The Stylus- Volume 126, Issue 5

s u l y t S e h T

2021-22

A student publication of Park University since 1895

Volume 126

ISSUE

#5

Visit stylusonline.org for online news and student blogs FB: ParkUniversityStylus stylus@park.edu October 1, 2021

Homecoming returns with week of celebration Skyler Jensen community was told to dress Editor-in-Chief for success. On Thursday, peo-

The annual tradition of homecoming week is back, after it was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

Homecoming for the Pirates kicked off on Sept. 20 as Park Student Activities Board members started to take down nominations for Homecoming Court.

The last day to place nominations was Sept. 22. On this day, PSAB also provided the first 100 students with free ice cream from Melt Box Ice Cream truck.

To start homecoming week on Monday, Sept. 27, PSAB set up a table for Homecoming Court voting. Votes were collected for three days. On Wednesday, Sept. 29, PSAB also scheduled to provide Lilo’s Shaved Ice but it was canceled.

Throughout the entire week, the department of student life created dress up days for the Park community to show off their spirit. On Monday, everyone was encouraged to wear pajamas all day. Tuesday was twin day, and on Wednesday the

In This Issue: Entertainment......2 Campus Life..... 4-6 Features...........3, 8 Sports...................7

ple were encouraged to dress like their favorite character.

Lastly, on Friday, the Pirates were asked to wear their Park gear to celebrate homecoming week.

Many activities were also put on to celebrate Park Homecoming.

On Monday, Sept. 27, there was flag football put on by Student Engagement and Pirate Fitness.

On Thursday, Sept. 30, the Residence Hall Council and Pirate Fitness hosted sand volleyball for students to come and compete for prizes.

PHOTO/Skyler Jensen On Friday, Oct. 1, womPSAB gave the first 100 students to make Homecoming nominations free ice cream. en’s volleyball played against en’s and men’s soccer are scheduled to for the week. It features food trucks, rafBaker University. A pep rally is play games against Mount Mercy Univer- fles, a merch table, carnival games and scheduled for later that night.

The last day of Park homecoming is sity at home. Park Fest, Park University’s music for students to enjoy.

Saturday, Oct. 2. On this day, both wom- homecoming festival, will end the actives

“Better than normal” is at least better than last year Victoria Olaleye Editor

Park University is back at full capacity.

That means dorm residents are living with roommates again. Classrooms are full. And parking spaces may be harder to come by.

While policies related to COVID-19 have changed compared to last academic year, there are still rules and guidelines in

place. But Interim President Shane Smeed characterized this year as “better than normal” in an email over the summer.

Junior criminal justice and human resource management major Manika Karki said going back to normal is not a quick change, but everyone is learning to adjust to the continuous changes in how things are done.

Speaking on the topic of the new nor-

mal, J-Aller Jackson, a junior majoring in business administration, said communicating is tough. With the use of face masks, it can be hard to tell who you’re talking to and see facial expressions.

Some of the noticeable changes are the dorms returning to full capacity, face-toface events resuming, the use of nano sprayers in

See Student opinions on page 4

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 2 October 1, 2021

Kansas City celebrates Kenny Broberg

Pianist stuns in elegant and meaningful performance

Yi Li Reporter

The Park University International Center for Music and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra celebrated Kenny Broberg with a concert on Sept. 14.

Broberg, a graduate student studying music at Park University, was featured because he won the 2021 American Pianists Awards in Indianapolis. The concert was called “Kansas City Celebrates Kenny Broberg” and was hosted in Helzberg Hall, located in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

It was one of the most elegant and meaningful artistic performances I have ever seen as a student. I have tried to use all the words in my head to describe the magnificence of the concert, but once I compare it to it, the words lose all their luster and remain pale.

The light was dimmed, the stage was filled with expectant eyes, there was silence and the hazy sound of voices tinkled. The first piano solo Broberg played was the pinnacle of Beethoven’s piano sonatas from 1798 to early 1799, “Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 Pathetique.”

I think the theme of “Pathetique” is like a patient who has been notified of an incurable terminal illness. The begin-

ning of the first movement is like a bolt out of the blue, as if the patient cannot accept this diagnosis. After the emotional response, the patient enters the second movement – acceptance. He recalls the memorable years he has spent, although sadness lingers in his heart. In the third movement, the patient feels that he cannot live only in memories, and rushes to a new life, allowing himself to spend the rest of the few years fulfilling every day, leaving the world in peace, and the whole song ends.

Next, Broberg showed us two wellknown piano works in the Fairy Tales series created by Medtner. Among them, “Allegro con espresso, Op.20 No.1” has a more repetitive melody. Even so, Broberg had different expressions in his emotion.

