The Stylus - September 7, 2018

s u l y t S e h T

2018-19

Volume 124

ISSUE

A student publication of Park University since 1895

#1

Visit stylusonline.org for online news and student blogs FB: ParkUniversityStylus stylus@park.edu September 7, 2018

Park opens new campus Dakota Soukup Reporter Park University announced in July that it would open a new campus in Gilbert, Ariz. The campus will officially open for the Fall II term on October 15, 2018.

This addition will increase the number of campuses Park University has to 43 sites in 22 states. Among those 43 sites, 33 of them are on military bases.

“Park University wanted to create another campus that wasn’t associated with a military base to grow the population of students that are not military students,” said Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., President of Park University.

The Gilbert campus will be similar to the main Parkville PHOTO/Zartasha Sani See Gilbert on page 4 President Gunderson lighting a candle at convocation to symbolize the light and motivation within students.

Convocation focuses on involvement Zartasha Sani Reporter The message at opening convocation for the 2018 school year focused on involvement within Park University and the Parkville community. Opening convocation, an annual gathering was held

on August 17 in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel.

There were several guest speakers, including the mayor of Parkville, Nan Johnston, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Scott McRuer, Associate Professor of Education and President of the Faculty Senate, Amy Wolf, Ph.D., and Park

Student Government Association President Jesse Patrick. All emphasized the importance of stepping out of the comfort zone and becoming involved in collegiate life.

Johnston used the city of Parkville as

See Convocation on page 3

In This Issue: Entertainment.....2 News....................3 Features...........4-5 Campus Life.....6-8

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 2 September 7, 2018

Release date for Netflix series delayed two months Jon Hokenson Reporter Rescheduled release dates are always frustrating, especially multiple ones. But if Hieronymus Bosch was taking longer than expected to paint “In the Garden of Earthly Delights,” no fan would hover over his shoulder asking if he was done yet. Masterpieces take time. The Netflix original animated series “Castlevania” is a masterpiece and season two should be coming October 26, 2018.

“Castlevania” is inspired by a video game first released in 1986 by Konami on the Family Computer Disk System. Since then, the game has stretched across generations and no fewer than ten game systems. It sports a story that spans around 700 years.

In keeping with this varied past, the Netflix series covers 22 years and three locales in its first ten minutes. Rather than relying on overly specific title cards or clunky character dialogue, the cartoon makes these different times and places immediately clear with music, ambient noise, location design and animation. Characters refer to various

towns like Targoviste, Gresit or the entire country of Wallachia with a casual and interchangeable indifference, not unlike a Kansas Citian telling a New Yorker they’re from Kansas City, and someone from Parkville they’re from Raytown.

The effect is a world that feels huge without hours of torturous backstory. “Castlevania” excels at using the characters’ vision and knowledge to tell you there’s more going on in this world than the tiny bit the viewer can see.

The title cards give minimal information; the date markers serve only as a reminder of the sweeping gaze of the immortal antagonist, Vlad Dracula Tepes, voiced by Graham McTavish.

This perspective is another example of the show’s top tier storytelling. Opening with the tale of Dracula’s hatred for man shows the villain isn’t without reason.

Nothing in “Castlevania” is that simple.

Except the roving demon horde. That’s pretty straight forward. The heroes, on the other hand, are complex.

In the case of Trevor Belmount, voiced by Richard Armitage, the hero is a drunken, foul mouthed, apathetic, smelly kind of complex. Fans of the games se-

ries will recognize Belmount’s namesake as the legendary house of monster slayers that players have controlled over the years. Seeing the contrast between Belmount and those heroes gives a stark illustration of the paraphrased Nietzsche, “when fighting monsters, beware you don’t become one.”

However, when Trevor desperately flees a murderous mob through what turns out to be a gauntlet of improvised traps, it was the first time, out of a 25year cavalcade of failed attempts, I felt the thrill of a video game while watching a show.

The other heroes are slightly less fleshed out, due mostly to the only legitimate complaint that can be proffered against “Castlevania” – there isn’t enough of it. The first season was four episodes long at about 22 minutes apiece. With luck, the release date will stay put this time and the show’s success will have translated into more content.

