Proclamation in The Crow's Nest, dated January 3, 2025:
In the world of music, arts, and sports, Park University in Missouri continues to make waves. Here's a round-up of recent news and achievements from the vibrant institution.
Music and Performances
The Park ICM Orchestra, a renowned ensemble, will take centre stage in the 2024-25 season's next concert on February 7, 2025, at the 1900 Building in Mission Woods, Kan. The performance will feature guest conductor Jason Seber, former associate conductor of the Kansas City Symphony. Tickets for this much-anticipated event are available through Eventbrite.
Meanwhile, Michael Davidman, a talented Park University student, is performing with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on December 8. His appearance is part of the 2025 American Piano Awards, with the final rounds scheduled to take place between March 31 and April 5, in Indianapolis.
Athletics and Academics
Izabella Ceratti, a leading figure in volleyball under Coach Michael Talamantes at Park University's Parkville Campus, has been making strides in the athletic realm. While specific academic achievements are not detailed, she is mentioned alongside notable athletic accomplishments, indicating a significant role in the university's volleyball program.
Ceratti led the Park University women's volleyball team in points (366) and kills (344) during the 2024 season, with a hitting percentage of .240. Her team's achievements have been recognised, with twelve student-athletes earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition.
Community and Campus Life
Park University students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to sign up for ParkAlert, a mass notification system that can alert the University community with time-sensitive messages via text, voice, and email. The system will be used to notify the University community with important/urgent/emergency messages and/or weather-related alerts and updates.
In a commendable effort, the Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections will be placing puzzles featuring images of buildings of the University's flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus past and present around the campus in mid-January 2025.
Academic Achievements
In the realm of academics, Kenny Broberg, a 2021 Park University International Center for Music Master of Music graduate, won the 2021 APA. Tom Kuehnel, a sophomore political science major, authored an article titled "Why did NATO's Post-Cold War Policy Toward Russia Fail?" that was published in the recent edition of InterAgency Journal.
Moreover, Terry Calaway, Park University Board of Trustees chair, co-authored an opinion article titled "Paradigm Shift: DEI, Anti-DEI or Underrepresentation?" that appeared on the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education website on Dec. 8.
J'Vonelle Simpson, a Park University alumna, was featured in the Jamaica Observer, a newspaper in her home country, on Dec. 17. She used a tragic incident—being shot in the leg by a stray bullet when she was 6-years-old in her hometown of Kingston—as motivation to pursue sports as physical therapy, including soccer, which landed her at Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus as a member of the women's soccer team.
In a different context, Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, provided comments for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on Dec. 10 related to the plans the Missouri Legislature has in store for 2025.
A story about the efforts of Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War and the Valor Medals Review Project appeared in Task & Purpose, a publication for the military community, on Dec. 10. A similar story related to indigenous World War I veterans who are being reviewed as part of the Valor Medals Review Project appeared in Military Times (and four other related publications) on Dec. 24.
Lastly, Tim Westcott, Ph.D., director of the Robb Centre and professor of history, was interviewed for the article.
[1] Source: Park University's official website and various news outlets.
At Park University, education and self-development extend beyond music and arts, with sports also playing a significant role. Izabella Ceratti, a prominent figure in volleyball under Coach Michael Talamantes, has been making strides in the athletic realm, demonstrating the university's commitment to nurturing well-rounded student-athletes. Moreover, J'Vonelle Simpson, a Park University alumna, used her experiences to pursue sports as a form of physical therapy, showcasing the university's impact on its students' personal growth.
