The Crow's Nest Daily Update - December 6, 2023
Park University Achievements and Appointments
Park University has been making headlines recently with a series of notable achievements and appointments. Here's a roundup of some of the key events that have taken place.
Scholars and Scholar-Athletes
A total of 56 student-athletes from the Parkville and Gilbert campuses were named 2023 Daktronics / NAIA Scholar-Athletes. The Parkville Campus women's volleyball team led all Park teams with 15 selections for the Scholar-Athletes, and three players from the same team earned 2023 American Volleyball Coaches Association / NAIA Midwest Region first team honors. Railey Druxman, a sophomore outside hitter from the Gilbert Campus, was named to the AVCA/NAIA Southwest Region first team.
Academic and Community Recognition
Park University was ranked No. 93 nationally by Military Times on its "Best for Vets 2023 Colleges" list, published on Nov. 6. Casey Bradley, '04, was featured in a story that appeared in the Sheboygan (Wis.) Press on Nov. 21, after being appointed as the Sheboygan city administrator on Oct. 21. Deborah Ground Buckner, '81, authored a guest commentary in tribute to former Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Richard Berkley (who passed away on Nov. 29) that was published in The Kansas City Star on Nov. 30. Triumfia Houmbie Fulks, '14, was announced as a winner of a $50,000 non-dilutive grant as part of Launch KC's competition on Nov. 14 in Kansas City, Mo.
Appointments and Interviews
Melissa Ford has been appointed as the Chief Advancement Officer at Park University, effective Dec. 1. In her role as CAO, Ford is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies. Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on Oct. 8, related to an ethics investigation into Missouri House of Representatives Speaker Dean Plocher. He was also interviewed for stories that aired on KMBC-TV/KCWE-TV in Kansas City on Oct. 7 and 8 related to candidates in Johnson County (Kan.) school board elections raising tens of thousands in campaign fundraising.
Recognition for Excellence
Mateus Martins was named the region's Assistant Coach of the Year. ECCO Select, led by founder and chief executive officer Jeanette Prenger, '09, was ranked No. 3 on Ingram's list of top minority-owned businesses and No. 5 on Ingram's list of top area women-owned businesses, both based on 2022 gross revenue, in the publication's November issue. A 12-minute piano performance by Behzod Abduraimov, Park University's International Center for Music artist-in-residence, recorded during a concert in May in Morrow, Ga., aired on "Performance Today" on WSCL-FM in Salisbury, Md., on Nov. 24.
Community Engagement
Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was interviewed for a story on "Advice for Covering the Israel-Hamas War" that appeared on the International Journalists' Network website on Nov. 14. Brad Biles, director of communications and public relations, and Jacqueline Clark served as panelists at the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America's annual PRSSA Student Summit. The Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus women's volleyball team was highlighted on KCTV, KMBC-TV and WDAF-TV in Kansas City on Nov. 27 as each aired stories on the team's send off to the NAIA national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.
Governance and Leadership
The Board of Trustees at Park University serves as the university's governing body responsible for overseeing its overall direction and governance. In their role, they elect leadership positions within the board and ensure effective governance over the university's operations and strategic initiatives. The mission of the Board aligns with guiding Park University in fulfilling its educational purpose and sustaining its long-term vision.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Board elected new leadership, with Melissa Ford taking over as the Chief Advancement Officer. Ford will work with the University's Board of Trustees and the Park University International Center for Music Foundation Board.
Notable Alumni
Part one of a feature story on John Gillette, an 1892 Park University graduate, appeared in The Forum of Fargo (N.D.) - Moorhead (Minn.) on Nov. 26. U.S. Air Force Gen. Earl O'Loughlin, '73, was featured in the Iosco County (Mich.) News-Herald on Nov. 27. Lynette Jagbandhansingh-Wageman, '59, was featured in a "Sages Over 70" article that appeared in Hawaii Business magazine on Nov. 20. Carolyn Ward, '06, was selected by the New Bern (N.C.) Woman's Club as its 2023 Citizen of the Year.
These achievements and appointments highlight the vibrant and dynamic community at Park University, demonstrating its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement.
- The academic achievements of students at Park University were recognized in the 2023 Daktronics / NAIA Scholar-Athletes, with the Parkville Campus women's volleyball team leading all teams with 15 selections, and three players from the team earning 2023 American Volleyball Coaches Association / NAIA Midwest Region first team honors.
- The university's commitment to community engagement is showcased through appointments, as Melissa Ford was appointed as the Chief Advancement Officer at Park University, responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
