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HISTORY OF PARK UNIVERSITYFounded in 1875 in Parkville, Mo., asuburb of Kansas City, Park University hasdeveloped into a comprehensive, independentinstitution that is a national leader in highereducation. In 2000, Park achieved universitystatus and now serves more than 22,000students annually at 40 campus centers in21 states and online, including 35 campusesat military installations across the country.The University is accredited by the HigherLearning Commission, a member of the NorthCentral Association of Colleges and Schools,and dedicates itself toaffordability, innovationand quality.Serving an ethnicallydiverse studentpopulation and nontraditionaladult learnershas, for many years,been central to Park’seducational mission.Even in its first year,the University enrolledwomen students as wellas men, something thatwas unusual at the time;and two of the original17 students were NativeAmericans. Park wasalso an early integratorwhen it welcomedAfrican-Americanstudents to live inPark’s residence hallsin the 1950s. Park haseducated generations ofstudents from diversebackgrounds providing affordable access to aprivate university education.Park University’s flagship Parkville Campusis situated high on a bluff commanding aninspiring view of the Missouri River, whichsweeps in a broad bend around the quietcommunity of Parkville. To the south andsoutheast, the skyline of downtown Kansas City,Mo., is visible. The 700-acre campus is a site ofbreathtaking natural beauty with woodlands,waterfalls and wildflowers.Mission StatementPark University provides accessto a quality higher educationexperience that prepares a diversecommunity of learners to thinkcritically, communicate effectively,demonstrate a global perspective,and engage in lifelong learningand service to others.Vision StatementPark University, a pioneeringinstitution of higher learningsince 1875, will provideleadership in quality, innovativeeducation for a diversity oflearners who will excel in theirprofessional and personal serviceto the global community.Steeped in history, one can almost sense thepresence of former Parkites who assisted inconstructing many of the Parkville Campusbuildings. Mackay Hall, on the NationalRegister of Historic Places, houses administrativeoffices as well as classrooms. Construction beganin 1886 with students quarrying stone fromthe surrounding land and carrying it to the site,building the structure as a means of earningtheir tuition. With its clock tower overlooking7the residence halls, classrooms and other moremodern facilities around it, Mackay is thesymbol of Park University.You can still work to help pay for your ParkUniversity education, and there is still aPark family atmosphere. This is the part of theUniversity we can’t put on a map or show ona tour, yet it is as much a part of Park as thebuildings and the landscape. This is friendliness,helpfulness, caring and concern for one another.It transcends race, religion, gender, cultures andincome bracket. It is known as the Park Spirit.Park University iscommitted to being oneof the finest institutionsin the nation, providingquality education in awholesome environmentfor all students, includingtraditional and nontraditionalfull-timestudents on the historicParkville Campus, andfully employed, full-timeand part-time students oncampus centers across thenation. And Park pridesitself in its long-standingpartnership with theU.S. military, and it isrecognized as one of thelargest providers of onlineundergraduate education tothe armed forces.