Acknowledgement of Leadership Achievements at Park University Spans Through the 2023-24 Academic Year, Thanks to the Howell Awards
Park University Celebrates Outstanding Achievers at the 29th Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards
On April 10, 2024, Park University held its 29th annual Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards ceremony. The event, organised by the Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association, honoured a diverse group of individuals for their exceptional contributions to the university community.
The evening began with the presentation of the Outstanding Class Member Awards. Isabella Clark and Neyamia Powell were recognised for their outstanding achievements as senior class members, while Lauren Buck and Marissa Wortkoetter received similar accolades for the sophomore class, and Ashlee Dureka and Rylee Reece for the junior class.
The Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards were presented to a distinguished group of recipients. These awards, named in honour of Dr. Doris Howell, a 1944 Park graduate who was an internationally renowned leader in pediatrics and hospice care, recognise individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and contributions in their fields. This year's recipients included Debora Bernardi, Iva Drobnjak, Jade Galligo, Zach Porter, Patrick Robichaud, Gabrielle de Oliveira Sandins, Suzanne Schmidt, Joazee Smith, Patricia Carrio Ubeda, and Elijah Wilhelm.
Other notable awards included the Park Family Award, which was presented to Eugene Matthews, Ph.D., the Student Employee of the Year Award, which was given to Grace Wahab, a junior management major from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the Student Success and Impact Award, which was received by Melody Alexander, adjunct instructor of communication studies and adviser to The Stylus, Park University's online student newspaper, from Lawrence, Kan.
The Park Servant Leader of the Year Award was presented to Makayla Artis, a senior political science/American politics major from Elkton, Ky., while Ali Haider Sian, a graduate student pursuing Master of Science degree in information systems and business analytics from Doha, Qatar, received the Graduate Assistant of the Year Award.
Alyssa Acuna, associate director of student engagement and inclusion from Lenexa, Kan., was awarded the Staff Newcomer of the Year Award, and Jayme Uden, Ed.D. chief human resources officer who served as associate vice president and dean of students from Olathe, Kan., was recognised with the Special Award - Honors in Student Advising.
In a special tribute, Bilemanga (Sarah) Fataki received the Toni Griggs Award, and Phi Epsilon Kappa, a new student organization, was awarded the New Student Organization of the Year Award. Lastly, The Stylus, Park University's online student newspaper, was named Student Organization of the Year.
For more information about the history and purpose of Park University’s Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards, we recommend consulting Park University’s official website or contacting their administration or alumni office. They would provide authoritative information about how and why the awards were established, whom they honour, and their role in promoting leadership at the university.
- The Dr. Doris A. Howell Leadership Awards, held at the 29th ceremony, not only honor individuals for their outstanding leadership qualities and contributions but also recognize their significant achievements in the realms of education and self-development through learning.
- The evening's event, organized by Park University's Office of Student Life and the Park Student Government Association, not only emphasizes the value of learning and development but also acknowledges the accomplishments of students who excel in both academics and leadership.
