Title Unaltered: The Crow's Nest - May 5, 2025
Park University, located in Parkville, Missouri, has been a hub of activity and success recently. From academic accolades to artistic achievements, the institution continues to shine.
Two alumnae, Mara Cohara, J.D., and Destiny Bounds, MA '13, were recognised by Missouri Lawyers Media with Women's Justice Awards. Cohara, secretary of Park University's Board of Trustees and an attorney with Lathrop GPM, and Bounds, founder of Bounds Law, have made significant contributions to the legal field.
In the world of music, three pianists from Park University's International Center for Music will participate in the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The competition, renowned for showcasing the world's best young pianists, promises to be an exciting showcase for Park University's talented musicians.
The Pirates, Park University's athletic team, ended their national tourney with a 18-8 record, a testament to their formidable skills. Both losses in the national tourney were against NAIA competition, marking the only blemishes in an otherwise impressive season.
The Park University Parkville Campus women's beach volleyball team made history by advancing to the NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball National Invitational Tournament semifinals for the first time.
Academically, Dr. Kathrine Swanson, a prominent figure at Park University, has earned a graduate certificate in leadership coaching from Avila University. Swanson, who has served as vice chancellor for student success and engagement at MCC, was recently appointed as the interim president of Park University, effective April 23.
Several faculty members, including Tamera Jenkins, Ph.D., Courtney Rilinger, Ph.D., and Alivia Zubrod, Ph.D., have been selected as Scholarship Fellows for the 2025-26 academic year. Their research projects, titled "Media Depictions of Offenders' Families" and "Supporting and Teaching Contemporary Students," aim to contribute to the academic discourse at Park University.
In the realm of arts, six senior art students will showcase their work in a pair of exhibits at Park University, while graphic design students will present their work on May 9 at the VIP Special Event Space in Parkville.
Rosjai Curtis, a freshman track and field athlete, was announced as the NAIA Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week for the week of March 24. At the Central College Invitational in Pella, Iowa, on March 28, Curtis set a Park school record in the triple jump with a leap of 12.41 meters (40 feet, 8.75 inches), earning an "A" standard mark for the NAIA Women's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
Park's student journalists earned 23 awards, including six first place honors, at the conference. The university's competitive cheer program brought home the third place trophy from the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in its first existence.
On the academic front, Abby Beagel, a senior communication arts/multimedia journalism major and editor-in-chief of Park University's student newspaper, The Stylus, was recognised as the Journalist of the Year at the Missouri College Media Association's annual conference.
Jeanette Hernandez Prenger, founder and CEO of ECCO Select, will present the keynote address during Park University's Kansas City Area Commencement on May 10. Catherine O'Sullivan has been appointed to the role of director of development and alumni engagement within the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Park University.
The Banneker School Foundation will host a Jazz and Folk Festival on June 7 in Parkville's English Landing Park. The Banneker School Fundraiser concert, free and open to the public, will be held to raise funds for the continued restoration of the Banneker School. Attendees are encouraged to donate funds or purchase a brick that will contribute to the project's capital campaign fund.
Details about the event, including donation/purchase information, can be found on the Banneker School's website at bannekerschoolourvillemo.org/events/second-annual-jazz-and-folk-festival. A concert featuring the father-daughter duo of pianist Stanislav Ioudenitch and violinist Maria Ioudenitch will close out the International Center for Music season.
The search for a permanent president of Park University is ongoing, but no updates or announcements can be confirmed at this time. For the most accurate and current details, it is recommended to check Park University’s official website or their recent press releases. University leadership searches typically involve the formation of a search committee, candidate recruitment and application period, interview phases including campus visits, and a final selection and announcement. This process spans several months, but no exact timeline or candidate updates for Park University are found in the provided data.
In conclusion, Park University continues to thrive, with achievements in academics, arts, and athletics. The future looks promising as the institution continues to nurture and celebrate the success of its students and faculty.
In the spirit of holistic education and self-development, Dr. Kathrine Swanson, who has been appointed as the interim president of Park University, has recently earned a graduate certificate in leadership coaching from Avila University.
Adding to the diversity of opportunities offered at Park University, Abby Beagel, a senior communication arts/multimedia journalism major, was recognized as the Journalist of the Year at the Missouri College Media Association's annual conference, showcasing the institution's success in areas beyond academics and sports.
