Founded in 1875 in Parkville, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City, Park University is a comprehensive, independent institution that is a national leader in higher education. In 2000, Park achieved university status and currently serves 16,172 students at 41 locations in 22 states and online, including campuses in Parkville, Independence and Kansas City, Mo.; Lenexa, Kan., Austin and El Paso, Texas; Barstow and Victorville, Calif.; Gilbert, Ariz.; and at 32 military installations across the country. Serving an ethnically diverse student population and non-traditional adult learners has, for many years, been central to Park’s educational mission. Even in its first year, Park University enrolled women students as well as men, something that was unusual at the time; and two of the original 17 students were Native Americans. Park was also an early integrator when it welcomed African-American students to live in Park’s residence halls in the 1950s. Park continues to increase access to higher education by offering the quality undergraduate and graduate degrees students desire at locations, times and delivery formats that best serve their needs. The University has been ranked among the top private colleges/universities in the country for adult learners as well as for annual return on investment, and it is consistently ranked among the top least expensive private schools in the country. Providing such access has developed considerable diversity among the student population, with 253 international students from 58 countries, and a 55 percent student representation from racial, ethnic and cultural groups typically underrepresented in colleges and universities. In addition, extracurricular activities and championship-caliber athletic programs (NAIA) complement Park’s outstanding scholastic programs. Park University offers numerous degree programs online, and it maintains a long- standing relationship with the U.S. military for which it has been recognized as one of the largest providers of online undergraduate education to military learners worldwide. Since 2009, Park has received international recognition each year by various military-related publications as a top military friendly college/university. In addition, Park is among the top-ranked “best for vets” private colleges/universities in the country. 1 A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM ACTING PRESIDENT SHANE B. SMEED Dear Graduates of 2020: Generations of Park University students have faced – and overcome – unthinkable challenges, including two world wars and the 1918 influenza pandemic. 2020 provided you with a new series of trials, and you are stronger because of it. Throughout your educational journey, but especially in these last few months, I have admired your dedication, resilience and courage. The entire Park University family joins me in celebrating your achievement. Today, you join a community of 80,000 extraordinary Park alumni across the nation and throughout the world. Among all the remarkable Park graduating classes throughout the decades, your class, the Class of 2020, has charted new territory. Thank you for remaining committed and focused on your goal of completing your education. I am grateful for all your family members and friends, the Park staff and the Park faculty who have supported you along your journey! Even though we cannot celebrate with you in person, what matters is that you achieved the goal that brought you to Park University. You have earned this moment and I hope you enjoy every second of it. Our alma mater reminds us that Park is “strong as an oak tree.” Your hard work is what makes Park strong. As you go into the world, use your strengths to transform lives and communities with what you have learned. The effects of your accomplishments will be felt throughout your respective communities. I am honored to celebrate this special occasion with each of you. You will always be part of our Park University family. Congratulations! United, in Park, Shane B. Smeed Acting President Park University 2 MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS MISSION STATEMENT Park University transforms lives through accessible, student-centered, quality higher education. VISION STATEMENT Park University will meet learners’ needs for a lifetime. CORE VALUES Park University’s core values describe who we are, what we do and how we do it. They guide our educational strategy, our institutional behavior and our relationships with business partners, suppliers, students, faculty, communities and each other. We expect ACCOUNTABILITY | for our actions at all levels, to each othe and to Park University. We treat all with CIVILITY and RESPECT | while being open and honest in our communication. We seek EXCELLENCE | in all we do, with passionate learning as our highest priority. We celebrate GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP | through our connected learning and working environment, liberal arts education and community stewardship. We embrace INCLUSIVITY | that fosters diversity, teamwork and collaboration. We act with INTEGRITY | through honesty, efficiency and reliability. park.edu 3 PARK UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES More than 16,170 Park University students attend classes at one of 41 