had a “mid-Missouri Parkreunion” in January.

Gail McMahon Batchelor, ’56, andBob Batchelor, ’52, celebrated their50th wedding anniversary. They weremarried in the Graham TylerMemorial Chapel on Sept. 16, 1956.They live in Orange, Texas, and havefive children and four grandchildren.

’60sDiana WagnerSomerville, ’64, haspublished her firstbook, Inside Out DownUnder: Stories from aSpiritual Sabbatical.Somerville is a prize-

winning writer who has taughtscience and magazine writing,women’s studies and dreaminterpretation. She lives in PortAngeles, Wash.

’70sWilford “Pete” Kale, ’71, retired fromthe Virginia Marine ResourcesCommission on March 31, 2007. Helooks forward to spending timewriting and plans to visit England tocomplete research for a master’sthesis.

Noland Peebles, ’71, visited theParkville Campus in October 2006 andcaught up with fellow Parkites SusanKensett McGaughey, ’74; RichMcGaughey, ’73; and Jay Flaherty, ’71.

Sylvia Hill, ’78, owns H.M.S.Development Inc. and on Jan. 1, 2007,became president of the NationalAssociation of Residential PropertyManagers. She and her husband, Gil,live in Morgan Hill, Calif.

’80sSteve Davis, ’80, was appointedexecutive vice president for nationalhomebuilding operations at MeritageHomes Corp., headquartered inArizona and Texas. He oversees thecompany’s customer satisfaction,national supply chain and nationalmarketing initiatives as well as theimplementation of best practicesacross its operating divisions. Daviswill live in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Lauri Johnson Poe, ’82, is anaccredited member of the AmericanSociety of Appraisers in machineryand technical specialties. She is aproperty tax manager with WoodsonPartners, LLC, in Overland Park, Kan.

Gary Greer, ’84,became city managerof Farmers Branch,Texas, in a unanimousCity Council vote. Hepreviously served threeyears as Grand Island, Neb., cityadministrator.

’90sDoris C. Bolliger, ’91, was namedassistant professor in theDepartment of Adult Learning andTechnology, College of Education,University of Wyoming. She receiveda doctorate in education from theUniversity of West Florida in 2002.

Vince Ortega, ’91, was honored for30 years of Kansas City police work.Deputy Chief Ortega, thedepartment’s highest-ranking

Notes

From left: Noland Peebles, ’71; Susan KensettMcGaughey, ’74; Rich McGaughey, ’73; JayFlaherty, ’71

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 29

Hispanic officer, retired Sept. 7,2006.

Carlyn Williams Bozeman, ’93, isdirector of financial aid andscholarships at Sinclair CommunityCollege in Dayton, Ohio. Sheprovides strategic andadministrative leadership forfinancial aid operations and staff.Bozeman is a member of the OhioAssociation of Student Financial AidAdministrators.

Terry Bunker, ’94, ran as theProgressive Party candidate forMissouri state auditor in November2006 after obtaining 10,000signatures required to be placed onthe ballot. Bunker has beenaccountant/controller for InvestorsFiduciary Trust Corp. and itscorporate successor, State Street,since 1998.

Rick Dodds, ’94, teaches theatre atWashington High School in KansasCity, Kan. In December 2006 heproduced the first play presented atthe school in seven years.

Judy Hadley, M.P.A ’95, is theKansas City, Mo., city manager ofrevenue. She collects the city’s taxesand enforces its tax code.

Robert Moore, ’95, hosts a “free-form music show,” Sonic Spectrum,on KCUR in Kansas City, Mo. He alsoruns his own record label, OxbloodRecords.

William Overton, ’95, graduatedfrom Florida Coastal School of Law.

Mary Lou Jaramillo, ’96, ispresident and CEO of El Centro Inc.She served 12 years as executivedirector of the Mattie Rhodes Centerand spent the last year as executivedirector of the Hispanic EconomicDevelopment Corp. in Kansas City, Mo.

Roger Wakeman, ’96, was promotedto outside salesperson for KochEquipment, LLC, located in KansasCity, Mo.

