Crow's Nest Daily - July 8th, 2024 Edition
Park University has announced significant changes to its Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2025. The new members, Brian Mertz, Lewis Nerman, Sam Stahnke, and Levi Young, M.D., have been elected to serve three-year terms on the board.
In addition to the new additions, Scott Jackman has been elected as the new chair of the Board of Trustees for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Jackman is the president of the U.S. division and vice president of sales and marketing for Deveron, an agriculture technology company. He replaces Terry Calaway, Ed.D., whose term as chair expired, though Calaway continues to serve on the board as immediate past chair.
The two members who joined earlier, David Croom and Michael Dannenberg, were appointed by the Mayor and bring extensive experience in education and civic leadership to guide policy and support student success. They were welcomed in June 2025, a bit earlier than the July 1 board additions.
The new members bring a diverse range of expertise to the board. Brian Mertz is an accomplished businessman with a strong background in finance, Lewis Nerman is a seasoned lawyer, Sam Stahnke is a renowned entrepreneur, and Levi Young, M.D., is a respected medical professional.
Scott Jackman, the new chair, brings a wealth of experience in business and technology to his role. His leadership is expected to be instrumental in shaping Park University's future. Terry Calaway, the immediate past chair, will continue to contribute to the board's decisions with his wealth of knowledge and experience.
The addition of David Croom and Michael Dannenberg, both appointed by the Mayor, brings valuable insights from the education and civic sectors to the board. Their expertise is expected to support student success and guide policy decisions.
These changes reflect the ongoing commitment of Park University to bring diverse and experienced leadership to its Board of Trustees, ensuring the university continues to thrive and grow.
In other news, Anthony Rex Gabbert, J.D., adjunct instructor of criminal justice administration and management, was elected as chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals' Western District, effective July 1. Martha Linscott, Park University's Parkville (Mo.) Campus men's and women's golf head coach, has qualified to compete in the 2024 U.S. Senior Women's Open. Ilya Shmukler, a graduate piano student in Park University's International Center for Music, won the first prize in the 2024 Concours Geza Anda Piano Competition in Zurich, Switzerland.
Upcoming events at Park University include the Barstow (Calif.) Community College Campus Commencement Ceremony on July 18, the El Paso (Texas) Campus / Fort Bliss (Texas) Campus / Holloman Air Force Base (N.M.) Campus Commencement Ceremony on August 3, Parkville (Mo.) Campus Move-In Day for Residential Students on August 9, Parkville (Mo.) Campus New Student Orientation on August 10, the start of the Fall Semester / Fall I Term on August 12, Opening Convocation on August 16, the Parkville Campus Activities Fair on August 16, and the Labor Day Holiday on September 2.
[1] Park University press release, June 1, 2025.
In the context of Park University's ongoing commitment to education and self-development, new members, including venture capitalist Brian Mertz and lawyer Lewis Nerman, among others, have been elected to the Board of Trustees, bringing diverse expertise to guide the university's growth. As part of this continuous learning and progress, Scott Jackman, a business and technology leader, has been appointed as the new chair of the Board of Trustees.