Through these repetitions, the music can move. It is an indispensable part of the music. Broberg is truly clear about his position in the music and the emotional connotation he expresses.

After that, Broberg presented us with another series by Medtner – Forgotten Melodies – namely “Primavera, Op. 39 No.3” and “Danza Festiva, Op. 38 No.3.”

Finally, he chose Liszt’s “Après une

lecture du Dante Fantasia Quasi” as the ending song of the first half. The ending of this song is played with both hands in the high range.

The tremolo of the right hand is like a starry sky, and the left hand reproduces the warm and bright melody that was presented before, like a reappearance of heaven. After that, it reached the peak of the whole song’s emotions, and the music showed unprecedented splendor. The whole song ended in a magnificent sound, declaring that darkness will eventually be illuminated by the light.

After a half hour intermission, the stage layout was no longer a single grand piano, but an entire orchestra. We then enjoyed the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra’s “Overture to Egmont” that was powerful and magnificent.

Finally, Broberg returned to the stage and played the last song, “Concerto for Piano in E minor, Op.11” with the orchestra. This is a hymn of spring: pure, transparent, warm, and prosperous. It is about life, freedom, and love for life.

From chapter one to chapter three I smiled, but tears filled my eyes because I felt the greatness of nature and the beau-

ty of life. The orchestra and the piano were completely integrated, one after another, and together they outlined a huge picture. Praise Chopin, praise Broberg and praise the whole orchestra; they bring the classics to us.

For nearly two hours, the performers showed no sense of exhaustion, as if they were immersed in the music.

After listening to this concert, I found myself increasingly fond of musical instruments. Although it is not as avant-garde and hot as pop music, its high pitch, its euphemism and its rhythm all reflect the long history and civilization of this musical country.

Music has a grand appeal that I had never thought before. It is a kind of learning and a kind of communication of the heart. After getting used to the sound of pop music, I learned to listen to and appreciate elegant music, which is undoubtedly a big enjoyment. In the busy and tense study life, we really should find some time to listen to music, appreciate art and enrich ourselves.

Staff List Editor-in-chief Skyler Jensen

Editors

MacKenzie Coder Natalya Nalivaiko Victoria Olaleye Savanna Wyatt

Reporters

Yi Li Dayana Jules PHOTO/Yi Li Kenny Broberg and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra on stage in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts.

Adviser

Kristin Shaw

FEATURES

Page 3 October 1, 2021

Award in hand, Broberg ready to get back to normal Savanna Wyatt Editor “Music has gotten me through the most difficult times in my life,” said Park University graduate student Kenny Broberg. “It’s the one thing that I can always count on.”

Broberg, 28, is studying music at Park University’s International Center of Music. Park University’s ICM program trains classical music students. The instructors choose promising students from auditions to join the program. They train students from all over the world, making ICM a prominent program at Park University.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he first started playing piano at the age of six, after listening to different kinds of music. He would listen to recordings of piano and orchestral pieces, which inspired him to start learning how to play the piano.

He then started taking lessons under the direction of pianist Joseph Zins, DMA. Broberg studied with Zins until he went to college at the University of Houston and studied in the Moores School of Music. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music in 2016 under the instruction of Nancy Weems at the University of Houston.

He continued his education at Park University by earning a master’s in piano performance and an artist’s diploma.

“My association with Park is very good,” said Broberg. “I’m not really in any hurry to move on from it.”

At Park, Broberg has trained with instructor and ICM Artistic Director Stanislav Ioudenitch. He also likes being able to practice whenever he wants, on his own terms. He cited Park University as being very supportive of his career, which has helped him a lot. In fact, he felt a lot of support at his concert in September.

One of his biggest performances of the year was at the Kauffman Center for

PHOTO CREDIT/Jeremy Enlow the Performing Arts on Sept. 14. He performed with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra in the “KC Celebrates Kenny Broberg” concert.

He played popular works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Nikolai Medtner and Frantz Liszt for solo pieces. The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra joined Broberg to end with Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11.

Park University offered free tickets for students who wanted to attend the concert and show support for Broberg. This was his first concert since he won the 2021 American Pianists Award, an impressive feat for any musician.

The American Pianists Awards is a competition held every two years to find and highlight talented pianists. The competition takes place over 13 months. As the winner, Broberg receives a monetary prize and career support including an artist-in-residence position at the University of Indianapolis and recording contract with Steinway and Sons.