Bob Ahring, M.P.A. ’97, is theUniversity of Central Missouri’sdirector of public safety. On Sept. 7,2006, he received the Clarence M.Kelley Meritorious Service Awardduring the annual trainingconference of the FBI NationalAcademy Associates, Kansas/Western Missouri Chapter. Theaward, named for the former FBIdirector and Kansas City, Mo., policechief, recognizes Ahring’scontributions to the criminal justiceprofession and the examples he hasset in his professional and personallife.

’00sBarry James,M.P.A. ’01, and hiswife, Susan, have adaughter, MeredithEve Barry, bornJuly 31, 2006.(Picture was taken by her 3-year-oldbrother, Colin.)

Nathaniel Schmid,’01, and his wifewelcomed theirfirst child, LoganMae Schmid, onSept. 28, 2006.

Deletta Dean, ’02, is manager ofthe neighborhood improvementprogram of the city departmentNeighborhood and CommunityServices in Kansas City, Mo.

Caroline Hernandez, ’02, is afounding member of the LeanderEducational Excellence Foundationin Cedar Park, Texas. LEEF providesresources to support innovation,enrichment and equity in pursuit ofacademic excellence in the LeanderIndependent School District.

Thomas E.Leimkuhler, ’02,is a warrantofficer 2 and aBlack Hawk pilotstationed inIraq.

Alexa Barton, ’03, was named ClayCounty administrator and is thecounty’s chief budget officer.

Kurt Kennedy, ’03, graduated inDecember 2006 from the Master inCreative Writing Program at theUniversity of Missouri-Kansas City.

Jeff Petersen, ’03, is a partner inEm Chamus, a new Brazilianchurascaria in Parkville. Thesteakhouse opened Feb. 9, 2007.

Shelly Shetly, ’03, advocates forindividuals with developmental andphysical disabilities. She is on theMissouri Planning Council onDevelopmental Disabilities.

Craig Rennich, ’05, is a consultantfor Eide Bailly TechnologyConsulting. A network engineer, heinstalls, configures and supportstechnologies such as MicrosoftExchange, Windows servers andfirewalls. He and his family live inGrand Forks, N.D.

HeatherHodges, ’06,married DavidLangdon, ’06,on Jan. 6, 2007.The weddingparty includedAmberMolenkampWest, ’03, and

Patrick Ferguson, M.B.A. ’05.

<< CLASS NOTES

Did you find the hidden MackayHall on thecover? If not,look again.

Note:Send us a birth or adoptionannouncement to use in ClassNotes, and we’ll send you a“Baby Pirate” bib. (The imagewill be imprinted on the bib.)

L

30 >> www.park.edu

<< PARK MOURNS

Park Mourns’30sDorothy Stevenson Venema, ’31Oct. 17, 2006, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Oradelle Malan Havey, ’32Sept. 26, 2006, Glen Carbon, Ill.

Evelyn Dahlstrom Backstrom, ’33Aug. 25, 2006, Nashville, Tenn.

Mildred Melcher Judah, ’33June 25, 2006, Prescott, Ariz.

Maxine Kinch Allen, ’34Nov. 1, 2006, Hemet, Calif.

Margaret G. Peterson, ’34Aug. 29, 2006, Los Gatos, Calif.

Letitia Marie Jennings, ’36Nov. 27, 2006, Tarzana, Calif.

Donald G. Cain, ’37Jan. 30, 2006, South Hutchinson,Kan.

Robert L. Clark, ’37, Ph.D.Jan. 13, 2007, Sequim, Wash.While at Park, Mr. Clark majored inchemistry, was student bodypresident, played baseball, soccerand track and met his wife, Ella May“Eme” Eskridge, ’38. He earned aPh.D. in chemistry from theUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln andworked for Merck and Co. in Rahway,N.J., for 36 years, retiring as a seniorresearch fellow in 1978. Hedeveloped many pharmaceuticalcompounds to treat pain, syphilis,inflammatory illnesses, and diseasesof chickens (coccidiosis). He received72 U.S. patents, all assigned toMerck, and authored 12 publications.Mr. Clark was a scoutmaster and highschool Sunday school teacher formany years, as well as a deacon andan elder in the 331-year-old FirstPresbyterian Church of Woodbridge,N.J. He is survived by his wife of 65years, Eme; two daughters and a son;five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ruth Witcraft Parks, ’37July 17, 2006, Glendale, Calif.

