Crow's Nest Report - December 6, 2023

Crow's Nest Report - December 6, 2023

Park University, located in Parkville, Missouri, has been making headlines recently for a variety of reasons. The governing body of the university, the Board of Trustees, plays a crucial role in overseeing the strategic direction, governance, financial health, and policy decisions of the institution. Their responsibilities include approving budgets, setting broad policies, employing senior administrators, and guiding the university's long-term goals. These roles are consistent with the typical responsibilities of Boards of Trustees at educational institutions.

In the sports arena, the Park University women's volleyball team has been garnering attention. On November 27, the team was featured on KCTV, KMBC-TV, and WDAF-TV in Kansas City as they prepared for the NAIA national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa. The team also led all Park teams with 15 selections for the 2023 Daktronics / NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Railey Druxman from the Gilbert Campus and Mateus Martins from the Parkville Campus women's volleyball team were also honoured, with Railey named to the AVCA/NAIA Southwest Region first team and Mateus being recognised as the region's Assistant Coach of the Year.

Academically, Park University has been recognised by Military Times, which ranked the institution No. 93 nationally on its "Best for Vets 2023 Colleges" list. The university also ranked No. 6 in the "Primarily Online" category; No. 14 in the U.S. central region; No. 82 among four-year schools; and No. 88 in general education.

The university's connection to the Manhattan Project, a significant event in the history of nuclear weapons, was highlighted on the Flatland KC website. Tim Westcott, Ph.D., professor of history and associate university archivist, was interviewed for the story.

Park University's faculty and alumni have also been making waves. Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was interviewed for a story posted on the International Journalists' Network website on "Advice for Covering the Israel-Hamas War." U.S. Air Force Gen. Earl O'Loughlin, '73, was featured in the Iosco County (Mich.) News-Herald. Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed for stories related to an ethics investigation into Missouri House of Representatives Speaker Dean Plocher.

In the world of business, ECCO Select, led by founder and CEO Jeanette Prenger, '09, was ranked No. 3 on Ingram's list of top minority-owned businesses and No. 5 on Ingram's list of top area women-owned businesses, based on 2022 gross revenue.

Melissa Ford, responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies at Park University, has been appointed as the university's chief advancement officer, effective December 1. Triumfia Houmbie Fulks, '14, a member of Park University's Civic Advisory Council, was announced as a winner of a $50,000 non-dilutive grant as part of Launch KC's competition.

The Park University International Center for Music's 2024 Stanislav and Friends event, set for March 8, 2024 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, was the featured cover photo of The Independent's (Kansas City's journal of society) November 25 edition. Behzod Abduraimov, Park University International Center for Music artist-in-residence, recorded a 12-minute piano performance that aired on "Performance Today" on WSCL-FM in Salisbury, Md.

In addition, John G. Wilson (Gatheru) was appointed as the vice president of program and development for the American Society for Quality's Kansas City section. Deborah Ground Buckner, '81, authored a guest commentary in tribute to former Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Richard Berkley (who passed away on Nov. 29) that was published in The Kansas City Star on Nov. 30. Carolyn Ward, '06, was selected by the New Bern (N.C.) Woman's Club as its 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Lastly, Lynette Jagbandhansingh-Wageman, '59, was featured in a "Sages Over 70" article that appeared in Hawaii Business magazine on Nov. 20.

Park University continues to be a vibrant and active institution, with achievements in sports, academics, business, and community involvement.

1. The Park University women's volleyball team, highlighted in sports news outlets like KCTV, KMBC-TV, and WDAF-TV, has also excelled academically, leading all Park teams with 15 selections for the 2023 Daktronics / NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
2. Park University's faculty and alumni, such as Steve Youngblood and Melissa Ford, have been actively involved in the general news sector, with Steve contributing advice on covering the Israel-Hamas War, and Melissa being appointed as the university's chief advancement officer.

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