The Crow's Nest: March 4th, 2022 Update
Park University, a vibrant institution located in Parkville, Missouri, has been making headlines recently. From music to sports, history to politics, the university continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence and global citizenship.
In the realm of music, Maria Ioudenitch, a former student of Park University's Youth Conservatory for Music, was featured in a podcast interview on The Strad website. Ioudenitch, the daughter of Stanislav Ioudenitch, associate professor of music/piano and artistic director of the International Center for Music, shared insights about her career and passion for music.
Meanwhile, the Park University men's volleyball team was highlighted on KSHB-TV in Kansas City. Director of volleyball and head coach Mike Talamantes, along with middle blocker Felipe Chagas, were interviewed for a story that aired on February 19.
In the world of academia, Debra Sheffer, Ph.D., professor of history at Park University, was interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV on February 22. The focus of the story was the Buffalo Soldiers, with a special emphasis on Cathay Williams, the only woman to serve in the U.S. Army as a Buffalo Soldier who was born in Independence, Missouri, in 1844.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science at Park University, was interviewed for a story that aired on KCTV in Kansas City on February 10 about the Kansas redistricting plan heading to court. Harris also discussed Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley endorsing Missouri U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler in her 2022 U.S. Senate bid in a story that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on February 15.
Sports continue to play a significant role at Park University. A story on Jeremiah Diaz, who has committed to play men's soccer at Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus starting in the Fall 2022 semester, appeared in the Marianas Variety on February 17. Cedric Patterson, a graduate of Park University, was named Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services Civilian Fire Officer of the Year. He serves at CNRMA Fire and Emergency Services, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., as the assistant fire chief responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency services delivered across five military installations.
In other news, Nada Meawad, a recent graduate of Park University, has signed to play women's volleyball in Switzerland with Volley Lugano. This news was featured in a story that appeared on the Hebdo Al-Ahram website on February 23.
Park University has also been recognised for its academic excellence. The university ranked on several lists, including No. 1 on OrganizationalPsychologyDegrees.com's "Top 15 Industrial/Organizational Psychology Certificate Programs" list, No. 11 on ScholarshipWorld.uk's list of the best criminal justice schools, No. 26 on OnlineMastersDegrees.org's "Best Online Master's Degrees in Adult Education for 2022" list, and No. 32 on OnlineMastersDegrees.org's "Top Online Master's in Communications for 2022" list.
The university has signed a multiyear agreement with Legacy Sports USA for the use of facilities at Bell Bank Park. Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus athletics teams will call Bell Bank Park their new home. The Buccaneers men's and women's basketball, soccer, volleyball, women's beach volleyball, and softball teams will all benefit from this new arrangement.
Upcoming events at Park University include the International Center for Music Concert: ICM Orchestra on March 4 and 8, the J. Malcolm Good Mathematics Lecture on March 23, the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War's Premiere of "More Than a Medal" Documentary on March 24, and many more.
Registration is open for Park University's annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium, to be held on April 18-19. The symposium promises to be a showcase of innovative ideas and creative works from students across various disciplines.
As the university continues to make strides in various fields, it remains steadfast in its commitment to global citizenship. Park University stands with the Ukrainian people and serves students from Ukraine, Russia, and 57 other countries.
For more information about Park University's stance on the Ukraine conflict and support for the Ukrainian people, please visit the university's official website or contact their communications office directly.
In other news, Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science at Park University, was interviewed for a number of stories related to the conflict in Ukraine during the last week of February. A documentary exploring the work of the Valor Medals Review Project by Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War will debut on March 24.
Adam Farm, esports head coach at Park University, was interviewed for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on February 18 about the surge of area high schools starting esports programs and what opportunities those students have in the future in the industry.
Park University was ranked in the Feb. 3 edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as part of the publication's rankings of the top producers of African American graduates across the country.
Ignacio (Nacho) Flores, a graduate of Park University, is a member of the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League. He appeared in a 28-minute interview for MASLtv on February 3 (interview is in Spanish).
Lydia Burse, a graduate of Park University, is the 6th grade department chair at S.C. Lee Junior High School in Copperas Cove, Texas. She was featured in the Copperas Cove (Texas) Herald on February 18 as part of a question-and-answer series on the importance of Black History Month.
James Simpson, MPA '97, has announced that he will retire as the Liberty chief of police effective July 1. He has spent 37 years with the Liberty Police Department, the last 11 years as its chief. This news was featured in the Liberty (Mo.) Tribune Courier on February 23.
Stephen Linkous, a graduate of Park University, was appointed superintendent of the Nashua School District effective in July. This news was featured in stories in the Nashua, N.H., region on February 22.
Discounted tickets for the concert are available for Park faculty and staff, students, and the general public.
Stanislav Ioudenitch, an associate professor of music/piano and artistic director of the Park University International Center for Music, was highlighted in a "Four Questions" feature in In Kansas City magazine on February 1.
At Park University, education and self-development extend beyond the classroom. In a podcast interview, former student Maria Ioudenitch shared insights about her career and passion for music, showcasing the university's commitment to nurturing talent in the realm of arts. Meanwhile, in sports, the university's men's volleyball team and alumnus Cedric Patterson made general news for their achievements. Furthermore, Park University continues to excel in academia, with professors appearing in various news outlets to discuss topics ranging from Kansas redistricting to the Ukraine conflict.