If no, well; no one would tell Bob Ross, “Knock it off with the trees, we’ve got a schedule to keep.”

With Halloween right around the corner, assuming the corner was two

Staff List Editor-in-chief Carin Bublitz

Editors

Skylar Britt Abby Jeans

Reporters

Jon Hokenson Zartasha Sani Dakota Soukup

Designer

Emilie Heston

Adviser

Kristin Shaw months away, you owe it to yourself to take about 90 minutes and check out this excellent work of gothic, brooding, introspective art before the second installment hits Netflix.

Crimson Dancers prepare for the year

PHOTOS/Skylar Britt Senior Gabby Bretz (left) and junior Neek Brown (right) hold practice for Crimson Dancer tryouts. To see the process in action, go to stylusonline.org/ and watch the video.

NEWS

Page 3 September 7, 2018

Convocation Continued from page 1 an example to express the importance of getting involved in the community.

“Cities are only as good as the people who live in them; who care about their neighbors and have a unified idea of what their community should be. Fortunately in Parkville, many of our residents are involved in activities that make it such a great place to live,” said Johnston.

Jesse Patrick, PSGA president, shared his own story about being a freshman.

He spoke about a time where he did not know anyone at the university and how he stepped out of his comfort zone, which helped him become the person he is today.

“If you feel like everyone is a stranger, I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, and if you feel like everyone is a stranger at least you now know someone; you know me,” said Patrick.

Park University President, Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., echoed the message of the

other speakers. He provided students with three pieces of advice for a successful school year.

“While your minds are expanding, there are three things I want you to get: I want you to get tough, I want you to get to know your faculty, and I want you to get involved,” said Dr. Gunderson.

Dr. Gunderson went on to talk about the hardships and transition of college life and how it is important to form bonds with peers and faculty members to lean on and learn from.

“Park has a dedicated group of educators and administrative staff who will guide you through the curriculum, help you navigate university life and perhaps give you insight to the world beyond higher education,” said Dr. Gunderson.

“We want to know you. We want to support you. And we want you to succeed.”

Convocation ended with a video of the 2017 graduating class passing on advice to new students. From support to maintaining good relationships, getting enough sleep and drinking lots of water, graduates offered guidance for the incoming class.

PHOTO/Zartasha Sani Bagpipers process during the convocation festivities on August 17.

In closing, Dr. Gunderson encouraged students to use the motivation that got them this far to help guide them throughout the rest of the semester.

“Your efforts during these first few weeks will set the tone for the months to follow. I encourage you to start this the way would finish it,” said Dr. Gunderson.

Fresh Ideas re-defines campus dining at Park University Zartasha Sani Reporter Starting this fall, Park University teamed up with Fresh Ideas food service management to provide a completely new dining experience for Park students and staff. Previously, the food service vendor for Park University was Sodexo USA. Fresh Ideas is a new approach to campus dining for several reasons: The company provides sustainable food, is health conscious and has an educational approach to what students are eating. The company’s “Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold” initiative focuses not only on where the food comes from, but how it’s grown, transported, prepared and consumed.

What adds to Fresh Ideas uniqueness is its use of technology. Students can download the FreshX app and personalize their account using a selfie. They can also add their meal plan information and enable an option to pay without a wallet or cash.

The app also shows up-to-date dining menus. It has

pre-order features as well as loyalty and rewards programs.

According to freshideas.com, the app provides a way for the company to have better personal interactions with students to create a better overall dining experience.

Fresh Ideas is based out of Columbia, Mo., and was founded in 2000. At Park University, the team will be led by Andrew Strecker, director of dining services, and Head Chef Bryce Klein.

There are several different meal plans that students can choose from. Residential students can choose from the following: The all access meal plan allows students unlimited visits to the cafeteria and includes 50 flex dollars which can be spent on snacks and coffee at the Pirate Market, Jolly Roger Café, and Savor. The cost of this plan is $1800 for the school year. The second meal plan is the 250-block meal plan which gives students 250 meal swipes at the cafeteria. It also gives students 100 flex dollars. The cost of this plan is $1500 for the school year. At the same price of $1500, students have the option of a 100-meal block plan that gives student’s 100 swipes in the cafeteria and includes150 flex dollars.

