Prospect Hill Gazette - April 2nd, 2021:
Park University has been making headlines in March, with a series of notable achievements, events, and partnerships.
The university's Parkville Campus was highlighted on TravelAwaits on March 24, showcasing its unique charm and academic offerings. On March 30, U.S. News and World Report released its 2022 best graduate school rankings, where Park University's Hauptmann School of Public Affairs was ranked No. 193 (tie) among the best public affairs graduate programs, and the Department of Social Work ranked No. 243 (tie) among best social work graduate programs.
In celebration of Women's History Month, Park University partnered with the Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections to honour significant women in the university's history. The Valor Medals Review, conducted by the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, was also featured in an opinion column that appeared in the Dallas Morning News on March 1.
Academically, Park University is making strides in various fields. Study.com ranked Park No. 42 on its "Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Programs" list, while BachelorsDegreeCenter.org ranked Park No. 10 on its "25 Best Bachelor's in Multimedia Design for 2021" list. Park University also offers an undergraduate certificate in Unmanned Aerial System Drone Application and has been selected for the Federal Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Collegiate Training Initiative.
The university is also committed to fostering research and creative arts. The Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium took place on April 19-20, while the Honors Convocation was held on April 21. Notable achievements include a paper authored by Camelin (Cochran) Sampson, a senior organizational communication major, being honored with the Lambda Pi Eta Top Paper Award by the Central States Communication Association.
In the realm of athletics, Park University continues to provide live video streams of Parkville Campus events and International Center for Music concerts. For home athletic events, students with student ID will be admitted to attend, and two family members of each Park student-athlete will be allowed admission on their respective game days.
Park University has also updated its spectator policy to ensure safety. Facilities will be capped at 25 percent capacity for spectators, with masks required at all times, temperature checks before entering any facility, and no concessions available. All spectators are required to fill out an RSVP form no later than 24 hours prior to the event they would like to attend.
The university is also actively involved in the community. Vince Clark, a board member of Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., where he chairs the finance committee and serves as treasurer, is one such example. Lorraine Moore, development director, was appointed to the board of directors for the Great Plains SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Upcoming events include the All-University Commencement Ceremony on May 8, where Vince Clark, the vice chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, will present the keynote address. The J. Malcolm Good Mathematics Lecture, featuring a virtual presentation by Nathan Albin, Ph.D., is scheduled for April 8.
The university is also recognising its exceptional students. Donovan Thompson, '07, was honoured by the North Central Missouri College Foundation as a member of its 2020 Distinguished Alumni Class. Kendall Stockard, a senior social psychology major, was selected as the champion of the extemporaneous commentary category at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament.
In conclusion, Park University continues to excel in various fields, from academics to community involvement, and is looking forward to a successful rest of the year with its upcoming events and recognitions.
Education and self-development are at the forefront of Park University's accomplishments, as evidenced by their rankings in various graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report, and their accolades in online studies and research symposiums.
