Park University celebrated its 150th anniversary on May 12, its actual Founders Day, with an event that highlighted its century and a half of commitment to education.
The university’s motto is ‘fides et labor’ which is Latin for faith and work. Many students, teachers and community members attended the anniversary celebration to express thanks for the many decades the school has stood as a beacon of academic excellence, grounded in the enduring values of accountability, civility and respect, excellence, global citizenship, inclusivity and integrity.
The university was founded by George S. Park, John A. McAfee and Rev. Elisha B. Sherwood. Park College for Training Christian Workers began classes on May 12, 1875, with 17 students, including one student who served in the Civil War. 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 achieved university status and currently serves more than 5,700 students at 21 campuses in 15 states and online, including campuses in Parkville and Independence, Mo.; Gilbert, Ariz.; Barstow, Calif.; Columbus, Ohio; Austin and El Paso, Texas; and at 14 military installations across the country.
The school’s name was shortened to Park College in 1879. Four students graduated that year – three women and one man. Even in its first year, Park University enrolled women students as well as men, which was very unusual during this time in history. In 2000, Park College became Park University.
Serving an ethnically diverse student population and non-traditional adult learners has for many years, been central to Park’s educational mission. It is consistently ranked among the top least expensive private schools in the country, which has resulted in increasing diversity among the student population.
Park has more than 500 international students from 70 countries, and a 60% student representation from racial, ethnic and cultural groups typically underrepresented in colleges and universities.
Park University also has been recognized as one of the largest providers of online undergraduate education to military learners worldwide and has received international recognition by various military-related publications as a top military friendly college/university.
Extracurricular activities and championship-caliber athletic programs (NAIA) complement Park’s outstanding scholastic programs at its Parkville and Gilbert campuses.
Park’s Director of Communications and Public Relations, Brad Biles, said he was honored to invite community members to the anniversary celebration to commemorate this historic milestone and look ahead to a future inspired by purpose and progress.
The event’s attendees were shown an historic video, ‘150 Years of Park University: Rooted in History, Reaching for Tomorrow’ that was produced by Damian Gonzalez, Park University digital storytelling coordinator.
Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., Park University interim president; Dean Katerndahl, Ph.D., Parkville mayor; and Ed Linnebur, Parkville Area Chamber and Economic Development Council executive director spoke at the event.
“As a resident of Parkville, I know how much pride our city takes in this institution,” Swanson said. “One of the greatest sources of that pride is Park’s tenacity. Our 150-year history is rich and, at times, tumultuous — but the through-line has always been a steadfast commitment to our founding principle: that education should be accessible to anyone willing to work hard to attain it, and that everyone deserves the transformative power of that education.”
Missouri State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (R-District 34) provided the University with two framed Missouri Senate resolutions. “One saluted the faculty, staff, administration and students of Park University on the illustrious occasion of its 150th anniversary of academic excellence,” Biles said. “The second congratulated Park Interim President Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., for serving as interim president with its best wishes for her success.” Wyatt Fletcher, district director for Luetkemeyer’s office, represented Luetkemeyer at the event and presented the resolutions to Swanson.
Andrew Shoffner, Ph.D., Park University vice president for strategic initiatives said, “Today, we honor a century and a half of academic excellence and the countless lives that have been changed forever by their experiences at Park University. This milestone affords us an opportunity to reflect on the enduring spirit of a lifetime of learning that defines our university.”
The event culminated with a cake-cutting ceremony with Swanson; Terry Calaway, Ed.D., Park University Board of Trustees chair; and Emily Sallee, Ph.D., Park University acting provost.
“From the beginning, Park has been open in spirit and global in reach,” Swanson said. “Park has been coeducational since its founding, and we’ve welcomed international students since the 1880s, drawn by Park’s global missionary reputation. And under President William Lindsay Young, who insisted on welcoming Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) students during World War II, Park earned national recognition for its courage and moral clarity. There is much to celebrate when you turn 150 years old. Today, we celebrate a legacy that lives on through our online programs, our campuses across the country and our enduring ties to the City of Parkville.”