Mary Elizabeth McCoy Crandall, ’39Sept. 14, 2006, Lathrup Village,Mich.

Hugh T. Richards, ’39Sept. 29, 2006, Menomonie, Wis.

’40sEleanor J. Laughlin Brown, ’41Sept. 22, 2006, Kansas City, Mo.

Faith E. Campbell, ’41May 11, 2006, Denver, Colo.

Grant D. Whipple, ’41May 11, 2006, Charleston, S.C.

Roger V. Dickeson, ’42June 21, 2006, Sylmar, Calif.

Frank Dobronte, ’42, D.D.S.Oct. 17, 2006, Pleasanton, Calif.Mr. Dobronte earned a degree indentistry from the University ofMissouri School of Dentistry, KansasCity, Mo., and completed graduatework in periodontology at theUniversity of Pennsylvania. He was aprofessor of periodontology at theUniversity of California, SanFrancisco School of Dentistry.During World War II, he joined theNaval Dental Corps, serving in thePhilippines and Shanghai, China. Hestayed in the military through theKorean and Vietnam wars andretired at his last duty station,Treasure Island, Calif., after 30 yearsof service. He then entered privatepractice as a periodontist inPleasanton. He was on the CaliforniaState Board of Periodontology.

Ruth Gresham McFarland, ’42Aug. 10, 2006, Liberty, Mo.

Ben H. Bedwell, ’43July 9, 2006, Chesterfield, Mo.

George R. Dalton, ’43Dec. 25, 2006, Pittsburg, Kan.

Edwin A. Menninger, ’43March 3, 2006, Lillington, N.C.

Mary Ann Bowman, ’44Nov. 23, 2006, Lee’s Summit, Mo.Mrs. Bowman was a homemaker andhad worked in retail sales. She wasactive in St. Regis Catholic Church,where she was a member of theAltar Society and the RosarySociety. She was preceded in deathby her husband, Charles, and issurvived by two daughters.

Jean Flinchbaugh, ’45Dec. 9, 2006, St. Marys, OhioMrs. Flinchbaugh was a licenseddietitian and had worked at thePocono House and Sky Chef Inc. inBoston, Mass. She also was alibrarian and assisted her husband, aMethodist minister, in his ministry.She was a member of the Wayne St. United Methodist Church in St. Marys and the Van Wert Chapterof the Daughters of the AmericanRevolution. She was a loving wife,mother and grandmother, a devotedchurch member and avid bridgeplayer. She is survived by adaughter, two sons and fivegrandchildren.

Mary Randall Hodges, ’46Sept. 30, 2006, Casper, Wyo.

Catherine Richards, ’46Sept. 24, 2006, Milwaukee, Wis.

Paul Raymond Bean, ’48Oct. 21, 2006, Tulsa, Okla.Mr. Bean was a customer servicerepresentative for WestinghousePower Systems Division in Wichita,Kan., and Tulsa, Okla. He was thirdofficer on a Navy sub-chaser duringWorld War II. He volunteered with hischurch, the ICYE foreign exchangeprogram and the American Red Cross.He is survived by his wife, daughterand grandchildren.

’50sFrancis X. Talty, ’50Feb. 8, 2006, Dracut, Mass.

John “Jack” P. Ettershank Jr., ’52Dec. 23, 2006, Newport News, Va.Mr. Ettershank retired as commandchaplain, U.S. Army Training andDoctrine Command, Fort Monroe,Va., in 1987 after 31 years of militaryservice. In 1974 he was the firstchaplain to graduate from theNational War College in Washington,D.C. He was awarded the Legion ofMerit, Bronze Star Medal,Meritorious Service Medal, two AirMedals, three Army CommendationMedals, Vietnam Service Medal,Republic of Vietnam CampaignMedal, Republic of Vietnam Cross ofGallantry and Master ParachutistBadge. Following retirement fromthe Army, he served as interimpastor for several Presbyteriancongregations. He is survived by hiswife, Irene, and two grandchildren.

