Latest Announcement: Park University Lists Its Top Ten Newsworthy Events in 2018
Park University experienced a series of significant events and accomplishments in 2018, marking a year of growth and achievement for the institution.
Perhaps the most notable accomplishment of the year was the victory of Park University's women's volleyball team in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship in December. This win marked a significant milestone for the university's sports programme.
In terms of expansion, Park University opened a new campus in Gilbert, Ariz., and began offering classes in October. This marked the first time that a Park campus other than the flagship Parkville Campus would offer intercollegiate athletics, with the Gilbert Campus set to start in Fall 2019.
The university also saw an increase in enrollment for the fifth consecutive academic term. Since the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year, Park University's overall enrollment nationwide has grown 4.5 percent over the 2016-17 academic year.
In the realm of academics, Michelle Myers, Ed.D., was appointed provost of Park University in October. The university also received $1.8 million from three Kansas City area foundations for the construction of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, which will become the home of Park's School of Business.
Park University also made strides in the world of esports, announcing it would offer a varsity esports program starting in Spring 2019. This move made Park the first college/university in the Kansas City area to offer a varsity esports program.
In recognition of her contributions to the community, Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, was named the 2018 Kansas Citian of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Moreover, Park University President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., was elected to a special one-year appointment to serve on the Board of Directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. This was the first time a Park president has served on the GKCCC board.
Laurel Gagnon, a graduate and current student in Park University's International Center for Music, placed fourth in the Singapore International Violin Competition, another notable achievement for the university's music programme.
Lastly, the Kansas City Chiefs signed a partnership agreement with Park University, making Park the Chiefs' first-ever official higher education partner.
While a comprehensive list of events specific to 2018 may not be readily available in publicly indexed search results, these highlights showcase a year of significant developments and accomplishments for Park University. For a more detailed list of 2018 events, one might consider checking Park University’s own archives, newspapers, or contacting the university’s communications office.
- The university's School of Business received a substantial grant of $1.8 million for the construction of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, indicating a focus on finance and technology.
- Park University made a stride in education-and-self-development by announcing a varsity esports program, setting a trend in sports and technology.
