Gunderson given the title of President emeritus
Park University Announces Transition in Leadership
After a decade of dedicated service, President Greg Gunderson has announced his resignation from the presidency of Park University, effective immediately. The Board of Trustees has appointed Shane B. Smeed as the interim president, who has been serving in a presidential role since Gunderson's resignation.
Under Gunderson's leadership, Park University experienced significant growth and development. Fundraising efforts increased, and new campuses were launched. The University's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion was strengthened through the Valor Medals Review project, which Gunderson led.
The Pirate Pantry, a programme embodying the University's culture that values the well-being of all, was also created under Gunderson's leadership. Student support services and athletics expanded, and various technologies were implemented to enhance online learning.
Gunderson's tenure was marked by a historic faculty course redevelopment process and a thorough implementation of safeguards for multiple study modalities, particularly during the challenging days of the pandemic. His family, including his wife Laurie and their sons, have remained connected to Park University as #OneFamily.
President Gunderson expresses his well wishes for the University as it continues to navigate the pandemic. He thanks the Park community for the joy it has brought to him and his family. The community, in turn, joins in expressing gratitude for Gunderson's years of dedicated service.
In the interim, Shane Smeed has been appointed as acting president of Park University. Smeed has been serving as the president of Utah Tech University as of 2025, suggesting he holds or has held multiple leadership roles in higher education institutions. However, for Park University specifically, his role is that of interim president, appointed by the Board of Trustees since early 2021.
Gunderson will assume the position of president emeritus, a testament to his significant contributions to Park University. The University community wishes him and his family a safe and successful passage through the pandemic and a fulfilling future.
[1] Park University Board of Trustees Designates Shane B. Smeed as Interim President. (2021, January 1). Retrieved from https://www.park.edu/news/2021/01/park-university-board-of-trustees-designates-shane-b-smeed-as-interim-president
[3] Smeed, Shane B. (2021, December 10). Note from President Shane Smeed. Retrieved from https://www.park.edu/news/2021/12/note-from-president-shane-smeed
[4] Utah Tech University Names Shane Smeed as New President. (2021, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.utahtech.edu/news/2021/06/utah-tech-university-names-shane-smeed-as-new-president
[5] Smeed, Shane. (n.d.). About Shane Smeed. Retrieved from https://www.utahtech.edu/about/leadership/president/smeed-shane
- Park University's Board of Trustees, recognizing Shane B. Smeed's experience in education-and-self-development and career-development, appointed him as the interim president, mainly focusing on steering the University during this transition period.
- Smeed, with his extensive background in higher education, has the potential to facilitate advancements in both education-and-self-development and career-development at Park University, ensuring the University thrives and continues to grow in the future.
