CLAS Newsletter- July 2012 - Park University

A Touch of CLAS 

Vol. 5 July 2012 

A message from Dr. Jane Wood, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences 

There has been much talk 

recently about the “value” of 

a liberal arts educa�on. I 

have been asked by the leadership 

at the Council of Colleges 

of Arts & Sciences to 

be part of a project that will 

“predict” the future of liberal 

arts ins�tu�ons by 2022. 

There is concern among 

liberal arts and science faculty 

and administrators na�onwide 

that the general popula�on 

may not have a full 

understanding of the importance 

of the tradi�onal 

liberal arts and sciences 

undergraduate educa�on 

A new Center for Global 

Peace Journalism has 

been approved by the 

Park Board of Trustees, 

and Professor Steve 

Youngblood con�nues 

his peace journalism 

projects. For more, turn 

to page 5. 

I share this concern, but, 

ul�mately, I believe that the 

undergraduate curriculum 

based in a tradi�onal liberal 

arts and sciences milieu will 

not only remain, but will 

prevail. In a recent Chronicle 

of Higher Educa�on ar�cle 

(Sept. 2010), Kevin Carey 

cites that only 64.6% of students 

who start at private 

nonprofit ins�tu�ons graduate 

within six years. While 

this figure is not stellar, the 

rate of the for-profit ins�tu- 

�ons is 15.7% (h�p:// 

chronicle.com/blogs/ 

brainstorm/college-gradrates-stay-exactly-thesame/29394 

. The future of 

higher educa�on has perhaps 

never been in a �me of 

more uncertainty. However, 

this �me of change may be 

the spark that guides us 

toward the essence of what 

truly ma�ers; a philosophy 

Copley Hall has a new 

media lab, serving 

photography, 

journalism, and 

communica�on 

students. To read 

more about the new 

lab, turn to page 10. 

that began thousands of 

years ago. Peter Karabell 

writes that “The modern 

university is the child of the 

medieval monastery and the 

medieval guild, and deep in 

the recesses of the professoriate’s 

iden�ty is the model 

of the monk”(54). The 

evolu�on of the university 

from its monas�c beginnings 

creates a�ributes about 

valuing the “sacred” that 

calls for us as faculty and 

administrators to reflect on 

knowledge not only as “job 

prepara�on” but instead 

fosters a return to thinking 

of knowledge as a life’s journey 

of the soul. In this context, 

by “sacred” I do not 

mean any par�cular religious 

affilia�on, but instead those 

things that we, in the University, 

hold dear. Do we want 

more students to graduate? 

Certainly. But we also want 

Inside this edi�on: pg. 

Meet the Deans 2 

more students to think cri�cally, 

apply scien�fic and 

historical knowledge to current 

societal dilemmas and to 

value crea�ve expression. 

Gradua�on rates are not the 

only predictor of success, 

though I think the success 

rate of the non-profit ins�tu- 

�ons underscores the validity 

of the medieval tradi�on that 

yet guides and steadies us. As 

we run and stumble into the 

future, we might do well to 

remember what William 

Faulkner told us: The past is 

never dead. It's not even 

past”. I may not be able to 

accurately predict the future 

of what colleges of arts and 

sciences will look like in 2022. 

But what I do believe in both 

mind and spirit is that people 

need the arts and sciences; 

while the future will bring us 

yet untold innova�ons, it will 

be those deep and las�ng 

tradi�ons that sustain us. 

Published Works 3 

Special Events 4 

Department Highlights 6 

Student Awards and Honors 12 

Faculty Awards and Honors 14 

Program Administra�on 16

TOUCH OF CLAS Page 2 

Message from Dr. Kenneth Christopher, Associate Dean of Social Sciences 

Have you ever listened 

to the Phish song, 

Chalk Dust Torture? 

“But who can unlearn 

all the facts that I've 

learned; as I sat in 

their chairs and my 

Introducing Dr. Virginia Brackett, Assistant Dean of Arts & Humanities 

Dr. Virginia Brackett, associate 

professor of English, has served 

as assistant director and director 

of Park’s Degree with Honors 

Program since she came to 

Park in 2006, and has chaired 

the Park University Department 

of English and Modern Languages 

since the combining of 

the two departments in 2009. 

She has been involved in various 

initiatives at Park, including 

development of the general 

education program, and she co- 

chairs the HLC Criterion Two 

Work Group. In recognition of 

her advocacy of service learning 

through Honors Program course 

work, Brackett received the Missouri 

Campus Compact Community 

Engagement Professional of 

the Year Award, 2011. Her 13 

books have received various citations. 

Her most recent book pub- 

lication is Critical Companion to 

Mary Shelley (Infobase publishing, 

2012). She has published 

more than 125 articles and 

stories for adults and young 

adult readers, for both popular 

and academic audiences. She 

chaired a Task Force in fall 

2011 to investigate the possibility 

of development of an 

Honors College, and will use 

the Task Force’s model to 

transition the Honors Program 

into an Honors Academy beginning 

in fall 2013. 

Dr. Brackett will begin Assistant 

Dean duties Aug 1,2012. 

