The Art of Building a Legacy

An artist builds a legacy by investing in their craft over a lifetime. A philanthropic legacy is built in the same way: through faithful investment in work that will have a lasting influence.

Greg Byard, MPA ’97, is building a legacy of giving to Park University. Byard is the second of three generations of Park graduates. His father, Lt. Col. Raymond Byard, ’76, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in management while serving as a career officer in the U.S. Army. His daughter, Courtney, graduated from Park in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/management.

Byard began his undergraduate education at Park while serving in the U.S. Air Force. While he did not complete his bachelor’s degree at Park, Byard returned after retiring from the military in 1995 to earn a Master of Public Affairs (now Administration) degree. Nominated by the late Jerzy Hauptmann, Ph.D., professor emeritus of political science and public administration, Byard served as a presidential management intern (now fellow) after graduation. The prestigious program prepares graduate degree holders for public service careers in the federal government.

“My education at Park was instrumental in launching my federal service career,” Byard said. “It opened the doors that allowed me to advance through several positions with the Department of Defense.”

Byard realized he could provide similar opportunities for future students while simultaneously honoring the past by funding a scholarship in his father’s memory. Lieutenant Colonel Raymond James Byard, USA, Retired, Scholarship became the first of several scholarships that Byard has established and supported at Park University.

“I give to scholarships because they benefit students directly,” Byard said. “I’ve received letters from the recipients describing how it made a difference.”

Byard demonstrates that it’s never too early to start building a legacy of giving. He established his first scholarship more than a decade before he retired in 2021 after 26 years of government service.

By investing in education, Byard is creating a legacy that extends beyond his family.

“In my career, I often hired students right out of college,” he says. “I always told them, that the degree you earn will have an impact on everybody.”