Your Neighbor
Area Professor Makes a Difference Both Inside and Outside the Classroom ARTICLE ANN E. BUTENAS | PHOTOGRAPHY DAN VIDETICH
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est-selling author Patti Thor once noted, “It’s not that successful people are givers; it is that givers are successful people.” Upon first glance at the resume of William R. “Bill” Venable III, it is quite apparent that this ambitious, driven and well-educated individual is the epitome of success. As an assistant professor of marketing and management at Park University School of Business, he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the table. But what truly sets him apart is his heart of service and desire to give back to the community. With an undergraduate degree from Kansas University, paired with a Master of Business Administration degree from Rockhurst University and a Master of Public Administration from UMKC, Venable may seem like the quintessential fountain of knowledge. Yet, he remains in pursuit of furthering his education and knowledge,
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Leawood Lifestyle | January 2015
and is currently working towards the completion of his doctorate through the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Venable can provide the students at Park University an unparalleled classroom experience because he partners his wealth of education with his extensive professional background that includes a cornucopia of financial, consulting, marketing and executive leadership roles. “I truly enjoy doing what I do as it gives me the opportunity to bridge the gap between the academic world and the real world by bringing practical applications and experiences to the classroom,” says Venable. And for someone who is contemplating enhancing his or her career, earning a degree at the Park School of Business could provide the right motivation. “At Park we have students at 40 campus centers throughout the U.S.,” notes
Venable. “In this area we have a campus center in Parkville, one in Independence and one in the Commerce Tower downtown. We focus on older, non-traditional students and are seeing more from south of the river and both sides of the state line since earning our initial ACBSP Accreditation in 2013.” Adding to the attraction of this university is its affordable tuition compared to other programs in the region, coupled with highly qualified faculty members who, according to Venable, enjoy educating students who genuinely desire to be in the classroom. In addition to his role as educator, Venable has been highly instrumental in promoting the university and immersing himself in a myriad of committees and organizations, and was also elected as president of the faculty senate in 2011.