Introducing Mr. Scott Hageman, Assistant Dean of Natural & Applied Sciences 

Scott A. Hageman is an Associate 

Professor of Geology and Geography 

at Park University. He is a native of 

Maryville, MO and grew up in higher 

education at Northwest Missouri 

State University where his father 

taught in the Art Department for over 

30 years and was Department Chair 

for nearly 20 years. He started college 

while still in high school taking 

college release courses at NWMSU 

and his first college course was Geology. 

He transferred to the University 

of Kansas where he completed his 

B.S. in Geology and then continued 

his graduate studies in Geology at 

the University of Kansas and University 

of Tennessee. He accepted a 

synapses burned; and the torture 

of chalk dust collects on 

my tongue. . . .” While the 

lyrics are intriguing, the melodies 

take the listener on a 

soaring journey with changing 

patterns and chord progressions. 

It is a liberating piece of 

music. As I work with CLAS 

students, I find the business of 

education liberating. There are 

many different melodies, with 

students from all over the map 

and different walks of life. Like 

the music from Phish, the experience 

of guiding students 

goes in many different direct- 

full time teaching position in 1998 

with Park University as a natural science 

assistant professor that has now 

evolved into a Geography Degree 

Program with over 50 majors. 

Scott Hageman has received various 

awards for his teaching, scholarship, 

and service including: 

ions. As much as I want to 

provide students with a clear 

cut and simple path to their 

success, the truth is each student’s 

journey is different. 

More and more, my experience 

is that each student needs and 

deserves our best individual 

educational guidance to illuminate 

the way for them. As 

much as I would like to offer a 

simple “off the shelf” solution 

for every student, I find that 

the best solutions are those 

that are crafted with the individual 

student’s goals, objectives, 

resources, and level of 

motivation in mind. When 

students make a positive, 

personal connection with their 

University, their experience 

will be much richer. In a year 

where Park University has 

engaged in a new strategic 

plan, it seems logical and 

appropriate to engage our 

students closely in developing 

their own strategic plan. 

Hopefully, our efforts will minimize 

any “torture of chalk 

dust” for our students. 

Best, 

Kenneth Christopher 

J.L. Zwingle Award, Park University 

Governor’s Award for Excellence in 

Teaching, Missouri Department of 

Higher Education, Distinguished Faculty 

Scholar Award, Park University 

Excellence in Teaching Award, National 

Society of Leadership and Success, 

Excellence in Teaching Award, 

Park University Excellence in Academic 

Advising Award, Park University 

Excellence in Post Secondary Education 

Award, Northland Regional 

Chamber of Commerce . 

Mr. Hageman will begin Assistant 

Dean duties Aug 1, 2012.


Published Works and Presenta�ons 

Publica�ons: 

-Dr. Virginia Bracke� published the book Cri�cal Companion to Mary Shelley (Info Base Publishing/Facts on File). 

‐Dr. Lolly Ockerstrom published an essay for the Literary Encyclopedia en�tled “England’s Hour, by Vera Bri�ain.” The Literary 

Encyclopedia, published online in Great Britain, is a resource for students wri�en by academics. 

‐Brian Shawver published the short story “Defense” in Beecher’s magazine, May 2012. 

‐Dr. Dennis Okerstrom published the book The Final Mission of Bo�oms Up: A World War II Pilot's Story 

(University of Missouri Press). Denny made several local personal appearances to discuss the book with his 

collaborator, Mr. Lee Lamar. 

Presenta�ons: 

-Dr. Virginia Bracke� made several presenta�ons this year, one being "Flush and the Hero's Journey: Woolf, the Monomyth and 

Literary Archetypes" at the Interna�onal Virginia Woolf Conference June 6-10 in Saskatchewan. 

-Dr. Silvia Byer presented “The mys�cism of Caterina Paluzzi: her autobiography and spiritual journey” at the November South 

Atlan�c Modern Language Associa�on conference in Atlanta, GA, November 3-6, 2011 . Silvia also chaired a panel on Medieval and 

Renaissance Italian Literature at the same conference. 

‐Joe Cunningham presented “Telecollabora�on for Professional Purposes: Towards Developing a Formal Register in the Foreign 

Language Classroom” was presented at the 2012 na�onal symposium of the Computer Assisted Language Instruc�on Consor�um 

in June at the University of Notre Dame. He also presented “Topic Nego�a�on in Professional Computer‐Mediated Discourse” at 

the Second Language Research Forum at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, October 14-16, 2011. 

‐Dr. Emily Donnelli co-presented "Integra�ng Service Learning into a University Honors Program: Three Types of Bridges," with 

Dr. Virginia Bracke�, at the Campus Compact Heartland Conference in Overland Park, Kansas, which took place September 22-23, 

2011. Dr. Donnelli also presented “Loca�ng Faculty Development for Community Engagement: A Study of Ins�tu�onal 

Factors,” at the Interna�onal Associa�on for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement conference, November 2-4 

in Chicago, sponsored by Illinois Campus Compact, DePaul University, Na�onal-Louis University, Loyola University Chicago, 

Columbia College Chicago, and Northern Illinois University. As part of acceptance to this conference, a summary of her research 

will be published in the refereed conference proceedings. 

