Presidential Inauguration
On April 22, 2022, Shane B. Smeed will be inaugurated as the 18th president of Park University.
Please join us as we celebrate this event, a new chapter in Park University’s history.
Meet Shane B. Smeed
Shane B. Smeed was appointed president effective January 2022, having been interim president since December 2020. Before his appointment, Smeed served as Park’s vice president and chief operating officer. Read more »
Park University appoints Shane B. Smeed as 18th President »
Schedule of Events
Honors Convocation
Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
The Park University community celebrates the University’s outstanding students, faculty and staff.
University Picnic
Thursday, April 21, 11 a.m.
University Front Lawn
Faculty, staff and students are invited to an all-University picnic complete with games, a DJ and more!
Inauguration Ceremony
Friday, April 22, 2:30 p.m.
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
The University will formally install its 18th president, Shane B. Smeed.
Inauguration Reception
Friday, April 22, 3:30 p.m.
University Front Lawn
Join the University community for a reception in honor of President Smeed.
Invited Guests Information
University COVID-19 Policy
As of March 7, Park University only requires faces masks to be worn in classrooms, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Platte County (Mo.) Health Department. While masks are no longer mandated (except in classrooms), visitors have the option to wear a mask.
Parkville University and the Parkville Campus
Founded in 1875 on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River in Parkville, Mo., Park University currently serves more than 13,250 students at 41 campuses in 22 states and online, including Parkville, Independence and Kansas City, Mo.; Lenexa, Kan.; Gilbert, Ariz.; Barstow and Victorville, Calif.; Columbus, Ohio; Austin and El Paso, Texas; and 31 military installations across the country.
Directions and Maps
Park University is a tobacco-free campus.
Institutional Delegates
Delegates attending the inauguration are asked to register online at park.edu/rsvpfour. To ensure that your institution is listed in the program, your response must be received by Monday, April 11.
Delegates and ceremony participants should arrive by 1:30 p.m. with their own academic regalia. Volunteers will direct you to the designated area for robing. Procession line-up will begin at 2 p.m. with the ceremony beginning promptly at 2:30 p.m. in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel.
Hotel Accommodations
Park University has reserved a block of rooms at the Sonesta Select Kansas City Airport Prairie View hotel at a discounted rate. You can reserve a room by calling the hotel at (816) 891-0871, Ext. 3. Please ask for the “Park University Enterprises Inc. group rate.” The group code is 220420PARK, or use this link to confirm the reservation online. Please confirm your reservation by Friday, April 8.
Contact Us
If you have questions, need additional information or require special accommodations, please contact the Office of the President at (816) 584-6202 or e-mail president@park.edu.
About Park University
More than 13,250 students worldwide pursue their Park education at one of our 41 campuses in the U.S. or online around the globe.
Learn more About Park University.
Mission and vision
Park University transforms lives through accessible, student-centered, quality higher education.
Learn more about Park’s Mission and Vision.