David Rowe Harris, x53Dec. 12, 2006, Orland, Calif.Mr. Harris loved the outdoors andwas an avid hunter, played golf andwas very fond of sailing. Afterserving in the Korean War, heattended Park, where his parents,Harold E. Harris, ’29, and LucilleRowe Harris, had met. He worked incancer research at Roswell ParkResearch Center in Buffalo, N.Y., andlater taught computer science at theUniversity of Utah in Salt Lake City.Mr. Harris finished out his career asprofessor and chair of computerscience at California StateUniversity, Chico. In 1977 he boughta farm in Orland, Calif., where heraised cattle and Saaren goats. Healso established a sanctuary forBelgian draft horses.

Virginia “Ginny”Evans Schrader, x55June 26, 2005,Panama City, Fla.Her husband, BobSchrader, ’54,wrote, “I met her atPark, and she was the only girl I everloved — we were married for 54 years.”

Rosemary Allen Seneker, x56Aug. 10, 2006, Mount Vernon, Mo.

Mrs. Seneker was aretired first-gradeteacher whoenjoyedarchaeology, herlarge family andwriting children’sstories. She wasmarried to the late Donald L.Seneker, ’57. Their daughter BeckyShannon died July 16. Mrs. Senekeris survived by three sons and twodaughters and their spouses, 12grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

’60sJohn Loren Washburn, ’62Jan. 12, 2007,Loganton, Pa.Mr. Washburn taughtpolitical science atLehigh University inBethlehem, Pa., from1965 to 1972 andpolitical science atLock Haven University in LockHaven, Pa., from 1972 until hisretirement in 2002. At Lock Haven,he chaired the political sciencedepartment, served on theuniversity promotions andcurriculum committees and was anadviser to pre-law students andHarrisburg interns. Professionally,he authored papers, wrote bookreviews and participated inacademic conferences. He wasactive in his church, where he sangin the choir and was a councilmember, president and treasurer. Heserved a six-year term on theexecutive council of the NationalUCC. While serving, he was councilvice chairman and chaired theplanning committee for the GeneralSynod. Over the years, Mr. Washburnwas active in the regional churchaffairs of UCC’s Penn CentralConference. He is survived by hiswife, daughter, a son and twograndchildren.

Edward A. Hegner, ’66March 18, 2006, Fair Oaks, Calif.

Michael Best, ’68 Oct. 17, 2006, EastWindsor, Tenn.Mr. Best was anactive member ofPark’s Men ofChesnut fraternity.He began his career intransportation with NorthwestAirlines and settled in Anchorage,Alaska, where he foundedAnchorage Express. He relocated toBurlington, Conn., where he foundedHartford Express and raised hisfamily. He was on the board ofBurlington’s Economic DevelopmentCommission. He also was well-knownin and around Bradley InternationalAirport as the courier of record; assuch, he was president of theConnecticut InternationalTransportation Association. Mr. Bestflourished as a father, grandfather,brother, friend and entrepreneurwith his laid-back spirit, eclecticstories, a good joke and loyalty forall. He is survived by two children,two sisters, two grandchildren andhis former wife. He was predeceasedby his beloved daughter.

’70sErnest L. Conway, ’74May 16, 2006, Kansas City, Mo.

Douglas B. Brittain, ’76Nov. 25, 2006, Baton Rouge, La.Col. Brittain served in the Koreanand Vietnam wars. He was acceptedto the Air Force Officer TrainingCorps and became a pilot. Trained infighters as well as bombers, heloved flying the B-52. His 28 yearsof military service includednumerous awards and decorations,among them the DistinguishedFlying Cross, the Legion of Merit,the Bronze Star and the Air Medalwith 19 oak leaf clusters. Afterretirement, he flew corporate jets.

Phillip S. Vawter, ’76June 26, 2006, Walled Lake, Mich.