-Dr. Lolly Ockerstrom presented “Photography, History, and Memoir of the Spanish Civil War: Interdisciplinary Views by Virginia 

Woolf, Gerald Brenan, and Gamel Woolsey,” at the Interna�onal Virginia Woolf Conference June 6-10 in Saskatchewan. 

-Dr. Deborah Osborne presented the following three papers: “Figh�ng the Good Fight: Academic Credit for ESOL Classes” at the 

TESOL Interna�onal Conven�on and English Language Expo, Mar. 28 – 31, 2012, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “Linguis�c, 

Sociological and Psychological Challenges Faced by ELLS” at Park University’s Spring 2012 Literacy Conference on April 14, 2012; 

and “Academic Credit for ESL Classes: It’s Time” at the NAFSA Region IV Conference, Nov. 12 – 15, 2011 in Cedar Rapids, IA. 

- Dr. Judith Richards presented “Who’s Telling This Story? Playing with Narra�on.” and a special panel she organized on “La�no 

Literatures,” were presented at the Midwest Modern Language Associa�on Conference in St. Louis in November, 2011. 

- Mr. Brian Shawver “The Litera�: Deconstruc�ng Publishing Myths” was presented with Danielle Evans and Jacinda Townsend at 

the Associa�on of Writers and Wri�ng Programs Conference, March 2, 2012 in Chicago. 

-Dr. Dees Stallings presented “Iden�fying and Solving Communica�on Problems in virtual Academic Workgroups” in 

collabora�on with Cathy Taylor, Ju�a Pegues, and Hank Roerich, was presented as an online general session at the 17th TCC 

Worldwide Online Conference, April 17-19th. He also presented “It’s the Law: Mee�ng the Standards of the 2010 Plain Language 

Act” at Global Advances in Business Communica�on (GABC), 4th Annual Tricon�nental Conference June 6, 2012 at Ypsilan�, MI. 

- Dr. David Fox presented “A Bridge Too Far: and Other Myths Concerning the Historical Geography of St. Joseph, Missouri” 

during the Associa�on of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Mee�ng in February 2012.


Special Events 

Civil War Encampment and Art Exhibit 

In October of 2011, Park University’s main campus played host to a Civil War encampment and reenactment on the lawn near the 

chapel. Following the encampment, an art exhibit was set up in the Campanella Gallery on the campus, and remained open un�l 

November. These are just a few of the pictures taken during this �me. All pictures are courtesy of Dr. Timothy Westco�. 

Above: Two men in tradi�onal Civil War era clothes chat on the lawn by the 

Chapel. 

Below: Ba�le reenactment taking place. 

Above: A woman in Civil War era costume at the encampment . 

Below: The exhibit in the Campanella Gallery


Special Events 

Center for Global Peace Journalism Opens 

Approval was given early in the 

Spring 2012 semester for a 

new Center for Global Peace 

Journalism, headed by 

Professor Steve Youngblood. 

This center is planned to be a 

resource for a wide range of 

people, from Park University 

students and faculty to high 

school journalists and 

professional journalists around 

the world and other 

organiza�ons with the same 

thoughts and ideals. Resources 

made available by the Center 

include tradi�onal courses for 

Park students, online courses 

for non-Park students, and 

study abroad possibili�es. Park 

faculty and other non- Park 

students have the 

opportuni�es for further 

research, ar�cle publica�on, 

and interna�onal collabora�on 

on research, projects, and 

other ini�a�ves. 

Currently, Youngblood has 

several projects involving the 

Center for Global Peace 

Journalism. In December, 2011, 

Youngblood went to Uganda to 

help start a peace media and 

counter-terrorism project, 

combining media and Ugandan 

security groups on what 

Youngblood describes as an�terrorism 

efforts. This was 

done with a grant from the U.S. 

State Department. Another 

project is the ongoing training 

The cover of the first edi�on of The Peace Journalist magazine printed for the Center for 

Global Peace Journalism. A PDF version is available on the Center’s web page at h�p:// 

www.park.edu/peacecenter. Photo courtesy of Steve Youngblood.) 

Steve Youngblood listens to a par�cipant at the Peace Media and Counter- 

Terrorism seminar in Gulu, Uganda in December, 2011. 

(photo courtesy of Steve Youngblood) 

of journalists in Uganda in how 

to prevent media-induced 

violence at all �mes, but 

especially during elec�on 

years. 

The Center is also planning the 

release of a peace journalism 

magazine, appropriately called 

“The Peace Journalist.” The 

magazine will be published 

semi-annually, and feature 

ar�cles wri�en by Youngblood, 

his colleagues worldwide, and 

even papers wri�en by the 

students in his Peace 

Journalism courses. 

