This is What Resilience Looks Like

Boldly persevering through two bitter Midwest winters — and a global pandemic — construction crews safely endured. Nothing stopped Park University from realizing its vision.

This is determination. This is faith and labor. This is resilience.

This is Park’s Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center — the new home for the University’s School of Business and the Park Global Warrior Center.

An aerial view of the flagship Parkville, Mo., Campus and the new Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and School of Business.

“The Plaster Center marks a new era at Park University. This stunningly beautiful new building will serve as a bridge — a communal link — between students, faculty and business leaders,” said Kirby Brown, dean of the University’s College of Management, during the grand opening ceremony for the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and School of Business on Oct. 1, 2021. “It has been carefully designed as the ultimate facility for business education for our students here (at the flagship Parkville, Mo., Campus) and in our campus centers across the country and online around the world.”

The new, three-story Plaster Center stands gleaming at the entrance of the picturesque Parkville Campus. “This is a monumental moment as we officially dedicate the first, new above-ground academic facility to be built on Park’s flagship campus in more than 20 years,” said Nathan Marticke, MACL ’10, Park’s chief advancement officer.

Awe-inspiring

Upon entering the Plaster Center, a real-time stock market ticker immediately conveys the powerful link between business education and today’s business world. A state-of-theart finance lab, a video production studio, and entrepreneurship and innovation lab elevate the educational experience.

Contemporary lounge areas throughout the building are available for study or relaxed socialization. The 27,000 square-foot building features eight modular classrooms and seven flexible spaces for collaboration that are equipped with the latest smart technologies, along with offices for faculty and staff. “It’s awe-inspiring to look out from Park’s historic Mackay Hall to the extraordinary Plaster Center,” said Shane Smeed, Park University president. “While the iconic Mackay Hall was built in the 1890s with limestone quarried by Park students, the new Plaster Center is proudly built for students.”

Standing inside Park University’s Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and School of Business are Molly Kerr, private wealth market executive at BOK Financial; Kirby Brown, dean of the University’s College of Management; Stephen Plaster, president, Robert W. Plaster Foundation; Peter deSilva, honorary chair of Park’s Building Opportunity Campaign Committee and former member of Park’s Board of Trustees; and Nathan Marticke, MACL ’10, Park’s chief advancement officer.

On Oct. 1, 2021, Park University hosted the grand opening of its Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and School of Business. Surrounded by students, Park’s leadership led a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. From left: Kirby Brown, dean of the University’s College of Management; Peter deSilva, honorary chair of Park’s Building Opportunity Campaign Committee and former member of Park’s Board of Trustees; Stephen Plaster, president, Robert W. Plaster Foundation; Shane Smeed, Park University president; and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Rich Keller, Board of Trustees vice chair.

Intentional design

A focus on the student experience was paramount at every stage of planning. “Every design decision was intentional,” said Adrian James, Ph.D., associate dean in the College of Management and associate professor of management. “Creating spaces throughout the Plaster Center that offer natural opportunities for collaboration was an integral priority.”

With teamwork critical to business success, the Plaster Center brings all business courses and faculty together in an innovative environment designed to facilitate connection. “We have the unique experience at Park to teach students from diverse backgrounds and generations,” James said. “The new space invites students to comfortably connect, share perspectives and build relationships with each other and faculty instead of rushing across campus to their next class.”

Smart technology is incorporated throughout the new facility. For example, the innovation lab is equipped to enable real-time video connection with Park University students online and at campuses across the country. The Plaster Center also has been carefully structured with a focus on accessibility — from elevators to a kitchenette for commuter students, along with a mother’s room for women.

Vitality of the human spirit

With every great endeavor stands a great leader. “Peter deSilva was instrumental in making the dream of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at Park a reality,” said Smeed. “We are grateful for his leadership as the honorary chair of our Building Opportunity Campaign Committee.

As a board member of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation, deSilva had the good fortune to know the late namesake. “Bob believed that free enterprise was not just about economic opportunity; he believed it was also about the vitality of the human spirit,” said deSilva, who is currently a Harvard University Fellow with the Advanced Learning Initiative. “He believed a solid education was, above all else, the cornerstone of success.”

Serving on the Park University Board of Trustees for nine years, deSilva said he’s witnessed firsthand the steadfast commitment at Park to educate the next generation of global leaders. “It’s our hope that the new Plaster Center will be a place where the American dream flourishes and every individual can achieve their full potential.”

The first floor of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and School of Business features the Park Global Warrior Center, which assists military students, their families and veterans on the flagship Parkville, Mo., Campus, at Park’s campuses across the country and online. Dedicated staff who are military veterans provide personal guidance to help students make the most of their education benefits and find specialized support services tailored to their needs.

Park University broke ground on the $10.4 million Plaster Center on Dec. 19, 2019, after the University carefully lifted and moved Park House to a new location east of Hawley Hall on the flagship Parkville, Mo., Campus. The beloved building is now the home of the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War and its Valor Medals Review project. The Robb Centre collaborates with international, national and regional agencies to promote the study and preservation of memories and servicemembers related to the Great War.

“With numerous studies about the positive impact of light on the learning process, I’m thrilled to see the many incredible windows that stream natural light throughout the building, offering spectacular views of the campus.”— Adrian James, Ph.D. associate dean of Park University’s College of Management and associate professor of management, who led the faculty consortium for the Plaster Center Design Committee

— Sophie Roper (above right), senior business administration/logistics and computer information management, and entrepreneurship major, and president of Park’s Business and Investment Club

“Simply walking into the Plaster Center is exciting! The light, the modern classrooms, the comfortable lounge and the convenient access to all of my professors. All of it makes Park’s new School of Business a very special place where I’m proud to be pursuing my education.”— Allison Anderson, senior business administration/ international business and marketing major, and member of the cross country and track and field programs on the Parkville (Mo.) Campus