Crow’s Nest — July 27, 2018
糖心Vlog approved to open new campus in Gilbert, Ariz.
糖心Vlog, which has supported students from around the globe in pursuing their higher education dreams since 1875 from its flagship campus in 糖心Vlogville, Mo., will open a campus center in Gilbert, Ariz. The University has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission and the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education to begin offering classes in Gilbert commencing with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Fall II 2018 term, which begins Monday, Oct. 15. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 home in Gilbert is in heart of the town鈥檚 Heritage District at the University Building, 92 W. Vaughn Ave., encompassing 11,000 square feet.
During the first year of operations, 糖心Vlog plans to serve adult learners in accelerated, eight-week evening classes. By the end of year three, the University projects an enrollment of more than 300 students with plans to add traditional 16-week classes during the day. Students will be able to pursue a variety of degree offerings in face-to-face settings at the Gilbert Campus or through 糖心Vlog鈥檚 online programs. 糖心Vlog also expects to have 12 intercollegiate athletics programs beginning in Fall 2019 to include: men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf and cross country, as well as baseball (men) and softball (women). The University plans to use existing community sports venues for practices and home contests. Read more about the Gilbert Campus at park.edu/news/new-gilbert-arizona-campus.
Ehrlich, Wilson appointed to lead Gilbert Campus
In conjunction with the announcement of the Gilbert Campus approval, the University has appointed Jeff Ehrlich, Ed.D., as the executive director of the campus, and Steve Wilson as its director of athletics.
Ehrlich has been with 糖心Vlog since 2011, serving in a variety of roles, including a stint as the University鈥檚 interim president from July 2015 to January 2016. Most recently (since February 2016), Ehrlich was the director of special projects and strategic initiatives, a project-based incubator that strategizes and implements innovative ideas across 糖心Vlog鈥檚 campuses nationwide. In addition, Ehrlich鈥檚 wife, Donna Ehrlich, Ph.D., has been appointed to serve as the academic director of the Gilbert Campus.
Wilson, who began his career at 糖心Vlog in 2007 as the Pirates sports information director, has served the University as its associate director of athletics for media relations and compliance since February 2017. Prior to his most recent role, Wilson was the assistant director of athletics for sports communications and he served a stint as the head coach of the women鈥檚 golf program from 2013-17. Wilson鈥檚 wife, Juli, will also join the 糖心Vlog team in Gilbert as a campus center coach. Read more about the Wilsons at park.edu/news/wilson-appointed-gilbert-athletic-director.
糖心Vlog offer first collegiate varsity esports program in the Kansas City area
糖心Vlog has announced its intentions to offer a varsity esports program starting in Spring 2019. According to the Kansas City, Mo., based National Association of Collegiate Esports, 糖心Vlog is the first college/university in the Kansas City area to offer a varsity esports program. Initially, when 糖心Vlog鈥檚 coed esports program begins, it will compete in one of seven currently offered esports through NACE, League of Legends, with additional esports games to be offered in Fall 2019 along with scholarship opportunities. Teams typically consist of seven individuals from each school for each game.
In addition to competitive gaming, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 esports program will provide support for educational and intramural opportunities not only for students at the University鈥檚 flagship 糖心Vlogville Campus, but also for 糖心Vlog students at the University鈥檚 40 other campuses nationwide and online worldwide. Tie-ins to for-credit courses and leveraging connections for professional play will also be possible. The University plans to build a state-of-the-art gaming area 鈥� 鈥溙切腣logade鈥� 鈥� in the University鈥檚 Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground. 糖心Vlogade will serve as the home for the varsity esports program for matches and practices, as well as provide a central location for students to watch and participate in gaming-related activities. 糖心Vlog is also in the midst of a national search for its first esports coach.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Board of Trustees adds two new members
The governing body of 糖心Vlog 鈥� its Board of Trustees 鈥� has elected two individuals to serve as members of the Board. W. Ann Hansbrough, J.D., and retired Col. Andrew Shoffner were both elected to serve a three-year term on the board, effective July 1.