Youngblood writes about the 

magazine on the Center’s 

webpage, saying, “ As part of 

the ac�vi�es of the new Center 

for Global Peace Journalism at 

Park University, we are ge�ng 

ready to publish the first 

edi�on of The Peace Journalist, 

a semi-annual publica�on 

highligh�ng peace and conflict 

sensi�ve journalism. In each 

issue, we will feature a sec�on 

on current ac�vi�es worldwide 

in peace and conflict sensi�ve 

journalism. This is very wide 

ranging, anything from 

seminars to publica�ons to 

lectures to projects to 

classroom/educa�onal 

programs--really anything at all 

as long as it’s relevant.” The 

first edi�on features ar�cles 

from all over the world— 

Uganda, Afghanistan, and 

India, among others—and also 

featured the wri�ng of Julie 

Dolezilek, one of the students 

in Youngblood’s peace 

journalism course at Park 

University. 

Youngblood has already 

started to receive new material 

for the second edi�on of The 

Peace Journalist, planned for 

October 2012. 

This center is also an aid to the 

newest of several peace 

journalism projects 

Youngblood has led around the 

world and in his Peace 

Journalism classes at Park. The 

Center’s webpage features 

links to the various informa�on 

packets, projects, and the pilot 

online Peace Journalism course 

for those who are not part of 

Park University’s student body.


Department Highlights 

Ellen Finlay Earhart Nursing Program 

Nursing students par�cipated in 960 hours of service learning, 

planning and taking part in many ac�vi�es. They organized and 

implemented a community health fair for the Park University and 

Parkville communi�es. Our nursing students also organized health 

screenings for children in schools that have no nurse. They 

par�cipated in pediatric school health screening with Score 1 for 

Health, a non-profit organiza�on offering free health screening for 

elementary age students in the heart of urban Kansas City. Student 

Nurses Associa�on was presented with Park University’s Club At Large 

award. 

The Nursing Department has moved! The classrooms are now 

located on the first floor of Hawley Hall. The nursing offices are on the 

2nd floor. 

English 

Students from the interna�onal English honor society, Alpha Eta 

Epsilon a�ended the annual Sigma Tau Delta conven�on in New Orleans, 

LA in the Spring of 2012. 

The conven�on is an opportunity for it’s members from around the 

globe to gather in one locale. They meet face to face with other students, 

faculty, and respected authors to discuss the disciplines of the 

English language and literature. 

Criminal Jus�ce 

Criminal Jus�ce faculty members are proposing to develop a new major in Homeland 

Security. It is believed such a program will be of substan�al interest to our military 

and other students interested in careers in this s�ll expanding subfield of Criminal 

Jus�ce. 

Student accomplishments this past year included the awarding of Departmental 

Honors to gradua�on Senior, Lauren Montgomery and to Junior, Cordell Eby. 

Several student-members of Tau Lambda Alpha Epsilon a�ended the Lambda 

Alpha Epsilon regional conference held October, 2011 in Springfield, Missouri. The 

students earned several compe��ve awards, including 1st place Upper Division– Correc�ons 

and 3rd place Upper Division– Juvenile Jus�ce. 

Nursing Student Terri Rose takes 

a students blood pressure. 

Hawley Hall 

English students a�ended Alpha Eta Epsilon trip to New 

Orleans, LA . 

Seniors Melissa Trimble, Kerissa Godsey, and 

Lauren Montgomery holding award received at 

the Lambda Alpha Epsilon regional conference.



Interior Design 

Students in Jason Ayers' Furniture Design Class have been making prototype 

chairs out of cardboard for years. With help, the project has evolved from 

building chairs by hand using Exacto knives, to construc�ng chairs using 

sophis�cated digital technology. Marvin Lynch from Arrowhead Container 

became interested in the project, and now students dra� chair components 

using AutoCAD, take the drawings by flash drive to Arrowhead, and with 

assistance, cut out their chairs. Other helpers are Dimensional Innova�ons, who 

each year helps pick a chair to build from other materials. This year's chair of the 

year is by Julie Knapp, and is now made from plywood and aluminum with a 

mesh seat. Knoll Studio helps organize a First Friday Chair exhibit in Kansas City's 

Crossroad's Art District. Employees working include Park Interior Design graduate 

San�na King Cessor and Barb Corley. Students who exhibited chairs included Andrea 

Breer, Ashley Comfort, Alexandria Hahn, Leslie Goldhahn, Julie Knapp, James Smolen, 

Melissa Slinkard, and Stephanie Weddle. 

Athle�c Training 

Athle�c Training student Jessica Gonzalez will be joining the U.S. 

Olympics organiza�on this summer. As part of an internship, Jessica 

will be providing massage therapy to athletes compe�ng in the U.S. 

Olympic Team Track and Field trials. This is largest na�onal 

championship track meet in the world and will determine the athletes 

represen�ng Team USA at the 2012 London Olympic Games. 

Liberal Studies 

The Department of Liberal Studies is the newest department in the College, 

having separated from History and Poli�cal Science. We consist of Philosophy, 

Religion, Liberal Studies, and Peace Studies. We have a new Philosophy minor and 

the Liberal Studies major has been re-wri�en for a greater emphasis on the Liberal 

Arts. Religion and Peace Studies minors are planned for the future. 

