Park University Alumni Association Unveils Recipients for 2023 Annual Accolades
Park University Honours Distinguished Alumni and Members
Park University has announced the recipients of its annual awards for 2023, recognising the achievements and contributions of its alumni and faculty members.
Michael Collins, a 2004 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Collins, a retired U.S. Army major general, served as Park University’s president from 2011 to 2015 and later as the university’s chancellor. He is also the founder and CEO of Grayson Capital, a minority-owned commercial real estate investment, development, and site selection advisory company based in Kansas City, Mo. Collins previously worked as the managing director for JE Dunn Capital Partners LLC and served as president and CEO of Port KC. In addition, he is the chair of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and serves on the Urban Land Institute’s Global Governing Trustee board and the Americas Executive Committee.
Collins is not the only alumnus being honoured by Park University. Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, is the recipient of the 2023 Paul H. Gault Service Award. The award is presented annually to a retired Park University faculty or staff member who provided a minimum of 15 years of distinguished service to the University. Okerstrom served Park's Department of English from 1987-2018 and will be honoured with a ceremony on Sept. 29, 2023, starting at 3 p.m., in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the Parkville Campus.
Nancy Potter, a 1966 Park University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics, is the recipient of the Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award. Potter, a resident of Weatherby Lake, Mo., retired from Waddell & Reed in 2008 and has served on various Park-related groups, including the University’s Alumni Council and the Save Park House project. She is also involved in community groups, such as the Weatherby Lake Garden Club and the annual Parkville Microbrew Festival.
The Park University Alumni Association also announced the recipient of the Park Promising Young Professional Award, which goes to a recent graduate who has demonstrated exceptional promise in their career. Paul Bilanzic, a 2015 Park University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/finance, is the recipient of this year’s award. Bilanzic, an attorney since January 2021 with the law firm Bilanzic Law, was a member of the Park University men’s volleyball team which won the NAIA National Invitational Tournament in 2012 and 2014.
Finally, Pat Fayard, a resident of Parkville who worked in various roles for the University for 38 years, is the recipient of the Torchlighter Award. Fayard retired in 2023 after 22 years as the assistant to the athletic director and athletics office manager, and also served as Park’s cheerleading coach from 1987-2000. Fayard was inducted into the Park Athletics Wall of Honor in 2019 for meritorious service to the athletics department.
These awards serve to recognise the outstanding contributions of Park University alumni and faculty members, and to inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps.
References: - [1] Park University News Release, "Park University Alumni Association announces 2023 honorees of its four annual awards," [accessed 2023-05-15]. - [2] Park University News Release, "Park University celebrates distinguished alumnus Michael Collins," [accessed 2023-05-15].
In the context of the announced awards at Park University, lifelong learning is evident as Dennis Okerstrom, a retired professor, continues to serve the University despite retiring, demonstrating a commitment to education and self-development. Online education is also part of Park University's offerings, with Paul Bilanzic, a recent graduate, recognized for his exceptional promise in his career, highlighting the University's focus on Learning.