Spring 2007 ‹‹ 31

H. LaFelle Carey, ’77Dec. 23, 2006, Austin, TexasMr. Carey entered the Air Forceupon graduation from high school.He served during the Korean andVietnam wars, earning numerousawards and decorations. In 1978 heretired as chief master sergeant. Mr. Carey was a member of TheAmerican Legion, the DisabledAmerican Veterans and Woodmen ofthe World. He was an active memberof the Hyde Park Church of Christ.He is survived by his wife, two sonsand a grandson.

John H. McMaken Jr., ’77Dec. 30, 2006, West Milton, OhioMr. McMaken served in Vietnam withthe Army. He owned and operatedAmerican Welding in Ludlow Falls,Ohio, and was a proud member ofthe Fraternal Order of the EaglesPost #3621 West Milton; Troy Fishand Game Club; Am Vets Post #88Troy; American Legion Post #140Greenville; VFW Post #7262Greenville; Disabled AmericanVeterans Miami County #98; LoyalOrder of the Moose Lodge #329Greenville; and the National RifleAssociation.

Greta E. O’Keefe Price, ’77Dec. 25, 2006, Kansas City, Mo.Mrs. Price grew up near Karlsbad(now Karlovy Vary), Czechoslovakia.In 1946 she and her parents wereforced to flee to the German FederalRepublic (West Germany). Ten yearslater, she came to the United Statesas a permanent resident butretained her German citizenship.Her first employment in the KansasCity area was on the internationalsales staff of the Vendo Corp. Shethen was a secretary at the KansasCity consulate of the GermanFederal Republic. In 1962 she joinedthe Midwest Research Institute,became a research economist andprincipal scientist and then wasappointed director of corporatecommunications. She retired fromMRI in 1989. Through the KansasCity Chapter of People to PeopleInternational, Mrs. Price was a

civilian sponsor for internationalmilitary officers and their familiesattending the Army’s Command andGeneral Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth,Kan. In the 1990s she volunteered inthe International Executive ServiceCorps for projects in Egypt, Morocco,Hungary and Zimbabwe. She issurvived by her husband, Charlton.

Nancy Adams, ’78July 3, 2006, Kennet Square, Pa.

’80sJanet Huettenmueller, ’87Jan. 12, 2007, Kansas City, Mo.Ms. Huettenmueller earned degreesin art and elementary education.Her joy for the arts was seen in hermany drawings and paintings.

Richard S. Goodell, ’88May 21, 2006, Amarillo, Texas

Morene S. Jacques Grisham, ’88Oct. 3, 2006, Fort Worth, Texas After retiring as an Air Force mastersergeant, Mrs. Grisham became asenior training specialist for SeniorMortgage Services. She is survivedby her husband, Stephen Jensen,and mother, Maria Grisham.

’00sPatricia A. Treece, ’04Nov. 8, 2006, Dayton, OhioMs. Treece retired from the Army,where she was a drill instructor andworked in Transportation Services.She was attending Ohio Institute ofPhotography and Technology at thetime of her death.

Kora Parks, ’06Dec. 4, 2006,Pleasant Hill, Mo.Mrs. Parks, 30,died from headinjuries suffered inan automobileaccident. The staff at ParkUniversity Whiteman AFB wrote,“She was a very wonderful younglady who always made you feel goodwhen she was around.” Mrs. Parks

began taking classes at ParkUniversity Fairchild AFB andcompleted her bachelor’s degree incriminal justice administration atWhiteman AFB. An organ donor, shetouched people even in death. Shewas buried with full military honors.She is survived by her husband andtwo young children.

FACULTYDelta “Pop” Gier, Ph.D. Dec. 19, 2006,Prairie Village, Kan. “Pop” Gier hadmany roles at Park— professor, chairof the ChemistryDepartment, chairof the Division of Natural Sciences,dean of students. Contributionsfrom his students created the DeltaGier Laboratory, located in thescience hall, and a scholarship in hisname. In the 1980s and 1990s, Dr.Gier became active in pre-professional health education,creating the nutrition major and thehealth sciences program at Park. Hewas a popular provider of continuingeducation classes for chiropractorsand was made an honorary memberof the chiropractic fraternity atCleveland Chiropractic College. He issurvived by his wife, Audra CalhounGier, x62; son, Delta David, and hiswife, Angela; and grandchildrenDelta Gabriel and Anna Julia.

