The Crow's Nest Daily Update - September 5, 2025
Park University's community of alumni and faculty members made headlines in August, with a series of impressive achievements and recognitions.
Elizabeth (Weese) Muncal, a 2005 Park graduate, was honoured with the Philanthropic Leadership Award. Meanwhile, Hannah NeSmith, another 2009 graduate, received the Distinguished Alumna Award for 2025. The prestigious Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award of the Park University Alumni Association will be awarded to Gary J. Moss in 2025.
In the realm of academia, Brian Hoffman, Ph.D., a 1986 graduate and professor of biology at Park, was recognised with the Torchlighter Award. Hoffman's contributions to education and research have been significant and influential.
The University's golf teams also saw success this month. Martha Linscott, head coach of the men's and women's golf teams, competed in the U.S. Senior Women's Open, while Linscott herself won a U.S. Senior Women's Amateur qualifying event at Shadow Glen Golf Club in Olathe, Kan., on Aug. 8. Linscott finished the U.S. Senior Women's Open in a tie for 41st with a score of 19-over par (311) on the par 73 course.
Matt Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed by various media outlets, including KMBC-TV in Kansas City and KCTV, to discuss redistricting plans for the State of Missouri. His insights were also featured in an Aug. 25 article published in The Independent, an online newspaper in the United Kingdom. Harris participated in a 12-minute live interview with KCTV on Aug. 18 and an 11-minute live interview for KCTV's digital platforms on Aug. 4, related to Missouri redistricting plans.
Enterprise Mobility, an active partner in the University's career success programming for students, was honoured as the inaugural winner of the Park Proud Business Leadership Award. Kimberlee Ried, a 2016 graduate (Master of Arts), was also recognised with the Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award.
Lastly, Thelma Jean Curl, believed to be the currently oldest living Park University graduate, celebrated her 105th birthday on Aug. 2 in Evansville, Ind.
The ceremony for these awards will take place in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the University's flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus on Friday, Sept. 26, as part of Park's Homecoming Weekend festivities. Madisyn Pettit, a 2018 graduate, is the recipient of the Park Promising Young Professional Award. Pablo Canamero Carrasco, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree in business analytics, presented a paper titled "Predicting MLS Players' Market Values Using Machine Learning Algorithms" at the American Statistical Association's Joint Statistical Meeting on Aug. 3 in Nashville, Tenn.
Verenice Castillo, '18, authored an article, "Alex's Journey: From Challenges to Triumphs," that was published on the Partners in Promise website on Aug. 24. The story focused on Castillo's son who was diagnosed with autism 13 years ago.
These accomplishments and recognitions demonstrate the ongoing success and impact of Park University's community, both within the University and beyond.
