Dr. Greg Gunderson has resigned his position as Park University president.
Greg Gunderson
According to reporting late last week by the Park University student newspaper, The Stylus, Gunderson stepped down from his position of five years at the Parkville university on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Shane Smeed
According to the Stylus, Park University announced Tuesday, Nov. 24 that vice president and chief operating officer Shane Smeed was appointed acting president as Gunderson transitions to a “president emeritus” status.
“President Greg Gunderson has announced his decision to step down from the presidency of Park University to pursue other opportunities,” according to a statement released by the university. “The entire Park community joins in thanking President Gunderson for his years of dedicated service and in wishing him and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”
According to the university’s statement, Gunderson thanks the Park community “for the years of joy it has given to me and my family; Park will always have a special place in our hearts and we will forever remain #onefamily.”
The board of trustees appointed Smeed as acting president. He, too, has worked at Park for five years, most recently serving as vice president and COO.
“President emeritus is a great compliment to someone who has had a really significant impact on an institution of higher education over a period of time,” Smeed said in the Stylus. “Dr. Gunderson was here for five years, and you know we accomplished a lot of great things as a leadership team.”
Under Gunderson’s leadership, Park implemented new technologies to enhance online learning, expanding student support services and athletics, launched new campuses and increased fundraising.
Gunderson and his wife, Laurie, championed the creation of the Pirate Pantry, to support students in need. Gunderson and his team also worked to obtain congressionally approved legislation authorizing Park to undertake a systematic review of minority veterans’ World War I service records. The Valor Medals Review project has provided Park a national platform to address issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Gunderson also guided Park’s rapid COVID-19 response, which included a faculty course redevelopment process, as well as implementation of safeguards enabling Park students to continue their studies via multiple modalities while protecting students, faculty and staff.
Smeed told the Stylus he was honored to receive the position.
“I would say, you know, very, very little notice, but I think that it was a great compliment,” Smeed said. “The board of trustees are really responsible for making appointments like this. And so I felt humbled that the board of trustees asked me to serve as acting president.”