Annual Recognition of Academic Achievements by Park University Held at Honors Convocation for 2023-24 Academic Year
Park University Honours Outstanding Students and Faculty at Annual Convocation
At the annual Honours Convocation held on April 17, 2024, Park University recognised several students and faculty members for their exceptional achievements and contributions.
Among the honourees were Annastasia Bair, a senior biology major from Omaha, Nebraska, and Skyler Jensen, a senior communications studies and multimedia journalism/public relations major from Earlham, Iowa. Both students received the University's Outstanding Parkite Award, which recognises exemplary achievement or service related to Park University.
Bair, with a 4.01 cumulative GPA, has been a Park University Presidential Scholar for three academic years. In 2022, she was recognised with an Outstanding Class Member Award and served as president of the University's Biology Club. Additionally, Bair received a Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Award in 2023 and biology department honors in the same year. She also served as a resident assistant and volunteered with KC Pet Project and Main Street Parkville Association.
Jensen, with a 4.08 cumulative GPA, has also been a Park University Presidential Scholar for three academic years. He served as the editor-in-chief of The Stylus, Park's student newspaper, and won a first place award in sports page writing and design at the Missouri College Media Association Conference in April 2024. Jensen earned communication/journalism/public relations department honors in 2022 and received a Dr. Doris Howell Leadership Award in 2021.
Other notable recipients included Bryce Butler, a senior multimedia journalism/public relations major from Kansas City, Mo., who received the Louisa Davidson Hinde / Carolyn Hinde Zarkaryan Memorial Award. Andrea Lee, Ph.D., an associate professor of art and design and director of the Campanella Gallery in Liberty, Mo., received the J.L. Zwingle Award. Jeff Kimmons, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology in Kansas City, Mo., received the Excellence in Academic Advising Award. Brian Hoffman, Ph.D., a professor of biology in Kansas City, Mo., received the President's Award for Teaching Excellence. Amanda Norton-St. George, an adjunct instructor of psychology in Gilbert, Ariz., received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence.
The complete list of awards presented during the Honors Convocation was available. Additional Presidential Awards and Faculty/Staff Awards were also presented. The criteria for the Outstanding Parkite Award, which likely includes demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, or service at Park University, significant contributions to the campus community or university mission, upholding the values and spirit of Park University, and possibly recommendations from faculty, staff, or peers, can be found on Park University's official website, student affairs office, or awards/recognition program pages.
Annastasia Bair and Skyler Jensen, both recognized for their exceptional achievements, demonstrated their commitment to education-and-self-development and personal-growth by embracing various learning opportunities at Park University. Annastasia Bair's accomplishments extended beyond academics, involving leadership roles, service projects, and community engagements. Skyler Jensen, on the other hand, showcased his abilities in multimedia journalism and public relations, earning multiple awards for his work and contributions to Park University's student newspaper, The Stylus.