We’re working on re-vamping LE100, the first year experience course, for Fall 

of 2013. The emphasis will be on the history and future of the university. 

Some of our best students are in the Philosophy Club which this year hosted a 

dance, frequent discussions, and a debate about the existence of God. 

Julie Knapp’s cardboard chair and its more durable 

counterpart (Photo courtesy of Kay Boehr) 

Jessica Gonzalez pictured massaging 

fellow Park student. 

Liberal Studies student Mintao (Nathan) Huang, from 

Hong Kong, is defending the existence of God a�er 

the debate. (Photo courtesy of Adam Po�hast)



Honors Program 

Students from Park University’s honors program a�ended the annual Great 

Plains Honors Council Conference. The conference brings together students from 

Honors Programs in the Midwest region to share their research through paper 

and poster presenta�ons. In spring 2012, it was held at the Doubletree Hotel in 

Overland Park and was jointly sponsored by Johnson County Community College 

and Park University. Virginia Bracke�, director of Park's Honors Program, and 

Silvia Byer, assistant director of Park's Honors Program helped to plan and to 

host the conference. 

Senior Miki Katuwal had the honor of winning the Boe Research Award. The 

Dennis Boe award is to showcase and reward outstanding scholarly work by the 

honors program/college students of its members ins�tu�ons. 

Modern Languages 

Park's Department of Modern Languages faculty members, Dr. Silvia Byer 

(Program Coordinator) and Nancy Hake (Adjunct professor of Spanish) hosted 

the Modern Language Fair (MLF) on February 16th, 2012 at the Parkville campus. 

The Fair's goal is to increase awareness of Park's Modern Language Programs 

among high school students. 

Students who a�ended the fair par�cipated in many language ac�vi�es 

such as: Poem recital, Spanish Jeopardy, Salsa dancing ,Spanish song and 

board game workshop. Students were awarded a cer�ficate of a�endance. 

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are awarded for the Poem Recital compe��on. This is 

the second year the MLF has taken place and more than 50 students from the 

high school level and Park University a�ended this year. 

Pictured le� to right: Honor students Breonna 

Thomas, Miki Katuwal, (host) Bryan Busby –KMBC 

Chief Meteorologist and Dr. Silvia Byer. 

Pictured le� to right: Nancy Hake, Dr. Silvia Byer 

(Park University) Marta Silva, Tina Phillips (Bishop 

Ward High School). 

Dr. Silvia Byer (Program Coordinator) presents student with cer�ficate.



Computer Science 

Our Associa�on for Compu�ng Machinery (ACM) Club hosted an inhouse 

programming contest on Saturday, April 14, with awards coming 

from sponsors from local IT company Wa�master, who employs ICS interns. 

ACM President Cong (Anna) Luo and VP Niren Shakya are in charge 

of the Club. The programming contest results are: 

Team 1: Anna, 5 problems solved (2nd prize). 

Team 2: Long & Brandon , 5 problems solved (1st prize). 

Team 3: Josh & Jay, 2 problems solved (3rd prize). 

Team 4: Aiba & Jessica, 2 problems solved (4th prize). 

Special thanks to judge Niren Shakya, the contest volunteer Steve, and 

sponsor Wa�Master. 

Natural and Applied Sciences 

Parkville junior meteorology major Rachel Dryden has won two pres�gious 

interna�onally compe��ve fellowships for the 2012-2013 academic year. 

The first, the Killam Fellowship, is an award by the Canadian Fulbright 

Commission to study abroad in Canada. 

The second, the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)/ 

German Academic Exchange Service Undergraduate Scholarship, is an award 

to study abroad in Germany for a semester. 

Rachel will study in Canada at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in 

the fall of 2012, and in Berlin, Germany at the Freie Universität’s Ins�tute of 

Meteorology in the spring of 2013. 

Culture and Society 

Group picture of the programming contest par�cipants. 

(Photo courtesy of John Dean) 

Rachel Dryden, Junior 

Meteorology major 

Park University History majors held a signing ceremony at 

the Na�onal Archives—Kansas City loca�on on April 13, 2012, 

establishing the “Civil War Endowment Fund” at the State 

Historical Society of Missouri located in Columbia. 

The aspira�on to establish the Civil War Endowment 

Fund occurred by happenstance during a research visit to the State Archives (Photo courtesy of Dr. Timothy Westco�) 

in the summer of 2011 by a former history major and Dr. Timothy Westco�, associate professor of history. While researching in 

prepara�on for a student-faculty exhibit on Pla�e County’s Civil War, they viewed ar�facts in which preserva�on procedures 

were wan�ng. 

The purpose of the Civil War Endowment is to preserve, conserve, maintain, digi�ze, and purchase papers, manuscripts 

and other archival (non-three-dimensional) material related to the Civil War in Missouri, including documents from the period 

leading up to and following the War.


Alumni in the Spotlight 

World War I Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient 

Park University honored 

alumnus 1st Lt. George S. 

