"The Crow's Nest's Update for August 8, 2024"
Park University has announced the appointment of Molly Pierson as the new Dean of Students, effective July 25. Pierson will oversee several departments, including residence life, student leadership and engagement, counseling, student conduct, crises and advocacy, new student and parent programs, and the Park Student Government Association.
In her new role, Pierson will collaborate with Park students, faculty, and staff to ensure student experiences align with the University's vision, mission, core values, and strategic plan priorities. The details about the initiatives she will support are yet to be disclosed.
On a different note, Yang Sun, Ph.D., dean of the College of Management, delivered the keynote speech at the Five-Ring (Olympics) Management Summit of China held virtually on July 12.
In academic achievements, Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed for several news outlets in Kansas City following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Harris was also interviewed for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM on July 22 in relation to the primary races for Missouri governor.
Harris continued to make headlines when he was interviewed live on KMBZ-FM's "Dana and Parks" for a similar 38-minute interview on July 15. He was also interviewed for a follow-up story that aired on KSHB-TV on July 16.
Camille Cook has been promoted to the role of director of library services at Park University, starting on Aug. 1. Cook will be responsible for the development and management of the University's McAfee Memorial Library.
In sports achievements, 66 Park University Parkville Campus student-athletes were recognized as 2023-24 Heart Scholar-Athletes by the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Two Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus women's golfers, Kim Albertus and Micaela Suhl, were named to the Women's Golf Coaches Association's 2023-34 All-American Scholar Team.
The Parkville Campus women's volleyball and beach volleyball teams were both recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association with the AVCA Team Academic Award. Joao Friedrich, a Parkville Campus men's volleyball player, was honored by the College Sports Communicators on the NAIA Academic All-America At-Large Team for 2023-24.
In recognition of business achievements, ECCO Select, an IT talent acquisition and advisory consulting company in Kansas City, Mo., led by Jeanette Prenger, '09, founder/chief executive officer, and a former chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, was ranked No. 6 on Ingram's (a Kansas City business magazine) list of top Kansas City area women-owned businesses, ranked by 2023 gross revenue, in the publication's June edition. ECCO Select also ranked No. 5 on Ingram's list of top Kansas City area minority-owned businesses, ranked by 2023 gross revenue.
Steve Wilson, '13 MPA, was promoted to the position of vice president of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics at William Woods University. A story about Mike Stolte, '14, being appointed as the chief of the Maryville (Mo.) Police Department appeared in the Maryville Forum on July 22.
Lastly, the 2024 Park University Golf Scramble, a four-person tournament that benefits the University's Parkville Campus athletics programs, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14, at The National Golf Club of Kansas City.
John Hamilton, Ph.D., professor emeritus of criminal justice administration, was interviewed by KSHB-TV in Kansas City on July 24 for a story related to an Illinois deputy being indicted for a shooting death of a woman earlier in the month. Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed for stories that aired on KCTV, KMBC-TV and WDAF-TV on July 21.
Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., has been appointed to the role of senior director for strategic initiatives and communications, and special assistant to the president for governance, starting on Aug. 1. MacLennan will support key stakeholders in the development, communication, and implementation of plans for the future of Park University.
Ilya Shmukler, a graduate piano student in Park University's International Center for Music, was featured in The Kansas City Star on July 7. Lauren Montgomery Gist, '12, was honored by the Kansas City (Mo.) Police Department on July 15 with a Life-Saving Award.
In other news, Debra Sheffer, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and professor of history, has been appointed as the chair of the Society for Military History's Book Award Committee for 2024-25.
Rob Duggan, MPA '21, was highlighted by the Gilbert (Ariz.) Chamber of Commerce on its website on July 9.
In sports news, Pierson will also serve as the chief judicial officer for Park University students nationwide and serve as the deputy Title IX coordinator for students. The search results do not provide any information about Pierson's initiatives she will support in this role.
- Pierson's responsibilities as the new Dean of Students at Park University extend beyond traditional student services, as she will also serve as the chief judicial officer for Park University students nationwide and serve as the deputy Title IX coordinator for students.
- Golf has been a successful sport for Park University, with two women's golfers, Kim Albertus and Micaela Suhl, being named to the Women's Golf Coaches Association's 2023-34 All-American Scholar Team.
- Outside of academics, business achievements at Park University are also worth noting. ECCO Select, an IT talent acquisition and advisory consulting company led by Jeanette Prenger, a former chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, was ranked among the top Kansas City area women-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses by Ingram's magazine.
- In the world of sports, Pierson will oversee the sports-betting and racing departments, in addition to traditional sports like baseball, hockey, sports, tennis, and mixed-martial arts. However, details about her initiatives in these areas are still unknown.
