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No Hill for a Stepper

by Bridget Locke, Director of Strategic Communications, July 2019

The late Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Forest Richards, Jr. (Retired)

You can see it in her eyes when she talks about him: Yvette Richards was, is, and always will be a daddy’s girl. Although her faith assures her that her father’s recent death at age 89 won’t separate them forever, it is hard for her to imagine life today without the daily conversations they shared.

“We had strategy sessions every evening,” Yvette said, grinning through tears. It is, understandably, bittersweet to reflect on his life in hindsight.

Still, Yvette noticeably beams when recounting his commitment to family, education and community, and his (literal) leaps of faith. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Forest Richards, Jr., a 1975 Park graduate, was a walking demonstration of service, commitment and historic feats.

“I can do that”

Chief Richards, a Sedalia, Mo. native, joined the U.S. Army in 1946 at age 17 and served in World War II. After a brief career as an apprentice mortician, he returned to the Army in 1954, completed airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga. and attended rigger school at Fort Lee, Va. “Daddy witnessed a jump once and said, ‘I can do that,’” Yvette shared. “He wanted to try it. Fortunately, he received the support of his superiors. That wasn’t always the case for young black soldiers in those days.”

He served ten years with the 612th Quartermaster Aerial Supply Company, and then transferred to the Artic Test Center in Fort Greely, Alaska, where he tested airdrop equipment. He was then sent to the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Massachusetts, where he helped develop expendable parachutes for the Vietnam War.

Throughout his military career, Chief Richards received numerous awards and decorations, including the Silver Star; Bronze Star; Purple Heart; the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin; and honors from the 555^th Parachute Infantry Association, Inc. “Triple Nickels.” He was also recognized by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus for his exemplary military service and, in November 2018, was one of 17 veterans inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.

His military career also made history. Upon retirement in 1983, Chief Richards was the first African American inducted into the Parachute Rigger Warrant Officer’s Hall of Fame in Fort Lee, Va., Quartermaster Corps, U.S. Army, with over 1,200 airborne jumps logged and over 11,000 parachute operations worldwide without incident as a Master Parachutist.

Think—and live—globally, act locally
As a military family, the Richards crew moved around often.

“Alaska, Massachusetts, Germany …” recalled Yvette. “Every three years, we were in a new place.”

While constantly uprooting would be taxing for many families, Yvette regards her childhood as surprisingly stable and content—due in large part to her parents’ efforts.

“They gave us stability,” she said. “My brother, sisters and I were involved in regular youth activities because Mommy and Daddy encouraged us to join the Army Youth Association. He coached sports and Mommy coached cheerleading. While we were stationed in Germany, Daddy became the Commissioner of the Manheim Youth Department and helped lead the way for athletic activities and personal development programs to be developed for young people in Germany. He instilled in us the importance of service to the community because he modeled it for us.”

Chief Richards’ post-military career and community service was also a reflection of his belief in community engagement and youth development. As a Savannah, Ga. resident, he spent 12 years as a crime prevention analyst with the City of Savannah Police Department. He also volunteered (often serving in key leadership positions) with multiple community organizations, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Gateway Behavioral Health Services, Mental Health Association of the Coastal Empire, and the Chatham County Board of Education. He also served as an educator, teaching business and human resources management courses as an adjunct instructor at Saint Leo University (Fla.); Savannah State (Ga.); Central Texas College (Tex.); and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.).

Through all of his accomplishments, Chief Richards held a special place in his heart for his time spent as a Park student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Chief Richards as a Park student, circa 1975.

“Daddy was proud to be a Park alum,” Yvette said. “He deeply valued education and appreciated Park’s commitment to the military.”

He also found value in maintaining a spirit of optimism. Because of this, Yvette believes that he will always be remembered for his generous expressions of love, his compassion for others, and his zest for life.

“One of his favorite sayings was, ‘There’s no hill for a stepper.’ He instilled that sense of pride and expectation in our entire family, and in all the communities he served. No matter the depths and heights, no matter the challenge, keep trying. Keep striving. Don’t stop moving.”

A Seat at the Table

Isaiah Nichols, a Park U Criminal Justice major, is like many other graduating seniors. When asked about his plans immediately following commencement on May 11, his eyes light up with joy.

“I cannot wait to celebrate,” Isaiah smiled. “It’s been a long time coming.”

When asked about his plans beyond graduation night, Isaiah’s eyes remain joyful, but his words grow more focused and intentional:

“After I graduate, I’ll move back to Chicago and will apply to become an officer with the Chicago Police Department. I also plan to enroll in graduate school to study Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement. My end game is to be promoted to detective on the force and someday join the Chicago Police Board.”

