Annual Leadership Awards at Park University Honor Accomplishments from the 2024-25 Academic Year
Park University Celebrates Outstanding Achievements at Annual Awards Ceremony
On April 16, 2025, Park University held its 30th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards ceremony, recognising students, faculty, and staff for their exceptional contributions to the university community.
The awards, presented by the Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association, honour individuals who excel in various fields and embody the spirit of leadership, service, and academic excellence.
Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards
This year's Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards recipients include Mariah Hirst, senior psychology major; Eric Young, senior psychology major; Nina Distasio, senior biology major; Dorianna Braxton, senior communication studies major; and Amelia Britting, senior management major. These students have distinguished themselves as leaders regardless of position or title.
Outstanding Class Member Awards
The Outstanding Class Member Awards honour two students from the senior, junior, and sophomore classes who best represent their class in service to, and participation in, Park University. This year's recipients are Maria Eduarda Araujo, junior psychology major; Ognjen Petrovic, senior logistics major; Samantha Hall, junior social psychology major; Manuel Reyes, senior nursing major; and Faith Romano, sophomore interior design major.
Tipton Award and Toni Griggs Award
Allyson Price, '05, MBA '07, assistant registrar, Registrar's Office, received the Tipton Award, while Alana Mathis, junior organisational communications major, was honoured with the Toni Griggs Award.
Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Awards
Kelly Gilhaus, assistant teaching professor of interior design from Leawood, Kan., and Molly Pierson, dean of students from Overland Park, Kan., received the Faculty/Staff Newcomer of the Year Awards.
Dusing-Proudfoot Award
Veronica Spottswood, acquisition assistant, McAfee Memorial Library, was the recipient of the Dusing-Proudfoot Award.
Graduate Assistant of the Year Award
Fabiola Salgado Hernandez, a Master of Business Administration student from Kansas City, Mo., received the Graduate Assistant of the Year Award.
Student Employee of the Year
Dah Shee, a senior nursing major from Kansas City, Mo., was awarded the Student Employee of the Year.
C.W. Bailey Award
Garima Baral, freshman nursing major, and Nora Spornitz, junior elementary education major, were the recipients of the C.W. Bailey Award.
Park Student Government Association / Cindy Anderson Senator of the Year Award
Addisen Andrew, a sophomore communication/multimedia journalism major from Kearney, Mo., was honored with the Park Student Government Association / Cindy Anderson Senator of the Year Award.
Student Success and Impact Award
Brandi Schaffer, student records and graduation lead from Smithville, Mo., received the Student Success and Impact Award.
Special Award - Dedication to Student Advising
Amanda Bryant, director of student life from Gladstone, Mo., received the Special Award - Dedication to Student Advising for her exceptional commitment to guiding, mentoring, and empowering students.
Student Organization Program of the Year Award
The Biology Club's Study Party was awarded the Student Organization Program of the Year Award for its contributions to local, national, or global communities through an organized service or civic engagement program.
New Student Organization of the Year Award
The Photography Club, a new student organization for students who share a passion for photography, received the New Student Organization of the Year Award.
Park Servant Leader of the Year Award
Yvette Karanja, senior cybersecurity major, was recognised as the Park Servant Leader of the Year.
Student Organization Adviser of the Year
Damian Gonzalez, digital storytelling coordinator from Shawnee, Kan., was honoured as the Student Organization Adviser of the Year.
Eny Mejia and Tom Kuehnel receive Outstanding Class Member Awards
Eny Mejia, senior biology major, and Tom Kuehnel, sophomore political science major, were also recipients of the Outstanding Class Member Awards.
Nicholas Mattivi receives Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards
Nicholas Mattivi, senior accounting major, was another recipient of the Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Awards.
Vivian DeJesus and Michell Lebron receive Park Family Award
Vivian DeJesus and Michell Lebron, kitchen staff/cooks, Fresh Ideas Pirate Café, were the recipients of the Park Family Award.
Dr. Doris Howell: A Pioneering Oncologist and Advocate
Dr. Doris Howell, a 1944 Park graduate, was an internationally renowned leader in pediatrics and hospice care before passing away in November 2018. Awards and programs named in her honour typically recognise excellence in healthcare, humanitarian efforts, or medical education. However, without specific confirmation from the search results or Park University sources, the details of her connection to Park University or the rationale for an awards program bearing her name cannot be confirmed at this time.
Mariah Hirst, senior psychology major, and Eric Young, senior psychology major, are exemplary students who have demonstrated significant personal growth and learning, contributing greatly to their education-and-self-development and embodying the spirit of leadership in their academic journey.
Nina Distasio, senior biology major, and Dorianna Braxton, senior communication studies major, have utilized their learning experiences for personal growth, showing exceptional dedication to expanding their knowledge and skills in their respective fields. Amelia Britting, senior management major, has also demonstrated this commitment to learning and self-development throughout her time at Park University.