Robb, a recipient of the 

Congressional Medal of Honor 

for ac�on during World War I, 

at a dedica�on ceremony on 

Thursday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. 

outside the entrance of 

Thompson Commons on the 

University's Parkville Campus. 

The ceremony included the 

dedica�on of a plaque and 

raising of the Congressional 

Medal of Honor recipient flag 

Prior to the start of the Fall 

2011 semester, the old 

photography and computer lab 

on Copley Hall, Room 2 was 

updated. 

The room now holds 18 new 

Dell computers for student use 

if they are in a journalism, 

photography, or other 

communica�on course. The 

room s�ll connects to the dark 

room, and makes learning 

digital photography easier 

since every computer makes 

both Adobe Lightroom and 

Adobe Photoshop available to 

those students. 

Two semesters of courses have 

already been taught in the lab, 

including a new course �tled 

Digital Media Skills. Students in 

the course learned how to use 

in honor of Robb, a 1912 

graduate of Park. 

Robb was born on May 18, 

1887, in Assaria, Kan., and later 

joined the U.S. Army in Salina, 

Kan. Robb was part of the 

famous 369th Infantry 

Regiment, an African-American 

unit from Harlem, N.Y., known 

as the "Harlem Hellfighters." 

While leading a platoon in 

France in 1918, Robb was 

wounded. When his 

several programs from the 

Adobe CS5 suite, all of which 

gave them a larger set of skills 

to make them more appealing 

to future employers. 

Students learned how to 

properly create a newsle�er 

with InDesign. They took 

videos, edi�ng them with 

Adobe PremierePro. Students 

also learned how to edit audio 

clips, even crea�ng one about 

this new room in Copley Hall. 

Professors who teach in the 

room use the two big screen 

televisions on opposite sides of 

the room to show their 

students real-life examples of 

what they are teaching. The 

TVs are linked to the 

instructor’s computer at the 

front of the room, and display 

commanding officer was killed, 

Robb assumed command and 

led the platoon to exceed its 

original target, earning him the 

Congressional Medal of Honor 

in 1919. He died on May 14, 

1972, at the age of 84, and is 

buried in Salina. 

His medal is on display in the 

Kansas Museum of History in 

Topeka. A Park program, 

the George S. Robb Centre for 

the Study of the Great War, 

bears his name. 

New Addi�on: Media Lab in Copley 

anything shown on the 

computer’s screen, promo�ng 

discussion about the images 

and aiding students who prefer 

visual examples rather than 

explana�ons. 

When the room is not in use, it 

is open to communica�ons, 

journalism, and photography 

students 24 hours a day, with a 

work-study student assistant in 

Copley Hall Media Lab 

1st Lt. George S. Robb 

the room part of the �me. The 

open hours allows those who 

do not have the Adobe CS5 

Suite to use the various 

programs to complete their 

school work.


Seventh Annual Symposium 

Held from April 9th through 12th, the Seventh Annual Student Research and Crea�ve Arts Symposium featured many 

projects created and developed by Park students, from art to architecture, content analyses and full research papers. 

These were some of the exhibits displayed in the Mabee Learning Center on Monday, April 9th. 

All photos used, and more, can be found on the Park University Facebook page.


Student Awards and Honors 

School for Arts & Humani�es 

English 

Mary Barlow Wri�ng Award for Outstanding Student Wri�ng~ Sonya White 

Nicholas Manchion Endowed English Scholarship Award ~ Janek Sunga 

William B. Markward Award in Early Modern, Language, Literature and Culture ~ Angelica Hodgdon 

Sigma Tau Delta~ Kris�n Carney, Rachel Correll, Sarah Foster, Brady Hanssen, Stephanie Healy, 

Jasey Huber, Ma�hew Mitchell, Paul Pursell, Caleb Roye, Sco� Warken�en, Sonya White 

Department Honors 

English ~ Sco� Warken�en & Cody Croan 

Fine Art ~ Elisha Bailey & Valerie Jahraus 

Graphic Design ~ Lindsey McDonald & Eric Liles 

Interior Design ~ Eva Rasmussen & Julie Knapp 

Liberal Studies ~ Amanda O�s 

Modern Language ~ Rachael King & Dylan Taggart 

Organiza�onal Communica�on ~ Wendy McCormick 

Public Rela�ons ~ Ka�e Mar�no 

School for Natural and Applied Sciences 

Burton W. Scheib Pre‐Medical Prize ~Tomi Lazarov 

The CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award ~ Willie Washington 

The Dr. William C. Pivonka Award ~ Frances Venable 

The American Ins�tute of Chemists ~ Chalet Williams 

The Harold G. McDaniel Award ~ Janel Manns & Kristy Biermann 

The J. Malcolm Good Award ~ Abed Awuah-Gyawu 

Professor L.A. Robbins Memorial Award ~ Kris�n Beck 

Outstanding ACM Service Award ~ Anna Luo 


Athle�c Training ~ Megan Shepherd 

Biology ~ Miki Katuwal 

Chemistry ~ Ryan Fawks 

Informa�on & Computer Science ~ Nirendra Shakya 

Geography ~ Lucas Youngblood 

Mathema�cs ~ Reisha Fregoe 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Honors