Students who are living off campus in the Altitude 970 Apartments are offered a 50-block meal plan with 25 flex dollars for $250 for the 2018-2019 school year.

Fresh Ideas also offers three different plans for commuting students which can be purchased at the cashier’s window on the bottom floor of Mackay or at the Pirate Café in the Thompson Commons. Pirate 20/20 is a meal plan that offers a 20-block meal and 20 flex dollars (which can be used at the Pirate Café, Jolly Roger Coffee shop or Savor) for $110.

The Blackbeard Plan is a 50-block meal plan with 100 flex dollars and costs $350. The Jack Sparrow plan costs $100 and includes 110 flex dollars.

To try Fresh Ideas’ new offerings at Park, head to the café located on the second floor of Thompson Commons.

Breakfast is served from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM Mon-Fri and 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday-Sunday.

Lunch is served 11:00AM to 4:00 PM Monday-Friday. Dinner is served 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM Monday-Friday and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Saturday-Sunday.

FEATURES

Page 4 September 7, 2018

Now online: KGSP 90.5 Pirate Radio Dakota Soukup Reporter

Park University’s radio station – yes, Park has a radio station – is now streaming online at kgsp.park.edu in addition to being on the airwaves at 90.5 FM. Pirate Radio’s student director is Jon Hokenson, junior multimedia journalism and PR major, and faculty adviser Kristin Shaw.

Hokenson first started working at the radio station in 2016 as a DJ. He liked it so much, so he joined the radio club and is now the president of the radio club. He said he is really excited to get more students and community members involved with listening and having students join as DJs. The biggest change this year is getting the streaming up and running online.

“Last year, we had trouble with the signal and wasn’t really able to listen to it,” said Hokenson. This year, having that online capability and stronger signal should help with getting more listeners and more involvement

with the station, he said.

Anybody who wants to get involved can join the club and become a DJ. You don’t have to be part of the communications department. All you need to do is contact Shaw or email kgsp@park.edu.

If you have a club that you want to discuss or get the news out, Hokenson said, “We’d be happy to have you on for an interview.

We just can’t raise money for it.” The radio station is a noncommercial station which means students can’t sell or raise money.

Another way to get involved is if you have or know of a band, send in their music and the club will listen to them and decide if they want to play it or not. Additionally, KGSP DJ Kalie Strain is planning to read stories on air so she is looking for submissions for October.

Pirate Radio is broadcasting 24/7 online and four days per week on air. Each student DJ plays music and provides their own style of show. To see the broadcast schedule, go to kgsp.park.edu.

PHOTOS/Dakota Soukup KGSP Pirate Radio is housed on the second floor of Copley-Thaw Hall.

Gilbert Continued from page 1 campus in Parkville, Mo., however, there will be differences.

The Gilbert Campus will not have dorms and will not own sports facilities. Similar to local high schools in Gilbert, Park University will have to rent sports facilities from the city of Gilbert. When looking at the development plan for the new campus Dr. Gunderson said, “The Gilbert campus has a four-year plan instead of five-year plan.”

This plan consists of having roughly 800 students enrolled in classes, joining the NAIA, and increasing on campus activity.

As of now, the Gilbert campus has one building; however, the administration would like to continue its growth. Dr. Gunderson said he believes that in 10 years the campus will be able to increase in size.

Prospective students can apply to attend Park University’s new campus in Gilbert at www.park.edu/admissions.

FEATURES

Page 5 September 7, 2018

Chasing dreams across the pond

Park alumnus embarks on year of study at Oxford Abby Jeans Editor

“I was applying for medical school and Oxford, and searchers and labs at a top ranked university, so I have I knew if I got in to both I would choose Oxford,” said no complaints,” said Zitter.

Zitter. “It was a desperation shot in case I didn’t get in to According to Times Higher Education, the University of Oxford is the What’s life after college like? For some it’s land- medical school but also a wildest highest-ranking univering that nine-to-five job, for others it’s about returning dream.”

