Acknowledging Academic Successes of 2021-22 Academic Year at Park University
Park University Honours Multiple Achievers at Annual Convocation
The annual Honors Convocation at Park University, held on April 20, 2022, on the Parkville (Mo.) Campus, recognised several outstanding faculty members and students for their exceptional contributions.
Among the recipients was Diane Simpson, Ed.S., an assistant professor of education from Kansas City, Mo., who received the President's Award for Teaching Excellence. Simpson's dedication to education and her impact on students' lives were highlighted in the ceremony.
Joshua Mugg, Ph.D., an assistant professor of philosophy from Kansas City, Mo., was another recipient, receiving the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award. Mugg's scholarly work and commitment to academic excellence were commended during the event.
Dmitry Gimon, Ph.D., an associate professor of information systems and business analytics from Kansas City, Mo., was honoured with the Excellence in Academic Advising Award. Gimon's dedication to guiding students towards academic success was celebrated at the ceremony.
In the student category, Bayan Salam, a senior majoring in criminal justice administration/law enforcement and psychology, was named the Park University homecoming queen in Fall 2021. Salam's achievements in academics and extracurricular activities were recognised, including her induction into Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, and being named the 2021 Park Servant of the Year.
Salam also received the Outstanding Parkite Award, the most prestigious honour at Park University. Sophie Roper, a senior majoring in business administration/computer information management and logistics, was also awarded the Outstanding Parkite Award. Roper, who has a 4.11 grade point average and is a member of Park's Honors Academy, also earned Presidential Scholar honours three times and received several other awards, including the 2022 and 2021 Park University Business Faculty Award.
Karen Ratliff, Ph.D., an adjunct instructor of business administration from Chicago, Ill., received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence. Greg Claycomb, professor of chemistry from Leavenworth, Kan., was honoured with the J.L. Zwingle Award.
Rebekah Rothacher, a senior majoring in chemistry from Kansas City, Mo. (attended Northland Christian Academy), received the Louisa Davidson Hinde / Carolyn Hinde Zarkaryan Memorial Award. Manoj Khatiwada, a senior majoring in business administration/management from Itahari, Nepal, was also a recipient of this award.
These awards serve as a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of the faculty and students at Park University, fostering an environment of academic excellence and personal growth.
Dedicated faculty members like Diane Simpson and Karen Ratliff, through their exceptional contributions to education and self-development, are driving personal growth at Park University. Student recipients of awards, such as Bayan Salam and Sophie Roper, are actively demonstrating the link between education, learning, and personal growth, reflecting the university's commitment to fostering academic excellence.
