"The Crow's Nest - February 6, 2024 Report"
In the vibrant heart of Parkville, Missouri, Park University made headlines in 2023 with a series of significant events and achievements.
The year began on a dramatic note as Mackay Hall on the flagship campus was struck by lightning on April 10, sparking news media stories across the region. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the university promptly initiated repairs.
A notable appointment was made in February, with Andrew Shoffner, Ph.D., stepping into the role of vice president for strategic initiatives at Park University, effective from the 5th of the same month.
One of the year's most exciting developments was the articulation agreement signed between Park University and Metropolitan Community College on January 24. This agreement paved the way for MCC graduates to seamlessly transition towards earning a bachelor's degree at Park.
Academically, Park University continued to excel, with faculty members publishing groundbreaking research and contributing to prestigious journals. For instance, Brad Kleindl, Ph.D., a professor of marketing, co-authored an article titled "An Epigenetic View of Organizational Cultures, Learning and Memory in Dynamic Environments" which was published in the December 2023 edition of Organizational Cultures: An International Journal.
The university's Faculty Center for Innovation also played a pivotal role in fostering academic growth. Jamie Els, Ed.D., the programming director, authored an article titled "WWW (When Websites Work): Students' Perceptions of Their Engagement When Using a Website Creation Tool," which was published in the December 2023 edition of Perspectives in Learning.
The International Center for Music at Park University also had a busy schedule, with six concerts held between February and March, including the fifth annual Stanislav and Friends concert on March 8, 2023.
Outside the academic realm, Park University and its affiliates made headlines in various fields. Behzod Abduraimov, the university's artist-in-residence at the International Center for Music, was the featured cover photo for the January/February issue of International Piano magazine.
Meanwhile, codeAlgo Academy, co-founded by Triumfia Houmbie Fulks, a 2014 Park University graduate, was named as one of 10 "Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024" by Startland News.
In the realm of sports, Kelly Stinnett, head coach of the Park University Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus baseball team, appeared on the "Baseball and BBQ" podcast on January 20.
Park University also garnered national and international attention for notable events and stories throughout the year. The release of the biographical film "Oppenheimer" in summer 2023 highlighted Park University's Frances Fishburne Archives and Special Collections in Kansas City region news outlets.
The Urban League of Greater Kansas City, led by Gwendolyn Grant, president and chief executive officer and a 1994 Park University graduate, was also in the spotlight, with Grant serving as the featured speaker of a Black History Month program on February 7, 2023.
Lastly, Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church in Parkville, Missouri, received a $160,000 Preserving Black Churches grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a story that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on January 17.
For a comprehensive and detailed summary of Park University's top 10 events and stories from 2023, we recommend visiting the university's official website or contacting the Office of Strategic Communications directly for a year-end report or news compilation.
- Amidst the triumphant narrative of Park University in 2023, the institution's commitment to education-and-self-development was evident through scholarly contributions, such as Dr. Brad Kleindl's article on organizational cultures published in Organizational Cultures: An International Journal.
- The year also saw the launch of codeAlgo Academy, co-founded by Triumfia Houmbie Fulks, a 2014 Park University graduate, furthering the university's dedication to fostering new opportunities in education-and-self-development.
