EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT

Each year, Park University honors a few of its outstanding alumni and friends for their extraordinary achievements in their careers and communities — and for their commitment to Park.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD

The Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award recognizes Park alumni who have distinguished themselves through career, service or community achievements.

2019

Carolyn McHenry Elwess, ’71, is an enthusiastic advocate for Park University’s history and people. First, as a Park student, and now, as a longstanding Park staff member, Elwess has embodied Park’s motto of Fides et Labor (faith and labor) for more than five decades. As the University’s archivist since 2001, Elwess stewards the vast collections in Park’s Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections, and has created exhibits that have attracted local and national interest in Park. She has served as researcher, editor and principal author for many articles and books about the University and Parkville, Mo. In addition to preserving Park’s history, Elwess is often called upon to galvanize alumni groups toward a common cause. Her outreach to Park graduates has been instrumental in the many reunions of the Class of 1971 and Friends. Most recently, she chaired Park’s successful “Save the Park House” alumni fundraising campaign.

Elwess (second from left) is flanked by fellow Park alumni (from left): Richard McGaughey, ’73, Rosemary Fry Plakas, ’63 and Wilford W. “Pete” Kale, ’71.

2018

When she heard about the challenges of boot camp, Parisa Fetherson, ’06, a high school athlete, said “bring it on.” After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1979, Fetherson climbed the ranks to become a sergeant major in 2001 (now retired). Throughout her 26 years of active duty service, Fetherson traveled the world and met her husband of 34 years, retired Sgt. Maj. Ron Fetherson, while stationed in Japan. The youngest of their three children, Tracey, is now a Marine captain who was featured in a Washington Post story about the courage of female Marines. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park, Fetherson earned a master’s degree in education. She is currently the director of professional development programs at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va., where Park has a campus center). Last year, she was co-chair of the Women Marines Association’s national Centennial Celebration.

Fetherson (left) with her daughter, Tracey, a Marine Corps captain.

MARLOWE SHERWOOD MEMORIAL SERVICE AWARD

The Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award recognizes Park alumni volunteer service to the community and/or civic organizations.

2019

Lillian Secelela Madeje, ’10, taps the power of innovation to serve the global community and is the founder/co-founder of three businesses. As managing director of Ekihya Consulting in Tanzania, she helps businesses improve efficiencies. She also started Bits & Bytes, a tech conference that explores how technology can raise standards of living, and Niajiri Platform, an online system that matches employers and entry-level talent. Madeje holds board and advisory positions with Majico, an organization that empowers communities with sustainable water treatment technologies, Digital Opportunity Trust Tanzania and Global Entrepreneurship Week in Tanzania. She is also an ambassador for the Jali Project and curator for Dar es Salaam Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. Madeje earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Park and also has a Master of Business Administration degree.

Traveling from Tanzania to accept her award, Lilian Madeje (center) is surrounded by family and friends (from left): Anna Maria Mtaita, Anikaely Madeje, Andrew Madeje, Carolyne Mtaita, Lisa Marie Anderson, Judith Peter Magiida, Robert Madeje and Honest Peter Magiida.

2018

Joseph (Joe) H. Geeter III, ’99, wanted to preserve the legacy of the first black Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. In spite of rampant racism, Montford Point Marines demonstrated loyalty and a willingness to serve a nation that, at the time, did not offer them many basic civil rights. The retired master gunnery sergeant, who served tours in Japan, Korea and the Philippines, wanted to honor these unsung heroes with the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress — the Congressional Gold Medal. The former Park Board of Trustees member spent countless hours walking the halls of Congress to gain support for his bill. After five years of lobbying, the bill was signed by President Barack Obama in 2011 and on June 27, 2012, the Congressional Gold Medal was presented to approximately 400 Montford Point Marines in Washington, D.C.

TORCHLIGHTER AWARD

The Torchlighter Award honors those who have made significant, longstanding contributions and commitments to Park University. Recipients who are not Park alumni receive honorary alumni status as part of this award.

2019

Robert Dandridge, ’04, and Brenda Dandridge, ’07, are joined in life and in purpose. Both served in the U.S. Air Force for a combined 50-plus years. After retiring as command chief master sergeant, Robert joined the Civil Air Patrol where he currently serves as the national command chief of the CAP at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Robert and Brenda, married for more than 30 years and parents of two sons who serve in the U.S. Air Force, are proud Park ambassadors. Robert assists with student recruitment at community colleges and military installations, and has served two three-year terms on Park’s Alumni Council. When she’s not participating in the U.S. Bowling Congress Senior Championships, Brenda accompanies Robert as he volunteers with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary of the Civil Air Patrol, and, of course, when supporting their alma mater.

2018

For Roger Hershey, J.D., LL.M., the road to Park started with the U.S. Navy. After becoming a member of the Missouri Bar in 1970, he served as a lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the U.S. Naval Reserve. At Park, Hershey served on both the Board of Trustees (1995-2004) and on staff (2004-2016) as vice president and general counsel and then as vice president for entrepreneurial ventures until his retirement in 2016. Hershey ensured the financing and construction of the Copley Quad residential hall and the expansion of the Parkville Commercial Underground and Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground. As a conservation and environmental advocate, Hershey served as trustee and interim executive director of the Sierra Club Foundation. Currently, he is a board member for the L-A-D Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the stewardship of natural land in Missouri.

PROMISING YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AWARD

The Promising Young Professional Award recognizes alumni who show exceptional promise of leadership and contribution to their profession and/or community.

2019

Marcus Gladdis, MBA ’11, MHA ’18, believes the best way to show promise is to help develop it in others. The program manager at Cerner Corp. volunteers for nonprofit organizations such as Fresh Cut/Fresh Start, a back-toschool program that offers students free haircuts and immunizations. Gladdis created his own service programs including The Hunt is On, a free Easter egg hunt for kids in Kansas City, Kan. (his hometown), and The Conversation, a program for minority freshmen at Kansas State University (his undergraduate alma mater) to offer book scholarships and first-semester survival tips. Gladdis was recognized by his high school district as a 2016 Reasons to Believe honoree, and he was awarded the 2014 Talent Expression Award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity that recognizes members who use their talents to benefit the community in a positive way.

Marcus Gladdis (second from left) with his family (from left): Vernon Gladdis, father; Marla Gladdis, sister; and Carolyn Gladdis, mother.

2018

Javier Centonzio, ’09, J.D., LL.M., has made it his life’s mission to advocate for veterans. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Centonzio joined the Kansas Army National Guard where he met Sgt. Jessie Davila. When they deployed to Iraq, Davila was killed by an improvised explosive device. It was then that Centonzio committed himself to veterans. At Park, he helped secure a $100,000 grant that was instrumental in creating the Park Global Warrior Center. As co-founder of the Weylie Centonzio PLLC law firm in St. Petersburg, Fla., Centonzio advocates for veterans, the disabled and the elderly. He volunteers for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Project Homeless Connect and Stand Down for Homeless Veterans. He also created the Sgt. Jessie Davila Memorial Veterans Scholarship for veterans pursuing a law degree at Stetson University (where he earned both his law degrees).