Local News Update: Crow's Nest, June 7th, 2023
Park University in the Spotlight: Achievements and Recognitions
Park University continues to make waves in various fields, with numerous faculty members, students, and programmes receiving recognition and accolades. Here are some recent highlights:
Baseball Prospect Evan LaMunyon Signs with Park University
Evan LaMunyon, a senior pitcher/infielder at Montezuma-Cortez High School in Colorado, has signed to play baseball at Park University's flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus. His signing was reported in The Journal on May 2.
Fulbright Scholar Steve Youngblood's Impact in Moldova
Steve Youngblood, an associate professor of communication arts at Park University, has been selected as a 2023-24 Fulbright Scholar. His work in Moldova during the 2023-24 academic year has had a significant impact in advancing peace journalism and combating misinformation in the region.
Youngblood's efforts focused on educating students, journalists, and media professionals about responsible and ethical reporting practices, emphasizing the importance of peace journalism—a model that encourages coverage promoting conflict resolution, understanding, and non-violence rather than sensationalism or polarizing narratives.
Business Programs Receive Accreditation
Park University's business programs have received reaffirmed accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. This recognition underscores the university's commitment to providing high-quality business education.
Faculty Achievements
Adrian James, Ph.D., associate dean of Park University's College of Management and associate professor of management, was featured in the Platte County (Mo.) Citizen on May 16 related to her four years spent living in Qatar.
John Hamilton, Ph.D., professor emeritus of criminal justice administration, was interviewed for a story on KMBC-TV in Kansas City on May 30 related to ways to reduce violent crime following a Memorial Day weekend.
Kathy Howe, an associate professor of literacy education and director of the Watson Literacy Center at Park University, co-authored the article "Opening the Circle to Support Dyslexia Policy Success: Learning From the Voices of Literacy Teacher Educators" that was published in the Literacy Practice and Research journal.
Academic and Research Projects
Donald Chrusciel, an adjunct instructor of business administration at Park University, authored a paper on "Influencing Workforce Engagement Using Ad Hoc Team Huddles" that was published in The Learning Organization.
A panel of the National Academy of Public Administration released an academic study on "U.S. Coast Guard Academy Admissions Process Assessment" which includes Erik Bergrud, chief strategic communications officer at Park University.
Community Engagement
The sports information team at Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus was named as the California Pacific Conference 2022-23 Sports Information Department of the Year.
An "Agency Catalog for Housing Insecurity" for the Kansas City Northland community, produced by Park University's Department of Criminal Justice Administration and Department of Social Work, was featured on KCTV in Kansas City on May 15.
Recognitions and Honours
Three individuals and one team will be officially recognized as the Wall of Honor Class of 2023 by Park University's Department of Athletics.
Cynthia Levin, '77, the producing artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., announced her retirement effective June 2024, as reported on the Broadway World website on May 31.
Merideth Rose, '06, MPA '08, was recognized by the Kansas City Royals on May 2 to sit in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat.
Upcoming Events
Park University has several upcoming events, including Fairchild Air Force Base (Wash.) Campus Commencement on June 8, Juneteenth Holiday on June 19, Beaufort (S.C.) Marine Corps Air Station Campus Commencement on June 23, Kansas City Symphony Concert with Pianist Kenny Broberg from June 23-25, Midwest Retreat for Diversity in Chemistry from June 23-25, Summer I Term / Junemester Ends on July 2, Summer II Term / Julymester Begins on July 3, Independence Day Holiday on July 4, and Summer Session / Summer II / Julymester Classes End on July 30.
Athletic Achievements
A story on Isari Vigil, a senior at San Luis High School in Yuma, Ariz., signing to play women's volleyball at Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus, aired on KSWT-TV and KYMA-TV in Yuma on May 24.
Documentary Release
The documentary "More Than A Medal," which explores the work of the Valor Medals Review Project by Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, is now available on YouTube, CuriosityStream, HistoryHit, and Vimeo.
Artistic Recognition
Behzod Abduraimov, International Center for Music artist-in-residence at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, Mo., received reviews on Bachtrack and KC Studio websites for a concert on May 11.
A round porch, designed by four Park University interior design students, was voted as the No. 3 favorite room at the Kansas City Symphony's Designers' Showhouse.
Political Science Insights
Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, was interviewed for stories related to Missouri not legalizing sports gambling on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on May 18. He also authored an article related to the U.S. national debt ceiling that appeared in The Conversation and was picked up by numerous other news outlets on May 31.
Notable Alumni Achievements
Raphael Perachi Vieira, '12, was featured in a "Five Questions" article on Coletiva.net news site in Brazil on May 4. 1st Sgt. Harry Johnson, '12, was featured in the Aiken (S.C.) Standard on May 27, discussing his role as the new leader of the Naval Junior ROTC program at Strom Thurmond High School.
Benay Shannon, MAT '03, was named to the Kansas City Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business class of 2023 on May 25.
Youngblood will also work with two journalism organizations and a youth organization while in Moldova. His work in Moldova will focus on peace journalism and countering misinformation. By fostering a more informed and conscientious media environment, his work supports Moldova's democratic development and societal resilience against divisive and false information.
Overall, Steve Youngblood’s contributions have helped build local capacity for producing balanced, peace-oriented journalism and have empowered media professionals to act as more effective gatekeepers against misinformation, promoting a healthier public discourse in Moldova.
- Park University's Associate Professor of Communication Arts, Steve Youngblood, emphasizes the importance of 'learning' and 'education-and-self-development' as he works to educate students, journalists, and media professionals about responsible and ethical reporting practices, advocating for 'personal-growth' in advancing peace journalism.
- The educational achievements of Park University alumni, such as Raphael Perachi Vieira, '12, and Benay Shannon, MAT '03, demonstrate the university's commitment to fostering 'personal-growth' and 'learning' in its students, with Benay Shannon being named to the Kansas City Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business class of 2023.