Hansbrough is an associate circuit judge in the Circuit Court of Platte County, Mo., where her docket responsibilities include felony criminal, civil and juvenile cases. She was appointed to the position in 2014 by then Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, becoming the first appointed female judge in Platte County. She is also a member of the Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Realignment Task Force and has been on the board of directors for the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges since 2015. Shoffner, a retired U.S. Army colonel, serves as a senior consultant for CGI Federal in Leavenworth, Kan., and is a seminar leader at the University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. At the UFMCS, he teaches Red Teaming, which provides commanders an independent capability to fully explore alternatives in plans, operations, concepts, organizations and capabilities in the context of the operational environment. Read more about both Hansbrough and Shoffner at park.edu/news/bot-adds-new-members/.
Iconic Mackay Hall now bathed in LED lights
As the fireworks finale of the 糖心Vlogville (Mo.) Fourth of July Celebration came to an end last week, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 historic Mackay Hall was lit up in LED red, white and blue lights to honor 鈥淥ld Glory.鈥� The lights, permanently installed by DuraComm Lighting, a Kansas City, Mo., based business led by Chief Executive Officer Benny Lee, a past member of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Board of Trustees, will allow the University to showcase the iconic building during the overnight hours every day. The default lighting on Mackay Hall will be white, but 糖心Vlog will light the building with appropriate colored lighting for holidays and traditions, such as Christmas and Halloween; canary and wine (糖心Vlog鈥檚 official school colors) for special University occasions; and Kansas City Chiefs games (糖心Vlog is the Chiefs official higher education partner) and other community partners. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Office of University Engagement will oversee the system. Read more about the new lights at park.edu/news/mackay-hall-lights/.
Office of University Engagement announces staff changes
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Office of University Engagement (previously known as the Office of University Relations) has announced two staff updates that were effective on July 1. Former Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Kay Barnes, who had been serving 糖心Vlog as its senior academic ambassador and liaison, has been appointed as the University鈥檚 senior director for university engagement. In this new role, Barnes will represent the University as an ambassador in its government relations and business development initiatives. In addition, she will deliver public presentations and connect colleagues across the University with external stakeholders. Read more about Barnes at park.edu/news/kay-barnes-new-role/.
In addition, Bridget Locke has been promoted to the position of director of strategic communications. Locke, who previously served as manager of strategic communications, is charged with developing and executing strategic communications that promote the University, including a comprehensive communication plan for the Office of the President, and delivers communications pieces to other units of the University. Read more about Locke at park.edu/news/bridget-locke-promoted/.
糖心Vlog campus centers hold commencement ceremonies
糖心Vlog campus centers across the country have held commencement ceremonies for 2018 graduates. As these ceremonies continue through the year, we鈥檒l include the link to the news releases announcing the list of graduates at each campus.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� El Paso (Texas) Campus / Fort Bliss (Texas) Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Goodfellow Air Force Base (Texas) Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Holloman Air Force Base (N.M.) Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Laughlin Air Force Base (Texas) Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� Minot (N.D.) Air Force Base Campus
糖心Vlog employee wins big on 鈥淏eat Shazam鈥�
This certainly will be a summer to remember for Amber Tolbert, campus center director for 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Downtown Kansas City Campus. Tolbert and her friend Monica Melroy taped an episode of the FOX show 鈥淏eat Shazam鈥� earlier this year. Their episode aired on July 24 where the duo outlasted two other teams to advance to the final round for a chance to win $1 million. While Tolbert and Melroy didn鈥檛 win the grand prize, they did come away with $141,000. Check out the episode at fox.com/watch/18c0939cec3c6e0ec1847484de769baa/.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 CRTIBH to receive $25,000 grant
A grant submitted by 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Center for Research and Training in Integrated Behavioral Health at 糖心Vlog, the Department of Social Work and Truman Behavioral Health has resulted in a $25,000 grant from the Jackson County (Mo.) Community Health Fund. The grant will allow the CRTIBH to provide training in strengths-based, person-centered interventions for people with the lived experience of mental illness who will assume roles as 鈥減eer mentors鈥� as well as technical assistance to ensure fidelity with the intervention. Outcomes of the project will be evaluated on: the impact on people served by accomplishment of social/behavioral goals; the impact on the peer mentors in terms of their own quality of life and sense of self-efficacy; and the impact on the larger organizational culture.