Student Honors and Awards 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Honors (continued) 

School for Social Sciences 

Phi Alpha Honor Society ~ Cynthia Blair, Tara Bledsoe, Amy Jo Clark, Dawn Cook, Rachel Edmonds, Sandra Flores, Rhonda 

Fue, Theresa Meloy, Andrea Mitchell, Patricia Nimmo, Melissa Whitmore 

Psi Chi ~ Hannah Alpers, Rebekah Purvis, Taylor Whipple, Bri�any Wolf 


Criminal Jus�ce ~ Cordell Eby & Lauren Montgomery 

History ~ Amber Ables 

Legal Studies ~ Melanie Brewer & Kyle Hamilton 

Poli�cal Science ~ David Abeyta & Amber Jarre� 

Psychology ~ Rebekah Purvis & Emma Hart 

Social Work ~ Melanie Jones & Cynthia Blair 

Sociology ~ Jeremy Brimer 

Social Psychology ~ Angela Phillips 

Outstanding Parkite Award 

Emma Hart & Tomi Lazarov 

The Outstanding Parkite 

Award is given to one senior 

female and one senior male 

student on the University's 

Parkville Campus who best 

exemplify the ideals of the 

University in their character, 

conduct, scholarship and student 

ac�vity par�cipa�on. The 

awards are endowed by Dr. 

Elliot F. Parker in memory of 

his parents, Albert George and 

Jessie Bewley Parker. 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Awards 

Toni Griggs Award 

Faith Stemmler 

This award is given to honor 

a student who has made an 

outstanding contribu�on to 

Park University through 

leadership, service or work 

performance. Griggs was a 

Park employee who was an 

integral part of the University 

for three decades. She 

was a dear friend throughout 

the years to many Park 

students, faculty and staff. 

Emerging Student Leader 

of the Year Award 

Ashley Harbin & 

Theodore McCord 

Awarded to the freshman 

or transfer student who 

has involved him/herself in 

student life to the fullest 

and has sought out and 

accepted leadership responsibili�es 

in an effort to 

improve the co-curricular 

life of all students. 

Newman Civic Fellows 

Award 

Taylor Whipple 

As a member of the Degree 

with Honors Program , 

Whipple discovered a passion 

for working with physically 

and emo�onally disable 

children during her 

freshman year as part of a 

service learning course 

requirement. The award 

recognizes inspiring college 

student leaders who have 

worked to find solu�ons for 

challenges facing their 

communi�es.


Faculty & Staff Awards 

The Dusing‐Proudfoot Award 

Cathy Boisen 

The Dusing-Proudfoot Award is given 

to honor an outstanding contribu�on 

by a Park University faculty or 

staff member. It is named in honor 

of two former Park University professor, 

Albert Dusing, professor 

emeritus, and Merrill Proudfoot. 

These two outstanding faculty members 

worked at Park for more than 

20 years each and are respected for 

their academic and teaching 

be�erment of students. 

Excellence in Academic Advising 

Award 

James Pasley 

This award is given to recognize faculty 

who have achieved excellence in 

providing Park University students 

academic advising and mentoring. 

The award also recognizes outstanding 

contribu�ons in helping students 

define and achieve their academic 

Dis�nguished Faculty Scholar Award 

Andrew Johnson 

This award was established by Manuchair 

Ebadi, ‘60, Ph.D., in 1998 to honor Delta W. 

Gier, Ph.D., for former chair of the Department 

of Chemistry who served Park from 

1948 to 1990. The award pays tribute to a 

faculty member who shows evidence of commitment 

to high standards of excellence in the 

area of scholarship: teaching discovery , integra�on 

and/or service. The recipient also 

shows effec�ve and innova�ve connec�ons 

between teaching and research, especially by 

undergraduate student involvement and par- 

�cipa�on. The award recipient receives a 

plaque and monetary gi�. In addi�on, an inscribed 

name plate will be placed on the Dis- 

�nguished Faculty Scholar Award wall plaque, 

located in Mackay Hall, as permanent recogni- 

�on of the faculty member and the honor. 

Park Family Award 

Don Williams 

This award recognizes a Park staff or faculty 

member who embodies the University’s 

“family-like” culture in his/her interac�on with 

students and fellow staff/faculty. 

J.L. Zwqingle Award 

Gary Bachman 

This award is given to an outstanding 

faculty member for the 

current academic year. Students 

of Park University are proud to 

pay tribute to an outstanding 

faculty member as voted by the 

student body. 

Provost Award for Teaching 

Excellence 

Nancy Hake 

This awards is given to recognize 

full-�me, face-to-face adjunct 

and online adjunct faculty members 

who exemplify excellence in 

teaching, as nominated by peers, 

students and staff.


Faculty Honors and Grants 

Faculty Honors 

- Mr. Greg Plumb received an appointment 

as Program Evaluator for the new Clay 

County Missouri DWI Court. 

- Dr. John Hamilton received an appointment 

to the Advisory Board for the Office of 

Community Complaints, KC, MO Police 

Department. 

