Crow's Nest Newspaper - December 6, 2024 Edition
Park University's student-athletes have once again made a significant mark, both on the field and in the classroom. A record-breaking 55 student-athletes were named Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes for the fall season of 2024, surpassing the previous school record. The honours were primarily reported for the Parkville campus, with no separate details provided for other campuses.
In the realm of sports, Zackery Fritz, a standout player in the Esports League of Legends, clinched the HAAC Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season. Meanwhile, four Park University cross country runners competed in the NAIA Cross Country National Championship in Columbia, Missouri, on November 22.
Among the runners, Cayden Walker, a freshman from the Parkville Campus, placed 148th with a time of 25:27.7. Lukas Mehl, another sophomore from the Parkville Campus, followed closely behind in 134th place with a time of 25:22.3. Maryan Sharif, a senior from the Gilbert Campus, and Lily Brecheisen, a freshman from the Parkville Campus, also participated, with Sharif placing 264th in the women's 6,000 meter race with a time of 24:37.4, and Brecheisen finishing 267th with a time of 24:40.0.
The Park University International Center for Music (ICM) also made headlines. Ali Mammadov, a graduate certificate student in piano performance, appeared live on Kansas Public Radio's "Classical Music in the Morning" program on November 6. The ICM Orchestra is set to perform its annual holiday concert on December 7.
In the world of academia, Park University was ranked No. 7 on GISDegree.org's "Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Geography" list. Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City on November 2, discussing fact-checking Missouri's Amendment 3. On November 6, Harris appeared live on KCTV's (Kansas City) website and Facebook page for a 60-plus minute interview, providing insight on Donald Trump winning the presidential election, local election results, and Kamala Harris' concession speech. The following day, Harris was interviewed for stories that aired on KCTV related to Missouri voters passing Amendment 2, which will allow sports betting in the state.
Noah Yalu, a notable freshman, was selected as the GSAC Freshman of the Year in men's soccer. The Park University women's volleyball program led Park's teams with 10 individuals being recognised. Melissa Feris, a Park University alumna from 2002, was featured on the CanvasRebel website on November 13, showcasing a number of the paintings she has completed.
Upcoming event: The Ellen Finley Earhart Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place on December 6, 2 p.m., at the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel. The Parkville Campus women's volleyball program led Park's teams with 10 individuals being recognised.
In the world of politics, Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, provided soundbites for stories that aired on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City on November 5, discussing estimates as to when results from the presidential election would be known. On November 8, Harris was again interviewed by KMBZ-FM for stories related to what went wrong for Democrats across the country in the election.
The Park University community continues to excel in various fields, with student-athletes breaking academic records, and the university's faculty and students making significant contributions in academia and politics.
Engaging in both education and self-development, Ali Mammadov, a graduate certificate student in piano performance at the Park University International Center for Music, recently appeared live on Kansas Public Radio's "Classical Music in the Morning" program on November 6. In the sports sphere, Noah Yalu, a standout freshman on the Park University men's soccer team, was named the GSAC Freshman of the Year for the season.