Patricia H. McClelland, Ph.D. Dec. 22, 2006,Kansas City, Mo. Dr. McClelland wasa lifelong teacherwho inspiredcountless studentsduring adistinguished career. At herretirement, she was associate dean,professor and chair of the ParkUniversity Education Department.She was dearly loved and will bemissed. Her legacy will live foreverthrough her students. She issurvived by her husband, Gus; son,Michael; and daughter, CathyMcClelland, ’96.

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Spring 2007 ‹‹ 33

who assisted me along the journey. Thehonor of being the first active-dutymember to be recognized in this manneris both exciting and humbling.” (1st Sgt.Robert Palechek, ’06)

We live in a small world, and we haveto understand the global communities weembrace. At that commencementceremony I felt the response of thegraduates and their families, friends andfaculty gathered in the auditorium. Theywere connected by this majorinternational event. And change comesthrough education and sharing theeducational process.

The International Institute for GlobalCulture, Economics and Understandingprovides a pathway for Park to reach outto the world and a way in which theworld can connect to Park. As theinstitute aligns the University’sentrepreneurial spirit, Park will engageour students, and they can equally engagein entrepreneurial, cultural and economicdevelopment for the engagement ofhumankind.

You demand excellence of yourself,and you demand excellence fromthose with whom you work. Whatare your expectations of facultyand staff?

As a professor I taught for severalyears before I became an administrator,and I continued to teach as a departmentchair and as a dean. I would invariably

share with my theatre students a quote ofthe infamous actress Bette Davis: “Thereis only one way to work — like hell.” Inever ask of anyone more than I amwilling to give.

I believe in honesty and hard work andthoughtfulness in the process, and Ibelieve in having a sense of humor. Whenyou surround yourself with good peoplewho are willing to dream, plan andrespectfully work together, then you havean established blueprint for success.

University presidents nationwideare under microscopic examination,and the expectation for professionalintegrity has never been higher.How do you model integrity? Integrity and honesty and truthfulnessguide what I do every day in highereducation. And I expect those samecharacteristics from others. I don’t expectanybody to beat around the bush, I don’texpect anybody to sugarcoat anything,and I don’t expect anybody to lie or to bedeceitful, or to talk in ways that aredisrespectful to or harm the University.My mother always said if you can’t saysomething positive about somebody, don’tsay anything at all. Her advice, as anelementary school principal, has stayedwith me. I believe you should have openand direct communication.

I tell our students that they arerepresentatives of Park and that whenthey go out into the community, whether

they are talking with their friends,performing on a stage or playingon an athletic field, they aremodeling Park University. Whatthey say and how they interactwith others is reflective of theinstitution. That is true for me andall Park employees. We all have tobe very mindful that we representPark in what we say, because weare all “living logos” of theUniversity.

What is ahead for Park University?Park University is in the heart of Americaand in the hearts of more than 50,000alumni.

From this place,the center of thecountry, we reacharound theworld.

We mustconstantly work at renewed enthusiasm forcompleting our tasks and our strategicplan’s goals and objectives so that we cancontinue our transformation into oneUniversity. At the same time, we mustcontinue to be innovative andentrepreneurial in how we delivereducation. Colleges and universities thatare static — and are carrying outeducation as it has been done for the last200 years — are at risk. It breaks myheart that every day we read aboutinstitutions having a deficit, aboutinstitutions laying off faculty and staff,because they can’t meet their budget.Park has been experiencing its healthiestoperating budgets in years, a result of ourentrepreneurial spirit.

There will be ongoing emphasis on theenrollment across the country and aroundthe world, quality of education, thecaliber of students and faculty, the valueof a Park degree, the Park endowment tosupport students and academic programs,and the quality of physical learningspaces. So at Park, our faculty will offeracademic programs “on demand, anytime, anywhere,” as that is the waystudents want to receive education. Parkwill continue to respond to that needthrough Online education. And we willcontinue to respond with our face-to-faceprograms as we offer education inappropriate modalities to provide accessto academic excellence for our studentlearners wherever they are aroundthe world.

Byers-PevittsStirs Vision into (continued from page 13)

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