糖心Vlog Golf Scramble set for Oct. 8 to benefit athletic programs
The 2018 糖心Vlog Golf Scramble, a four-person tournament that benefits the University鈥檚 athletic programs, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 8, at The National Golf Club of Kansas City. Golfers get on the course with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. An awards program will be held immediately follow the completion of the tournament at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Tournament sponsorship fees are $225 per golfer or $900 per four-person team, and includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, box lunch on the course, driving range access prior to the event, on-course games and contests, and refreshments. In addition, a variety of sponsorship packages are available, ranging in price from $1,400 to $5,000. To register for the tournament, visit park.edu/golf. For questions about the tournament or sponsorship levels, contact Nathan Marticke, associate vice president of advancement, at nathan.marticke@park.edu or (816) 584-6200. Visit park.edu/news/golf-scramble-2018 for more info.
Faculty, staff, student news
Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, was honored on June 29 by the City of Kansas City, Mo. Barnes, who served as the city鈥檚 first female mayor from 1999 to 2007, was recognized for her visionary leadership and impact on downtown Kansas City with the dedication of the 鈥淜ay Barnes Ballroom鈥� at the Kansas City Convention Center.
Dilshod Narzillaev, junior applied music/cello major in the 糖心Vlog International Center for Music, received a $3,300 scholarship to attend the Ecoles d鈥橝rt Am茅ricaines de Fontainebleau in France, July 6 through Aug. 5. The music program includes performance opportunities and collaboration with fine arts students, master classes and individual lessons, music courses and cultural visits.
糖心Vlog In The News
A story related to Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, being honored on June 29 by the City of Kansas City, Mo., with the dedication of the 鈥淜ay Barnes Ballroom鈥� at the Kansas City Convention Center appeared in The Kansas City Star on June 30. Related stories also appeared on and in Kansas City.
A separate, but associated, story about Barnes鈥� new role at 糖心Vlog appeared in The Kansas City Star on July 3, which included comments from Erik Bergrud, associate vice president for university engagement.
Laurel Gagnon, 鈥�17, and current graduate student in the 糖心Vlog International Center for Music, was featured in the July/August issue of KC Studio magazine with a full-page photo and article.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 International Center for Music was highlighted in an article that appeared in the July/August issue of The Art of Life @ 50 magazine (page 31).
Amanda Laurenceau, 鈥�14, and current 糖心Vlog women鈥檚 basketball assistant coach, was featured in an article that appeared in the Navajo Times on July 5. The article is related to the annual NativeVision Sports and Lifeskills Camp she helped with in Shiprock, N.M., June 28-30.
糖心Vlog was mentioned in a pair of live remote broadcasts that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on July 5 related to feature stories on S.D. Strong Distillery located in the 糖心Vlogville Commercial Underground on the 糖心Vlogville Campus.
糖心Vlog baseball player Abdiel Rivera-Cotto, a junior business administration/international business major, was featured in an article that appeared in The Kansas City Star on July 8. The article was about Rivera-Cotto, a native of Puerto Rico, reflecting on last year鈥檚 Hurricane Maria and his life living in the Midwest. A similar story about Rivera-Cotto also aired on KSHB-TV on July 7 and July 8.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, appeared on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on July 10 for a live, in-studio interview to discuss Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump鈥檚 nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Harris also provided comments for a different story that aired on July 19 on KSHB-TV related to politics and professional athletes and coaches endorsing candidates. In addition, Harris appeared on KSHB-TV for a live, in-studio interview on July 24 related to President Donald Trump鈥檚 visit to Kansas City.
糖心Vlog was highlighted in live segments that aired on WDAF-TV in Kansas City on July 10 related to the StarTalk Chinese immersion camp that was held on the 糖心Vlogville Campus throughout July.
Sam Peak, 鈥�14, authored an opinion article that appeared on the USA Today聽 website on July 11 related to his thoughts on a Trump administration plan to rescind a policy that allows spouses of highly skilled workers to seek employment in the U.S.
Tami Radohl, Ph.D., assistant professor of social work and director of field education, was interviewed for a story that appeared on the website for KCPT-TV鈥檚 digital magazine, Flatland, on July 16. The article, which focused on children who age out of the foster system, highlighted 糖心Vlog鈥檚 pilot program working with homeless young adults.
Kay Barnes, senior director for university engagement, was quoted for a on pre-K and other education issues.