locations in 22 states and online from national or international settings. Park University Campuses Locations Parkville (Flagship Campus) Parkville, MO Downtown Kansas City Kansas City, MO Independence Independence, MO Lenexa Lenexa, KS Little Rock Air Force Base Little Rock, AK Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Tucson, AZ Gilbert Gilbert, AZ Luke Air Force Base Glendale, AZ Barstow Community College Barstow, CA Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base Oceanside, CA Victor Valley College Victorville, CA Moody Air Force Base Valdosta, GA Mountain Home Air Force Base Mountain Home, ID Scott Air Force Base Belleville, IL Hanscom Air Force Base Bedford, MA Fort Leonard Wood Waynesville, MO Whiteman Air Force Base Knob Noster, MO Malmstrom Air Force Base Great Falls, MT Holloman Air Force Base Alamogordo, NM Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC Grand Forks Air Force Base Grand Forks, ND Minot Air Force Base Minot, ND Defense Supply Center Columbus Columbus, OH Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Dayton, OH Tinker Air Force Base Midwest City, OK Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC Charleston Air Force Base North Charleston, SC Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington Millington, TN Austin Austin, TX El Paso El Paso, TX Fort Bliss El Paso, TX Goodfellow Air Force Base San Angelo, TX Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland Air Force Base San Antonio, TX Laughlin Air Force Base Del Rio, TX Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph Air Force Base Universal City, TX Hill Air Force Base Ogden, UT Fort Myer Arlington, VA Headquarters Marine Corps/ Arlington, VA Headquarters Battalion Henderson Hall Marine Corps Base Quantico Quantico, VA Fairchild Air Force Base Spokane, WA Francis E. Warren Air Force Base Cheyenne, WY 4 PARK UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jeanette Prenger, ’09 Sarah Moe-Meyers Chair of the Board Kansas City, MO Weatherby Lake, MO William Perry, ’67 Vince Clark Chair of Academic Affairs Committee Vice Chair of the Board Dallas, TX Kansas City, MO Andrew Romer, ’07 Troy Teague Oak Grove, MO Secretary of the Board Adelaida Severson, Ph.D. Kansas City, MO Gilbert, AZ N. Lynn Craghead Andrew Shoffner Treasurer of the Board Basehor, KS Chair of the Finance Committee Cyprienne Simchowitz, J.D. Kansas City, MO Chair of the Marketing and Scott McRuer Advancement Committee Immediate Past Chair of the Board Mission Hills, KS Parkville, MO Jaqueline Snyder, Ed.D. Robert Bucker, D.M.A. Chair of the Trusteeship Parkville, MO Committee Parkville, MO Mitzi Cardenas Kansas City, MO Ami Wisdom Assistant Secretary Mara Cohara, J.D. Parkville, MO Weatherby Lake, MO Michael Collins, ’04 Leawood, KS HONORARY TRUSTEES James Cornelius Kansas City, MO John C. Brown Past Chair of the Board Linda Coventon Kearney, MO Parkville, MO Charles A. Garney Dennis Fisher, Ed.D. Kansas City, MO Chair of the Audit Committee Kansas City, MO Virginia B. McCoy Past Chair of the Board W. Ann Hansbrough, J.D. Parkville, MO Parkville, MO L. Louise Morden Richard Keller Lewiston, NY Leavenworth, KS Gerald R. Moss, J.D. Anthony Melchiorri, ’90 Decanso, CA New York, NY 5 PARK UNIVERSITY VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Saturday, December 12, 2020, 12:00 p.m. (CST) “The Star Spangled Banner” . .Casi Joy McCall, ’12 Welcome . Shane B. Smeed Acting President Greetings from the Park University Board of Trustees . Jeanette Prenger, ’09 Board Chair Greetings from the Faculty . Jack MacLennan, Ph.D. Faculty Senate President Commencement Remarks . Anthony Melchiorri, ’90 Entrepreneur, and Co-Creator and Host of Travel Channel’s “Hotel Impossible” Commissioning of Cadet . Cadet Carolyn Hutabarat Recognition of Student Honors . Michelle E. Myers, Ed.D. Provost Conferral of Degrees and Closing Remarks . Mr. Smeed Undergraduate Processional Graduate Processional Campus Centers Congratulations . Campus Center Directors 6 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Anthony Melchiorri, ’90 Entrepreneur, and Co-Creator and Host of Travel Channel’s “Hotel Impossible” Anthony Melchiorri, a 1990 Park University graduate and a U.S. military veteran, is the host, co-creator and co-executive producer of Travel Channel’s “Hotel Impossible” series of shows, including “Hotel Impossible: Five-Star Secrets,” “Hotel Impossible: Showdown” and “Extreme Hotels.” Prior to beginning his career in hotel hospitality, Melchiorri served as a protocol officer in the U.S. Air Force. Beginning as director of front office operations at The Plaza Hotel in New York, Melchiorri has repositioned some of the nation’s finest properties. At age 29, he was appointed general manager of The Lucerne hotel in 1997, and under his management, The Lucerne was selected as The New York Times Travel Guide’s Best Service Hotel. He also served as general manager of New York’s historic Algonquin Hotel and led a $15 million renovation of the property. Melchiorri also founded Argeo Hospitality in 2010, a hotel management and consulting company, and he has launched a line of Anthony Melchiorri branded hotel products. A resident of New York City, Melchiorri earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Park’s Whiteman Air Force Base (Mo.) Campus.