Events and News Highlights from Park University in the Year 2023
In the heart of 2023, Park University experienced a significant wave of achievements, recognition, and milestones that resonated both nationally and internationally.
The year began on a high note with the University receiving a $108,758 grant from U.S. Trust: Victor E. Speas Foundation. This generous donation supported the Sport and Exercise Science and Nursing programs at Park University, enabling the purchase of essential equipment such as a portable metabolic analyzer and clinical skills simulation mannequins.
The University's academic prowess was further showcased when Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, authored an insightful article on Taylor Swift's political influence. His piece garnered global attention, being published in The Conversation and picked up by media outlets worldwide. Harris also made headlines with live interviews on KCBS-AM in San Francisco and 630 CHED (Edmonton, Canada) / QR Radio (Calgary, Canada).
The Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus men's volleyball team continued to shine, winning five of the six major awards announced by the Heart of America Athletic Conference in March. Joao Friedrich, a junior outside hitter, was selected as the HAAC Player of the Year and Attacker of the Year, adding another feather to the team's cap.
Sports accolades were not limited to the volleyball court. Zackery Fritz, a sophomore nursing major and a member of Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus esports team, was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference's first-ever Esports League of Legends Player of the Year.
Park University's rich history was spotlighted in the biographical film "Oppenheimer," which highlighted the Frances Fishburne Archives and Special Collections in Kansas City region news outlets.
Claude English, retired director of athletics and former men's basketball head coach at Park University's flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus, was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his significant contributions to the world of sports.
The University also celebrated a new milestone with its Kansas City Area Commencement held at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Mo., for the first time. A total of 705 students were eligible to participate in the ceremony.
Amidst these accomplishments, the documentary "More Than A Medal," which explores the work of the Valor Medals Review Project by Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, was placed on availability on YouTube, CuriosityStream, HistoryHit, and Vimeo.
The year was marked by numerous events and stories that the University's Office of Strategic Communications compiled, providing a comprehensive overview of Park University's momentous 2023.
Three Park University alumni, Joseph McKibben, Hugh Richards, and John Cory, were connected to the Manhattan Project, a World War II research program that produced the first nuclear weapons. This historical connection added another layer to the University's rich history.
Cliff Illig, principal owner of Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City franchise and retired co-founder of Cerner Corp., presented the keynote address, further emphasizing the University's connections to the wider community.
Lastly, Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was selected as a 2023-24 Fulbright Scholar by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for the third time in his career.
In summary, 2023 was a year of significant achievements, recognition, and milestones for Park University. From academic successes to historical connections, the University continued to make its mark, both within its community and on a global stage.
- The academic achievements of Park University extended to education and self-development, as Matt Harris, Ph.D., an associate professor of political science, authored an insightful article on Taylor Swift's political influence and was recognized globally.
- The University's commitment to life-long learning and personal growth was evident in the success of Zackery Fritz, a sophomore nursing major and the Heart of America Athletic Conference's first-ever Esports League of Legends Player of the Year.