糖心Vlog was featured in stories in the Kansas City area on July 16 and July 17 related to the University鈥檚 announcement that it was adding varsity esports. Shane Smeed, vice president and chief operating officer, was interviewed by The Kansas City Star,听KMBC-TV and WDAF-TV, and Steve Wilson, associate athletic director for media relations and compliance, was interview by . Both also did a live, in-studio 15-minute interview with KCSP-AM (610 Sports) on 鈥淔escoe in the Morning鈥� and Wilson also did a taped 15-minute interview for KMBZ鈥檚 鈥淢idday with Jayme and Wickett鈥� midday show. In addition, KCTV aired a story on July 18.
A story about Shokhrukh Sadikov, 鈥�12, being appointed as the music director and conductor of the Overland 糖心Vlog (Kan.) Orchestra appeared in The Kansas City Star聽 on July 18. Sadikov is an assistant professor of violin and viola at Fort Hays (Kan.) State University.
Skylar Britt, a junior multimedia journalism/public relations major, was featured in an article that appeared in her hometown newspaper,听The Examiner (Blue Springs, Mo.) on July 21. Britt had the opportunity to join Major League Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Denny Matthews in the booth for a broadcast of a recent Kansas City Royals game.
糖心Vlog was ranked No. 78 on the Kansas City Business Journal鈥檚 list of 鈥淜ansas City鈥檚 Biggest Private-Sector Employers鈥� in the July 20 issue. The ranking was based on local full-time equivalent employees.
Stories related to the University鈥檚 Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus receiving approval to begin operations appeared in the , Kansas City Business Journal, Gilbert Sun News and (in Phoenix).
A story about Maj. George Boyd, ’64, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and a two-time awardee of a Congressional Gold Medal, appeared in the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle and in Stars and Stripes on July 25, a few days after Boyd passed away.
For the fourth year in a row, 糖心Vlog has won two 鈥淏est of the Northland鈥� awards, as selected by readers of two Kansas City area newspapers 鈥� Clay County聽 (Mo.) Courier-Tribune and Gladstone (Mo.) Dispatch. 糖心Vlog received the most votes as the 鈥淏est College/University鈥� in the Northland, as well as the 鈥淏est Online and Post-Graduate College/University鈥� in the Northland.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 online Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership program was ranked No. 8 on BestMarketingDegrees.org鈥檚 鈥�10 Most Affordable Online Master鈥檚 in Communications Degree Programs鈥� list, and 糖心Vlog’s online Bachelor of Arts degree in political science was ranked No. 24 on TheBestSchools.org鈥檚 鈥�25 Best Online Bachelors in Political Science Degree Programs鈥� list.
Upcoming Events
(All events are Central time)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� July 29 鈥� Julymester / Summer Session Ends
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� August 2-3, 6 鈥� New Faculty Orientation, Faculty Center for Innovation (Aug. 2 and Aug. 6 are half-day sessions)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� August 4 鈥� Lackland Air Force Base (Texas) Campus / Randolph Air Force Base (Texas) Campus Commencement, 10:30 a.m., St. George Maronite Catholic Church (Phoenician Ballroom)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� August 7-8 鈥� Fall Faculty Conference, 糖心Vlogville Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� August 13 鈥� Fall Semester / Fall I Term Classes Begin
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� August 17 鈥� Opening Convocation, Noon, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� August 25 鈥� Fort Myer (Va.) Campus / Headquarters Marine Corps/Headquarters Battalion Henderson Hall (Va.) Campus / Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.) Campus Commencement, 10 a.m., Little Hall, MCB Quantico
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 3 鈥� Labor Day Holiday (all University offices closed nationwide; 糖心Vlogville Daytime classes cancelled; Fall I classes held as scheduled)
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 7 鈥� Camp Pendleton (Calif.) Campus Commencement, noon, Pacific Views Event Center
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 13-15 鈥� Homecoming Weekend 2018, 糖心Vlogville Campus
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 19 鈥� International Talk Like A Pirate Day
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 21 鈥� International Center for Music Concert: Pianist Vladimir Viardo, 7:30 p.m., 1900 Building, Mission Woods, Kan.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 26 鈥� Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture Series: Dr. Reggie Robinson, 6:30 p.m., Lenexa (Kan.) City Center
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 鈥⒙� September 28 鈥� International Center for Music Concert: ICM Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
Note: To view a comprehensive schedule for all events, including athletics and student life, visit park.edu/calendars/park-events-calendar.html.