Latest Headlines: The Crow's Nest, 8th August, 2024
Park University Updates: Notable Achievements and Appointments
Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, has been making waves in the media, with interviews on KMBZ-FM, KCTV, KMBC-TV, WDAF-TV, and KCUR-FM in the past month. On July 15, he was interviewed for a 38-minute interview on KMBZ-FM's "Dana and Parks" to discuss political violence and concerns following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. On July 23, he was featured on KMBC-TV, discussing a controversial ad by Bill Eigel, who was running for Missouri governor.
In other news, Molly Pierson has been appointed as the dean of students at Park University, effective July 25. Pierson will oversee student affairs, support student development and well-being, manage student services and discipline, and promote a positive campus environment. She will also serve as the chief judicial officer for Park University students nationwide and serve as the deputy Title IX coordinator for students.
Pierson will collaborate with Park students, faculty, and staff to ensure student experiences align with the University's vision, mission, core values, and strategic plan priorities. She will also be responsible for overseeing residence life, student leadership and engagement, counselling, student conduct, crises and advocacy, new student and parent programs, and the Park Student Government Association.
Steve Wilson, '13 MPA, was promoted to the position of vice president of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics at William Woods University. The news was featured in the Fulton (Mo.) Sun on July 18. Wilson will be responsible for overseeing student engagement and intercollegiate athletics at the university.
Ilya Shmukler, a graduate piano student in Park University's International Center for Music, was featured in The Kansas City Star on July 7. Shmukler has been making a name for himself in the music world, with performances at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues.
Several Park University teams have also been recognized for their academic achievements. The Parkville Campus women's volleyball and beach volleyball teams were both recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on July 17 with the AVCA Team Academic Award. 66 Park University student-athletes were recognized as 2023-24 Heart Scholar-Athletes on July 16.
In addition, Kim Albertus and Micaela Suhl, two Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus women's golfers, were named to the Women's Golf Coaches Association's 2023-34 All-American Scholar Team on July 1.
Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus and Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus athletic departments were both recognized on July 31 as a 2023-24 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star institution at the gold level. This recognition highlights the departments' commitment to character development, integrity, and sportsmanship.
In other news, Joao Friedrich, a Parkville Campus men's volleyball player and May 2024 graduate, was honored July 17 by the College Sports Communicators on the NAIA Academic All-America At-Large Team for 2023-24.
Rob Duggan, MPA '21, was highlighted by the Gilbert (Ariz.) Chamber of Commerce on its website on July 9. Duggan has been making a name for himself in the business world, with his work in the community and his commitment to Park University.
Mike Stolte, '14, was appointed as the chief of the Maryville (Mo.) Police Department and the news was featured in the Maryville Forum on July 22. Stolte has been working in law enforcement for several years and has a strong commitment to the community.
John Hamilton, Ph.D., professor emeritus of criminal justice administration, was interviewed by KSHB-TV in Kansas City on July 24 for a story related to an Illinois deputy being indicted for a shooting death of a woman earlier in the month.
Yang Sun, Ph.D., dean of the College of Management, presented the keynote speech for the Five-Ring (Olympics) Management Summit of China held virtually on July 12.
Debra Sheffer, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and professor of history, has been appointed as the chair of the Society for Military History's Book Award Committee for 2024-25.
Camille Cook has been promoted to the role of director of library services at Park University, effective Aug. 1. Cook will be responsible for the development and management of the University's McAfee Memorial Library. She will also serve as a faculty librarian in key areas of library services, such as collection and archives management, and digital services.
Finally, ECCO Select, an IT talent acquisition and advisory consulting company in Kansas City, Mo., led by Jeanette Prenger, '09, founder/chief executive officer, and a former chair of Park University's Board of Trustees, was ranked No. 6 on Ingram's list of top Kansas City area women-owned businesses, ranked by 2023 gross revenue, in the publication's June edition. ECCO Select also ranked No. 5 on Ingram's list of top Kansas City area minority-owned businesses, ranked by 2023 gross revenue.
Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., has been appointed to the role of senior director for strategic initiatives and communications, and special assistant to the president for governance, effective Aug. 1. MacLennan will lead the University's strategic communications efforts and support Park's strategic planning process. He will also work closely with faculty and staff leaders, serving as chair of the University Commission on Shared Governance.
- The education and self-development sector has also seen progress at Park University, as Camille Cook, appointed as the director of library services on Aug. 1, will be responsible for the development and management of the University's McAfee Memorial Library and serve as a faculty librarian in key areas.
- General news outlets, including The Kansas City Star, have highlighted achievements in sports and the music world, such as Ilya Shmukler, a graduate piano student in Park University's International Center for Music, who has performed at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues, and Steve Wilson, '13 MPA, who was promoted to the position of vice president of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics at William Woods University.