After completing his applicasity in the world. It is the By having professors who would write home and taking some time to breathe after the years of oldest English-speakstudying. For one Park University graduate it’s about tion, submitting three letters of me letters, by the research I did, and recommendation and a two-page ing university and the taking a risk and chasing your dreams. through the opportunities I had (at second oldest survivRyan Zitter, 22, graduated from Park University in essay, he finally got the email that ing university. Oxford May 2018 with a major in biology and minors in chem- would change the course of his Park), that is what made this possible. has more than 250,000 istry and Spanish. Furthering his education after Park year.

Ryan Zitter, ‘18 graduate alumni, 120 of them be“It was the end of the window was always the plan, but being accepted to his dream ing Olympic medalists, school in London, England, has brought his dream to for when I was supposed to hear back from them, actually, the day 26 Nobel Prize winners, reality. before the selection process was clos- seven poets laureates and many modern world leaders. ing when I received an email asking for Perhaps the success of these students come from the an interview,” said Zitter. “They had university’s incredible resources. Oxford has more than lost my paperwork so I almost wasn’t 100 libraries, which is the largest library system in the even considered.”

United Kingdom.

Paperwork has been a continual While education is Zitter’s top priority for his jourbattle for Zitter, causing a lot of stress ney to England, he has many other exciting plans in his and doubt that this journey could fall future. through.

“I’m excited because I’ll be in my first apartment,” “It seems like there have been a lot said Zitter. “Graduate housing had filled up, but the of checkpoints. If anything goes wrong campus is spread across the city so I’ll be close to everyI’m not going,” said Zitter. “I finally thing. I also plan to do some traveling and join a soccer got my visa, I nailed down my apart- league.” ment, but housing was an issue for a Zitter also looks forward to visiting Park alumnus while. Financial declarations was an is- Derek Braun who will be attending the University of sue for a while. This has been the most Sussex, just a two hour train ride from High Street, nerve wracking part of the process.” where Zitter will be staying.

With the hard part behind him and a While he is sad to leave Park, Zitter is excited about final Skype interview, Zitter is official- this next chapter in his life. ly a student of the University of OxHe will leave for London on September 22, where he ford. While Zitter had patiently waited will study for nine months and then return to the Unitmonths to hear back from local medi- ed States to attend medical school at the University of cal schools, it was a matter of days for Kansas Medical School. Since classes at Oxford resume things to unfold with his dream school. later in the year, Zitter will have to return to London Zitter will be working toward his to complete final exams next September after already master’s degree by studying radiation starting at the University of Kansas Medical School. biology in the department of oncology.

As his dreams become reality, he thanks Park UniThis program relates to the research versity for this opportunity. on algae and Martian radiation he was “Park is the reason I am able to do this,” said Zitter. doing in his undergraduate at Park “By having professors who would write me letters, by PHOTO/Abby Jeans University. He will apply this research the research I did, and through the opportunities I had during his time at Oxford. through other programs, that is what made this possiRyan Zitter at Parkville Coffee, fall 2018.

“I will be joining some of the best re- ble.”

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 6 September 7, 2018

SEPTEMBER International Pirate Day

Crazy Hat Day

Homecoming Week!

Last day to withdraw from F1 classes with grade of “W”

Women’s Soccer (JV) vs. Ottawa University @ Julian Field, 3-5 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Golf Tournament Day 1 @ Rivercut Golf Course

Twin Day

September 11th reading of names @ Thompson, 8:45 a.m.

PSGA: Engaging MO Politics @ Alumni Theater, 5:30 p.m.

International Talk like a Pirate Day

Tropical Pirate Day

Park Pride Day

PSAB Luau @ Julian Field Lot, 7:30 p.m.

Club Olympics @ Chapel Lawn, 2 p.m.

Homecoming Royalty Crowning Homecoming Dance @ PDL, 8 p.m.

Plaza Art Fair Trip, 5:30-9 p.m.

Men’s/ Women’s Soccer vs. Harris Stowe St @Julian Field, 5p.m./7p.m.

Student Veteran Google Hangouts on Air, hosted by Career Development

ICM Concert: Vladimir Viardo @ the Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Men’s/ Women’s Cross Country @ Doane Invitational, 9 a.m.

Women’s Soccer @ Stephens College, 7 p.m.