This award is just the latest of his numerous accolades. Some of those include the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition Bronze Medal and the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Silver Medal. However, he tries not to think of his goals and successes too much.

Broberg said, “I’ve kind of made it this far without too many goals.”

He does not dwell on winning competitions or reaching certain milestones.

Focusing too much on these aspects can negatively affect his mental health. With the competition over, he is now focused on his tour, taking place this year.

Broberg will travel around the United States in his first big tour since the COVID-19 pandemic began. He will perform in Texas, New York, California, Indiana and more.

“It’ll just be good to kind of get back to what was my normal life before the pandemic,” said Broberg.

In addition to touring, he will start his occupancy at the University of Indianap-

olis as part of his prize from the competition. He will teach and perform piano for the students as his first college teaching position.

Broberg is an avid sports fan. Being from Minnesota, he loves hockey and also enjoys baseball. He played both in high school, but always knew that piano was his passion.

“I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember to the point where that’s such a huge part of my personality and, you know, my identity,” said Broberg.

Music is something he has always loved and taken seriously. It taught him how to hone his concentration and discipline skills as piano performance requires consistent practice. It takes a lot of hard work and training to become an accomplished pianist, but it is worth it as it means so much to him.

Broberg’s next tour performance will be on Oct. 3 in Indianapolis at Indiana Landmarks.

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 4 October 1, 2021

Student opinions: On-campus life is better than virtual Continued from page 1 classrooms, allowing guests in the dorms and others.

In the past year, guests were not allowed in the residential halls.

“I think now the policies are a little bit less strict which is good,” said Bayan Salam, a senior majoring in criminal justice and psychology.

Salam mentioned how last year’s guest policy was difficult. Students couldn’t hang out with other students or study with them in the dorms if they were not residential students.

This year, that has changed with newer policies. Students can now have guests in the dorms, but guests have to sign in at the front desk and abide with the rules of their visitation. Salam thinks it makes students feel better especially with having other Park students visit the dorms.

“We also have more students, less social distancing, with masks of course, and

PHOTO/Victoria Olaleye Manika Karki is a junior majoring in criminal justice and human resource management.

I think that’s good because you can see “I want people to come, but I also more people than you used to be able to want them to be safe,” she said. see,” Salam said.

Salam said as students keep showing Alex Hale, a senior criminal justice up to their events, it would change the major, said it’s good to be back in the organization’s strategies for upcoming dorms and away from home to avoid dis- events. With events happening on camtractions. pus, Salam said, “I do think it’s very busy, Being a senior, Hale said he has mixed which is a good thing, so I think it’s betfeelings about returning to school. On ter. I feel better when it’s busy than when one hand, he’s excited to see friends and it’s not, like how it was last year.” professors he hasn’t seen in a while. On Jackson said he’s excited to watch Park the other hand, he’s not too excited for athletics and see everyone cheer for the classes and to have missed some time teams. He hopes the campus won’t be away from school. shut down again.

Returning as a “You are getting to residential assistant get that real college I feel like I was not so gratein Copley Quad, experience,” Jackson Karki was excited to said about events reful at that time. I feel like meet her residents suming at full capacwe should take this opporand hang out with ity. other RAs. Karki, This is the same tunity as a chance to value who loves socializfor Manoj Khatiwathe bonds and everything, ing with her peers, da, a senior majorso I feel like I’m being more said she feels more ing in business manconnected to peoagement, who said connected after this COVID ple now that Park is college is more than pandemic happened. back on campus fullgoing to classes, it time.

Manika Karki is an experience. He The announcenot get this full Junior criminal justice and did ment to resume to experience when the human resources major school had to shut full capacity initially scared Karki, since down in 2020. KhatiCOVID is still an iswada looked forward sue with uncertainto being involved in ties surrounding it. However, she is excit- clubs and organizations when he heard ed for events to take place on campus as the school was resuming to full capacity. she couldn’t attend many of events in the Another change is that many Parkville last year. classes are back to meeting in person Events on campus are returning to instead of being conducted online or face-to-face. Since school resumed, there through Zoom. Students and faculty have been athletic events and other activ- do have to wear face masks in the classities by clubs and organizations to keep room, but class sizes have also returned to students engaged. pre-pandemic levels. Every classroom has As president of Park Student Activities a nano sprayer that is used to disinfect the Board, Salam noticed an increase in the class after every session. number of students showing up to events.

According to Karki, who is an interShe also noted the difficulties that come national student, one impact of COVID with hosting more students, and how it was the ability to take in-person courses can be challenging to control the crowd online instead during the last year. This and enforce COVID policies. was a helpful change for international

PHOTO/Victoria Olaleye Manoj Khatiwada is a senior majoring in business management. students who couldn’t take online classes before the pandemic.

