The Crow's Nest Daily Update - August 3rd, 2020
August kicks off with the commencement of the Fall I Term at Park University's various campuses. Highlights from the month include:
- August 11-12: The Fall Faculty Conference takes place virtually.
- August 17: The Fall I Semester begins.
- August 21: The Opening Convocation is held virtually.
Notable events in September include:
- September 10: The Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture features Dr. Norma Riccucci, held virtually.
- September 17: Homecoming and Family Weekend takes place on the Parkville Campus. The International Center for Music Gala is scheduled, with details to be announced.
- September 17-19: The International Center for Music Concert: Stanislav and Friends Virtual Broadcast is set to take place.
- September 18: The Camp Pendleton (Calif.) Campus Commencement takes place at noon, and the Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington (Tenn.) Campus Commencement is held.
In July, Park University made headlines with several achievements:
- July 31: Hill Air Force Base (Utah) Campus Commencement takes place.
- EdSmart.org ranked Park University No. 28 on its "Best Online Computer Science Degree Programs" list.
- Park University's First Family was featured in a cover story in the July issue of Northland Neighbors magazine.
- Stories about Park University's response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announcement regarding international students aired on Kansas City area media outlets on July 8-9.
- A feature story on Mario Segura, who signed to be a student-athlete at Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus as a member of the baseball team, appeared in the San Tan Valley (Ariz.) Sentinel on July 14.
- A feature story on Kailei Edwards, who signed to be a student-athlete at Park University's Gilbert Campus as a member of the women's basketball team, appeared in her hometown newspaper, The Independent, in Moriarty, N.M., on July 29.
- Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was featured in the Platte County (Mo.) Citizen on July 8. The article focused on the CGPJ's scope of work.
- A story about Jefferson Roblee, '95, being appointed the women's soccer assistant coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College appeared on the Wyandotte (County, Kan.) Daily website on July 24.
- Pamela Stewart, '88, M.D., was featured in a story that appeared in the Garden City (Kan.) Telegram on July 7. Stewart recently opened Buffalo Plains Health Center in the town.
- Mohamed Abualhaija, D.B.A., associate professor of accounting, provided comments for a story on "Credit Card Consolidation Loan Offers" that appeared on WalletHub.com on July 7.
Looking ahead, the 2020 Park University Golf Scramble is scheduled for Monday, October 12, at The National Golf Club of Kansas City. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with fees set at $225 per golfer or $900 per four-person team. The event benefits Parkville Campus athletics programs.
In personnel news, Lisa Hickok was appointed as the executive director of Park University's International Center for Music. Hickok began her role on July 13. Previously, she had worked as a consultant with the International Center for Music since January 2017.
Unfortunately, there are no specific updates or mentions in the search results regarding Park University's social justice initiatives or related appointments as of July 2025. For detailed or current information about Park University specifically, it may require a direct inquiry to Park University's official communications or website.
The following events have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- August 8: El Paso (Texas) Campus / Fort Bliss (Texas) Campus / Holloman Air Force Base (N.M.) Campus Commencement (rescheduled for January 30, 2021)
- Fort Irwin (Calif.) Campus Commencement (tentatively rescheduled for an unknown date in January 2021)
Upcoming events include:
- October 13: River Read Children's Literature Festival
- September 25-27: International Center for Music Concert: Stanislav and Friends Virtual Broadcast
In addition, Learn.org ranked Park No. 31 on its "Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs" list. The Kansas City Business Journal ranked Park No. 76 on its list of "Private-Sector Employees in the July 17 edition. The ranking was based on the number of full-time equivalent employees in the Kansas City area as of June.
Lastly, Gina Chambers, Ph.D., and Suzanne Tiemann, Ph.D., assistant professors of education, were both interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City on July 16. The story was on how the coronavirus pandemic has forced educators to re-imagine models for teaching and touched on Park's Master of Education in Educational Technology for Teachers program. Jack MacLennan, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, appeared in a live, 22-minute interview segment on "Up To Date" on KCUR-FM in Kansas City on July 7.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Park University's Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture, featuring Dr. Norma Riccucci, is scheduled for September 10. This event is held virtually.
- In the general news section, updates on Park University's rugby team and their performances during the Fall I Semester, which starts August 17, could potentially be a topic of interest for sports enthusiasts.
