Events and Stories Highlights of Park University in 2023
Top 10 Notable Events and Stories at Park University in 2023
- Manhattan Project Connection: Three Park University alumni, Joseph McKibben, '33, Ph.D., Hugh Richards, '39, Ph.D., and John Cory, '42, were associated with the Manhattan Project, a significant aspect featured in the film "Oppenheimer."
- Global Recognition for Matt Harris: Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, gained global media attention with an article published in The Conversation on July 24, discussing Taylor Swift as a political influencer. He also participated in live interviews on KCBS-AM in San Francisco and on 630 CHED (Edmonton, Canada) / QR Radio (Calgary, Canada) in December.
- Esports Achievement: Zackery Fritz, a sophomore nursing major and a member of Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus esports team, was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference's first-ever Esports League of Legends Player of the Year.
- Success in Volleyball: The Park University Parkville (Mo.) Campus men's volleyball team won five of the six major awards announced by the Heart of America Athletic Conference in March.
- Commencement at Cable Dahmer Arena: Park University held its Kansas City Area Commencement at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Mo., for the first time. Cliff Illig, principal owner of Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City franchise and retired co-founder of Cerner Corp., presented the keynote address.
- Valor Medals Review Project Documentary: The documentary "More Than A Medal," which explores the work of the Valor Medals Review Project by Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, was placed on availability on YouTube, CuriosityStream, HistoryHit, and Vimeo.
- Top Events Compilation: The Office of Strategic Communications compiled the University's top 10 events and stories of the year.
- Fulbright Scholarship: Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was selected as a 2023-24 Fulbright Scholar by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. During the 2023-24 academic year, he is teaching at Moldova State University in the capital city of Chisinău, working on peace journalism and a project to counter misinformation.
- Grant for Sport and Exercise Science and Nursing Programs: Park University received a $108,758 grant from U.S. Trust: Victor E. Speas Foundation in January 2023. The grant supported the Sport and Exercise Science and Nursing programs, allowing for the purchase of a portable metabolic analyzer and clinical skills simulation mannequins, as well as hospital beds for the mannequins.
- HAAC Tournament Championship: Fritz helped lead Park University to the HAAC tournament championship on Oct. 28 as the Pirates, the No. 4 seed in the tournament, pulled off two upsets to win the title.
Note: Due to a lack of detailed top 10 events and stories specifically for Park University in 2023 in current search data, this list may not be exhaustive. For a more comprehensive list, it is recommended to check Park University’s official website, press releases, or contact their communications office directly.
Additional Information: Claude English, retired director of athletics and former men's basketball head coach at Park University's flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus, was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
- The office of Park University, in a comprehensive review of education and self-development, included the recognition of Claude English, retired director of athletics and former men's basketball head coach, as he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
- Amidst general news, Matt Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University, gained global media attention not only with an article in The Conversation on July 24, discussing Taylor Swift as a political influencer but also by participating in live interviews on various radio stations in San Francisco, Edmonton, Canada, and Calgary, Canada in December.