Karki said she has noticed fewer people in her classes this semester as people might be taking online classes because it is still an option.

Khatiwada, who is only taking online classes this semester, said virtual learning was a difficult transition during the pandemic, but fortunately he has become familiar with the online setup and it is more interactive.

Khatiwada said he’s not missing the faculty-student relationship because he is involved on campus as a student worker and attends events on campus. He’s able to see his professors and see the new school of business building. Khatiwada, who’s also the president of Rotaract Club, says it is easier to reach out to students about the club this year.

For many students, “better than normal” is a better way to do school compared to last year with limited options.

Events like homecoming and international week, among others, are in plans for the semester.

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 5 October 1, 2021

Park community participates in vaccination clinic

Glen Woody, Park University maintenance staff, flexes his biceps to show off his superman bandage.

Pedro Santana holds on tightly to his vaccination card as nurse Tina Wilson administers his vaccination.

Left: Music major Diyorbek Nortojiev watches as nurse Tina Wilson administers the COVID-19 shot on his right arm.

PHOTOS/Dayana Jules Freshman chemistry major Camila Martinho waves at the camera as nurse Tina Wilson looks over her information at the McCoy Meetin’ House on Sept. 2.

Right: Each COVID-19 vial contains 6 dosages. The vaccine does not contain the live virus.

Left: North Kansas City Hospital nurse Tina Wilson holding a COVID-19 vial.

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 6 October 1, 2021

Park dorms are putting on a “show” for prospective students Yi Li Reporter There’s one change on campus that might not catch the notice of current students – two new dorm showrooms for prospective students to visit during campus tours.

According to Sherrie Sims, Parkville daytime admissions coordinator, these showrooms were created to give family and students an idea of what the dorms look like.

The showrooms, located in Copley Quad 116 and Chestnut Hall 208, are currently unavailable as a living space for students.

“Previously, during the academic year we would (work) with a student ambassador and use their room as a showroom,” Sims said. “We would let that student know in advance when there would be a tour, and they could choose to leave or remain in that room at their own discretion.”

However, all of those in-person visits were suspended in the 2020-21 school year due to COVID-19.

When visits began again over the summer, Andrew Davis, director of enrollment and student success, brought up the idea of using showrooms. The admissions team contacted Tonya Robbins, director of residence life, to discuss the possibility of using one room from each residence hall building to demonstrate the importance of rooms for the traditional first year living experience at Park University. Copley Quad is located on the tour route, and Sims explained that if visitors have a special request, they display the room in Chesnut Hall.

Sims who enjoys decorating, designed the rooms with an interior designer’s heart.

She said she feels like the design could be improved because she got rushed and had a short amount of time to finish them.

“Once I found the bedding then I can just go from there, pick up color then try to get everything else pull out together,” Sims said.

The work appears to be paying off though.

Sims said, “We got positive feedback about how they look.”

PHOTOS/Yi Li Above: The showroom in Chestnut Hall displays desk placement options to potential students.

Left: Potential students are also able to see the dorms twin size beds in the Chestnut Hall showroom.

Talk Like a Pirate Day: raising money for Della Lamb

Skyler Jensen Editor-in-chief

On Sept. 20, Park University organizations celebrated National Talk Like a Pirate Day by helping out those less fortunate. They collected donations for Della Lamb. This Kansas City organization helps refugees adjust to living in America. With everything going on in the world, The department of Student Life decided this organization needed more help. They matched the donations raised at the booth and online and in total $400 was donated to Della Lamb.

PHOTOS/Skyler Jensen Left to right: Tiana Keys, graduate assistant for student engagement, Allison Anderson, graduate assistant for Pirate Fitness, Mya Lawrence, director of student engagement, Simon Sharber, freshman math major hand out popcorn and eye patches were with Della Lamb flyers.

SPORTS

Page 7 October 1, 2021

Park’s men’s and women’s soccer teams kick off their seasons Natalya Nalivaiko Editor Men’s soccer began the season with a 3-0 home field win against Ottawa University on Sept. 11.

Senior forward Mohamed Ndaliro came out with the first goal of the game, with a perfect set up by senior midfielder Rama Emeka Aniakor. The two scored again, leaving it 2-0 before half time. In the second half, senior midfielder Daniel Araya scored the final goal of the game.

The Pirates came out a few days later to collect a win over No. 1 ranked Missouri Valley College, pulling out a victory, 2-1, in overtime.