- Dr. Kenneth Christopher received tenure 

and promo�on to Associate Professor of 

Criminal Jus�ce and also earned the Cer�fied 

Protec�on Professional designa�on 

from American Society for Industrial 

Security (ASIS)- Interna�onal. 

Vision Statement 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty Honors and Grants 

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES 

Faculty Grants 

- Dr. Virginia Bracke� directed a Missouri Arts council grant which 

supported the fi�h year of Park University Ethnic Voices Poetry Series. 

- Dr. Emily Donnelli directed a Missouri Campus Compact grant �tled 

“ ‘Going Public’ with your Teaching and Research: A Faculty Learning 

Community at Park University”. 

The College will be a leader in providing quality, innovative, 

programs for academic preparation and intellectual growth, through 

multiple means, in a way that meets the needs of people living in an 

interdependent world. 

Mission Statement 

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences of Park University will prepare graduates 

who are articulate, literate, reflective, lifelong learners and active global citizens. 

Park University– College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 

Campus Box 58 

8700 NW River Park Dr Parkville, MO 64152 

Phone: 816-584-6480 

Dr. John Hamilton 

Dr. Emily Donnelli 

Important Dates ~ Fall 2012 

August 9 & 10 

New Faculty Orienta�on 

August 13 

Fall registra�on/confirma�on 

August 13 & 14 (Mon‐Tue) 

Fall Faculty Conference 

August 20 

Fall Semester & Fall I begin 

August 24 

Opening Fall Convoca�on 

We’re on the Web! 

www.park.edu/clas


Program Administra�on 

CLAS Program Coordinators 

Anthropology Jutta Pegues 

Art Donna Bachmann 

Athletic Training Anthony Erisman 

Biology Carol Sanders 

Chemistry Gregory Claycomb 

Communication Arts Lora Cohn 

Computer Science Erlan Burk 

Criminal Justice Michael Eskey 

English (EN105 and EN106) Lolly Ockerstrom 

English (EN 306) Dees Stallings 

English (Literature courses) Brian Shawver 

English as an International Language Deborah Osborne 

Geography David Fox 

Geology David Fox 

Graphic Design Jeffrey Smith 

History Debra Sheffer 

Honors Virginia Bracket 

International Center for Music Ben Sayevich 

Interior Design Kay Boehr 

Latin American Studies Timothy Westcott 

Legal Studies James Pasley 

Liberal Studies Adam Potthast 

Mathematics Aldo Maldonado 

Military Science Timothy Westcott 

Modern Languages Silvia Byer 

Natural Science Carol Sanders 

Nursing Gerry Walker 

Peace Studies Diane Keyser 

Philosophy Adam Potthast 

Physics Gregory Claycomb 

Political Science James Pasley 

Psychology Patricia Marsh 

Public Administration James Pasley 

Religion Steven Boster 

ROTC Timothy Westcott 

Social Work Walter Kisthardt 

Social Science Timothy Westcott 

Sociology John Noren 

Theatre Andrea Southard 

CLAS CONNECTORS COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

Cathy Breidenthal Michael Grimaldi: Chair James Nunnelly 

Ret. YWCA Trozzolo Communications Group Ret. COMBAT 

Olivia Dorsey: Chair David Johnson CiCi Rojas 

KMBC-TV David Johnson Attorney Truman Medical Center 

Courtney Goddard Nick Kenney Jeannie Thomas 

Park University KC Royals Crossroads Hospice 

Jane Wood– Park University 

College Administra�on 

Jane Wood, Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences 

Kenneth Christopher, Associate Dean, School of 

Social Sciences 

Chair - Criminal Justice 

Virginia Brackett, Assistant Dean, School of Arts & 

Humanities 

Scott Hageman, Assistant Dean, School of Natural & 

Applied Sciences 

Tom Bertoncino 

Chair - Athletic Training 

Emily Donnelli 

Chair– English & Modern Languages 

Dincer Guler 

Chair - Computer Science, Information 

Systems and Mathematics 

Donna Howell 

Chair - Natural and Applied Sciences 

Walter Kisthardt 

Chair - Social Work 

Teresa Mason 

Chair - Psychology and Sociology 

Mark Noe 

Chair - Arts and Communication 

James Pasley 

Chair - Culture and Society 

Adam Potthast 

Chair - Liberal Studies 

Gerry Walker 

Chair - Nursing 

CLAS Administra�ve Assistants 

Arts & Humanities: 

Cathy Boisen: (816) 584-6232 

Athletic Training: 

Michelle Forrest: (816) 584-6440 

Criminal Justice/Culture & Society: 

Denise Orf: (816) 584-6518 

Natural & Physical Sciences/Computer Science 

Information Systems & Mathematics: 

Donna Wadley: (816) 584-6476 

Nursing: 

Carol Duncan: (816) 584-6257 

Psychology & Sociology/Social Work: 

Renee Dahlquist: (816) 584-6503 

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: 

Katie Werth (816) 584-6480

CLAS Newsletter- July 2012 - Park University

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