PSAB: Park’s Got Talent @ Alumni Theater, 7 p.m.

ICM Orchestra @ the Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Soccer @ Central Baptist, 1p.m./3p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Golf Tournament Day 2 @ Rivercut Golf Course

Yoga on the Chapel Lawn, 4:45 p.m.

20 18

Liberty Corn Maze Trip

Documentary: Two Trains Runnin’ @ RHC Grocery Bingo @ Copley Alumni Theater, Quad, 9 p.m.

6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 11

Wednesday, Sept. 26

Join the office of international education for the study abroad fair.

Tuesday, Sept. 11 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

First floor of Thompson Commons Graduate assistant Amy Titmas said the fair is meant to help students learn about their options. “We have 35 different countries and 75 different institutions that we can currently send students to,” she said..

The annual Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Lecture Series will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Lenexa City Hall auditorium. The featured speaker, Reggie Robinson, J.D., will focus on the decline of arguing civilly in the presentation “Walls, Bridges and the Power of Empathy: Leading Effectively Within a Deeply Fragmented Society.” Robinson is the vice chancellor of public affairs at the University of Kansas. Register to attend at park.edu/hauptmann2018.

Study Abroad Fair

Hauptmann Lecture Series

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 7 September 7, 2018

Welcome aboard! Park adds a dozen new faculty members

Zartasha Sani Reporter

Park University welcomed 12 new faculty members for the 2018-19 academic year. Some are featured here while the others will appear in the next issue. Read on to learn more about these new professors and instructors. Photos by Zartasha Sani.

Suzanne Tiemann, Ph.D. Associate professor and director of undergraduate programs in education

Abhijit Mazumdar, Ph.D. Assistant professor of journalism

Bachelor’s of elementary education from Texas A&M University Master’s and doctorate in educational leadership and cultural studies from the University of Houston Raised in Texas; lived and worked in Quebec and Delaware Tiemann enjoys running with her Goldendoodle at English Landing Park.

She also enjoys boating, golfing with her family and yoga.

She is looking forward to getting to know faculty members and students at Park University and graduation day, because it is a happy day for everyone.

Background: master of science in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ph.D. in communication from University of Tennessee Has worked with United News of India, Hindustan Times, Times of India and Outlook Visiting scholar to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill From Lucknow, India Mazumdar can speak English, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali He loves to read about politics, biography and historical accounts. His favorite type of music is from the 1980s.

Mazumdar is looking forward to teaching innovative minds at Park. He hopes to help Park University recruit students from South Asia and get a few research papers published this academic year.

Ricki Mora Assistant professor and assistant director of field education

Joshua Mugg, Ph.D. Assistant professor of philosophy

Background: bachelor’s degree in social work from Park University Master of science in social work from UMKC Licensed since 2017 Certified in play therapy and EMDR From Kearney, Missouri Moran enjoys reading, hiking, biking and spending time with family and friends.

She loves to go geocaching and explore the outdoors.

She and her husband are foster parents and also have one biological child.

Moran is looking to getting involved in the Park University community and getting to know faculty members.

Background: bachelor’s degrees in religion and history from Missouri Baptist University Master’s degree and Ph.D. in philosophy from York University Grew up in St. Louis and has spent six years in Toronto and the last three years teaching at the Indiana University-Kokomo Mugg enjoys talking about philosophy and exploring topics like free will, the existence of God and religion. He is interested in how humans approach reasoning and, “how much evidence is necessary for rational belief and faith.”

He also enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, renovating his house and brewing beer. He brews everything from IPAs to stouts to sours.

Mugg is looking forward to exploring life’s big questions with students, faculty and staff. Philosophy is not only a profession for him, but also a way of life. He quotes Socrates: “the unexamined life is not worth living.”

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 8 September 7, 2018

Student Activities fair

Students sign up for different types of extracurricular activities at the student activities fair.

Zainab Abdulsalam, freshman chemistry major, helps a student sign up for the Park International club.

Park University promotes “Crew� merchandise. Crew is an app that connects students to groups and organizations online regardless of their campus.

Cami Cochran, freshman communication studies major, promotes the communication department clubs at the student activities fair.

PHOTOS/Zartasha Sani