Park students send school supplies to Afghanistan
Dennis D. Kerkman, Ph.D., left, and Adrienne Barr, president of Park's Psychology Club, are shown with the 200-plus pounds of school supplies that were shipped to students in Afghanistan.
While in Tora Bora, Afghanistan, military personnel, including a Park University Online student and special forces officer, helped convert a building into schoolhouse for Afghan children. But when they were finished, they found that there was no place to get school supplies for children.
The Park student (whose identify is not being revealed due to security purposes) kept in touch with Dennis D. Kerkman, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, who taught his Online course. "When I asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he told me school supplies for the kids," Kerkman said.
The student later provided Kerkman some photos of the children and the school, which he subsequently showed to his social psychology class on the Parkville Campus.
"We were discussing altruism that day, and the next time the class met, I found 200-plus pounds of spiral notebooks, pens, crayons and other supplies in a pile. The students told me that Santa brought them," Kerkman said. "I almost lost it in front of the whole class. It was probably my finest experience in 20 years as a teacher."
Although the bill to mail the supplies to Afghanistan was more than $120, the Psychology Club and Park's chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology students, volunteered to pick up the tab.
"I know this sounds like Dickens' A Christmas Carol," said Kerkman, "but it really did make me feel better about my life and the world. Park is a special place."
Park receives gift for endowed scholarship
Harry Offutt, left, president of the Leeds Businessmen's Association, presents a check for $46,500 to Hilary Wheat, Park University major gift officer, for the establishment of the Leeds Scholar in Nursing Endowed Scholarship.
Since 1972, the Leeds Businessmen's Association in Kansas City, Mo., provided $115,000 in grants to assist those pursuing an education. But at the end of 2007, because of membership aging and dwindling numbers, the group decided to cease operations. The Association, however, aware of the need for trained nurses, decided to invest its funds in an endowed scholarship at Park.
The Leeds Scholar in Nursing Endowed Scholarship has been established with an initial gift of $46,500. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be pursing a degree in Park's nursing program and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, among other qualifications.
For more information on this scholarship, contact Renee Jack, scholarship coordinator, at renee.jack@park.edu or (816) 584-6294.
Speaker to discuss leadership and spirituality in the workplace
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., whose book Soul at Work focuses on spiritual leadership in organizations, will present a discussion on Friday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the McCoy Meetin' House. The event is free and open to the public.
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D.
Benefiel, an adjunct instructor of spirituality and congregational/organizational leadership at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Center, Mass., is also the CEO of her own company, Executive Soul, an organization that helps leaders make better decisions through spiritual leadership.
According to Lolly Ockerstrom, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, anyone who has an interest in how listening and spiritual discernment can improve organizational leadership will find her talk relevant to their everyday work experience.
Christopher discusses security at conference
Kenneth Christopher, D.P.A.
Kenneth Christopher, D.P.A., assistant professor of criminal justice administration, was invited to speak on "Gate Innovations and Technologies for Improving Throughput and Security" at a Government Technologies/GTSA Corporation-sponsored conference on Nov. 29 in Los Angeles.
At the conference, which focused on video architecting an integrated technology platform for physical security and in-car video management, Christopher offered a case study of the integration of business and security processes using emerging video technology for processing the throughput of persons, vehicles and containerized cargo in a seaport environment.
Park receives grant from Missouri Colleges Fund
Citing a desire to invest in education in the state of Missouri, the Harry Cooper Supply Co. recently provided a grant of $12,000 to the Missouri Colleges Fund. The grant will underwrite student scholarships at Park University and the 15 other MCF member schools, with each school receiving $750.
Yoga classes to again be offered
Vinyasa yoga, which involves a flowing series of postures that focus on breath, alignment, strength and flexibility, will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays for eight weeks beginning Tuesday, Jan. 22. Suitable for all levels of fitness, the challenging and creative sequencing of this yoga class will refresh your body and mind.
The class, which will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the first floor of Dearing Hall, is free to Park students, staff and faculty. Participants are asked to wear comfortable or loose-fitting clothing and to bring a soft blanket or mat. For more information or to register, contact Linda Waxse, coordinator of student counseling or Erin Martin, counselor, at (816) 584-6798, or linda.waxse@park.edu or emartin@park.edu.
University accepting bids for vehicle
Park University is accepting sealed bids for a University-owned 2003 Toyota Camry LE Sedan 40. The vehicle, with a V6 3.0 liter engine with automatic transmission, has 43,420 miles. It comes well-equipped with air conditioning, power steering/windows/door locks, tilt wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, dual front air bags and power seats.
Bids will be received in the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration until 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15. The University holds a reserve bid of $12,500. The vehicle is available for inspection in front of the Millsap Foyer during normal business hours the rest of this week. Cash, certified check and money orders will be accepted and are due upon delivery of the title.
For more information, contact Jim Crum, business affairs director, at (816) 584-6382 or jim.crum@park.edu.
Green tip of the week
Use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher instead of the heat-dry option. Air drying uses 15 to 50 percent less energy in practically the same amount of time. If your dishwasher does not have an air-dry setting, simply open the door once the final rinse is complete. For more information and additional tips to lead a "green life," visit http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/.
Upcoming Events
- Aaron Ennis senior art exhibition -- through Feb. 1, Campanella Art Gallery
- Residence halls open -- Jan. 11, 8 a.m.
- Spring Orientation -- Jan. 12 (Parkville Campus only)
- Spring 2008 Semester, Spring I session begin -- Jan. 14
- Martin Luther King Day holiday -- Jan. 21 (Parkville daytime only)
- Kansas City Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition -- Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
- Fisk Jubilee Singers -- Feb. 3, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
- Valerie Doran Bashaw art exhibition -- Feb. 3 to March 14, Campanella Art Gallery
- ICCE Book Club discussion -- Feb. 6, 11 a.m., McCoy Meetin' House
- Fountain City Brass Band concert -- Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
- Kansas City Youth Symphony concert -- Feb. 10, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
- Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City with International Center for Music student soloists, featuring Conductor Andres Franco -- Feb. 17, 3 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
- President's Day -- Feb. 18 (Parkville daytime only)
- Brenda Cardenas poetry reading -- Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
- "The Shape of Things" performance -- Feb. 22, 23, 28, 29, and March 1, 8 p.m., David Theater in Alumni Hall
- Quartet Accorda concert, featuring Marina Sultanova, pianist -- Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
Note: To view a comprehensive athletics schedule, visit www.parkathletics.com/news/dept/all_events.shtml.
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