The next two games were not in favor of the Pirates. The men’s team tied with Clark University in double overtime, and later on that week, had a loss of 3-0 against MidAmerica Nazarene University. However, Park then had a victory over Graceland University in double overtime for a 2-1 win.

The men’s team stands at 3-1-1 for the season, but Park’s women’s soccer has had a tougher time.

The Pirate’s first game of the season,

against William Woods University, was canceled. They played their second game against University of St. Mary, yet tied 1-1 in double overtime. Next came another canceled game, this time against Ottawa University.

Finally, on Sept. 14, the Pirates were able to continue their season with a match up against Missouri Valley College. However, the Vikings beat the Pirates, 4-1.

The next three games for the Pirates were not successful either. Clarke University won 3-0, MidAmerica Nazarene took the win 2-1, and Graceland University won 2-1 in double overtime against Park, leaving the Pirates with a record of 0-4-1 for the season.

Park’s women’s soccer hopes to turn things around on Julian Field.

For the upcoming Homecoming weekend, the women’s team will face Mount Mercy University on Saturday.

Oct. 2 at noon.

Park’s men’s soccer will play after, also facing Mount Mercy, at 2:30 p.m.

The two teams hope to bring home two victories for the Homecoming weekend at Park.

PHOTO COURTESY/ Dale Grosbach Senior forward Mohammed Ndaliro is in a mid-run down Julian Field in a match against Ottawa University on Sept. 11.

PHOTO COURTESY/Dale Grosbach Nada Meawad attacks out of the back row against University of Saint Mary in Breckon Sports Center on Aug. 27.

Women’s volleyball takes 8th straight sweep against Grand View University Natalya Nalivaiko Editor The No. 6-ranked Park University women’s volleyball team beat No. 24-ranked Grand View University in a three-game sweep on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The women’s team traveled to Grand View’s home gym in Des Moines, Iowa, and dominated the game at their opponents’ home court. The game scores were 25-22, 25-16 and 25-20, all in favor of Park.

A few players took charge in this game, leading to the Pirate’s win. Senior opposite hitter Noura Meawad led the team in kills at 17 while senior outside hitter Nada Meawad followed with 12 kills and 22 digs in the game.

As for assists for the night, senior libero Rebekah Rothacher had seven assists for the game and freshman setter Vera Beltrame, who was a Heart of America

player of the week recently, led the team with 32 assists.

On the defensive side of the game, freshman middle blocker Debora Bernardi had the most blocks of the game with five and dominated with eight kills, while Noura Meawad had two solo blocks. In the back row, sophomore libero Giovanna Bello had 15 digs in the game, setting a new personal season high.

Park women’s volleyball has seen a lot of success this season. Following the win over Grand View, the team beat No. 12-ranked Central Methodist University at home, 3-1. That extended their win streak to 10. The team record stands at 13-2 on the season and 6-0 in the Heart of America conference.

For the Homecoming events this weekend, the Pirates will play on Friday, Oct. 1 against Baker University in Breckon Sports Center at 5 p.m.

FEATURES

Page 8 October 1, 2021

ISI KC hosts welcome picnic for international students Yi Li Reporter International Students, Inc. Kansas City is an organization that supports international students who attend schools in the metro area. The purpose of this organization is to make university students who come from abroad feel welcome by hosting social events like picnics and helpful services grocery store trips.

This year, ISI hosted its annual welcome picnic for the international students at Graceway Church instead of the usual location on the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s quad. Because of the larger venue, about 42 volunteers plus children from the church were able to help run the event.

The picnic featured foods, desserts and fruits from various countries for everyone to enjoy. There were also a variety of outdoor games such as cornhole, ladder toss, 9 Square in

the Air and volleyball that students and volunteers could play in between meals on the lawn.

The most important event at the picnic was the national parade. In this parade, the international students ran through a line of American volunteers, high-fiving and applauding them as their country’s names were called out.

In total, there are 68 international students and scholars, along with their spouses and families, visiting from 17 countries. The students who attended the picnic go to five different schools in the Kansas City area, including Park University. Everybody at the picnic was excited to experience and learn more about Kansas City.

“After so long, it was great to get together in person,” said City Director of ISI Kansas City, Carol Douglass.

“We are so glad you are here international students and scholars! We love you!”

PHOTOS/ Yi Li Left: After eating, students competed in yard games such as 9 Square in the Air, cornhole, ladder toss and volleyball.

Top: Park students enjoy their meals, including fruits and desserts from around the globe, while mingling with other international students and volunteers.

Bottom: International students from India walk through the national parade as volunteers cheer them on.