Struggle and Strain
Although there has been a reported decrease in crime in Chicago, Ill., it’s no secret that the city has struggled. Isaiah hails from the south side—Englewood, specifically, which is one of more than 70 official neighborhoods in the City of Chicago. While there was a need for officers to engage in his neighborhood because of crime in the area, from as early as he can remember, Isaiah saw and felt the strain in community-police relations. From his perspective, there was a marked absence of police presence during his community’s good moments, and an abundance of distrust when officers came around. In fact, he was impacted personally by the tension.

“When I was younger, I witnessed and experienced harassment,” Isaiah recalls. “Once, when I was coming home from baseball practice, an officer stopped me and asked if I had a gun. When I said, ‘No,’ he pushed me against the wall, searched me and asked if I was a drug dealer. Of course he let me go because I hadn’t done anything wrong.”

This type of experience wasn’t unique to Isaiah. During a family gathering, his older brother was pulled out of a car, thrown on the hood and handcuffed without explanation.

“Those moments were devastating for us,” he said.

But beyond the emotion of the moment, these interactions were disappointing to Isaiah because they spoke to a bigger issue.

“We only experienced interaction with officers in a negative context. I knew there had to be a better way to relate. It gnawed at my conscience.”

Over time, many of Isaiah’s family and peers grew wary and suspicious of the police. But where they saw a lost cause, he saw the potential for change. At age 16, Isaiah—a talented athlete whose popularity at Leo Catholic High School as a college baseball prospect was growing—redirected his attention to a future in law enforcement.

A Seat at the Table
Isaiah came to Park U in 2016 and grew inspired by the insightful, task-oriented instruction he received from his professors. He names Gregory Plumb, J.D., John Hamilton, Ph.D. and Cindy Anderson, Ph.D. as the most academically influential on his time at Park.

“It has been really beneficial to learn from people who have experience in the field you’re studying,” Isaiah said. “It feels as if you’re receiving inside information that you’ll be able to apply as soon as you’ve graduated.”

His biggest personal inspiration has been his mother, Frankie Nichols.

“My mother has survived two strokes and breast cancer. Now, she’s fighting her way back to health after spinal cord surgery. She’s a nurse, and spending all those years on her feet has taken a toll on her body. But she’s a fighter and has saved countless lives. She pushes me to be a fighter. My mother is my biggest inspiration.”

After graduation, Isaiah looks forward to reuniting with his mother, his grandmother (another influential woman in his life to whom he dedicated his academic year) and is eager to begin the lengthy process of applying to the Chicago Police Department.

“Ultimately, I want to level the playing field for everyone in my community. I believe the best way to achieve that is have a seat at the table to better understand the processes and systems that affect all of us. That is the most impactful way to protect and serve.”

Just One Day

Xavier Harper, Park University senior, describes himself as an adventurous spirit who enjoys meeting new people and learning new things. His positive perspective is a sign of hard work and determination…and triumph over darker days.

Born in Okinawa, Japan into a military family (both parents are Air Force veterans), Xavier lived in Japan for seven years, then moved to Guam for just over two years. In 2008, his family received orders to come to the states.

“When I attended William Thomas Academy and Sumter High School in South Carolina, I played sports and found a sense of community,” Xavier said. “We had extended family nearby. For the first time, it felt like home.”

Then, when Xavier was 14, his family headed overseas again—this time, to Germany—and everything changed.

“It felt like starting all over. During this time, my father was deployed to Afghanistan. My mom also spent time in Iraq when I was five and seven, and continued to serve there from time to time when I was in high school. I missed my family and my friends and I wasn’t connecting with people in my new school. Eventually, I stopped talking and became withdrawn. I was already a little antisocial and this made it worse.”

While many high schoolers jokingly call lunch their favorite subject, Xavier recalls that time of day being the hardest for him at Ramstein High School because he sat alone and didn’t talk to anyone. Sometimes, he would avoid the lunchroom by walking around the entire school to pass the time. And, even though he returned to a familiar comfort—sports—it didn’t bring him the same joy as before.

Xavier was deeply depressed. At his lowest moment, he became suicidal.

“I was home alone one day and came very close to ending my life. But I kept thinking about my mom and my sister,” he recalled, tearfully. “I didn’t want them to be the ones to find me.”

Xavier finally opened up about his pain, and his mother immediately sought help. After spending time in the hospital and beginning a long term treatment plan for his depression, Xavier eventually began to see the dark clouds lifting.

“It wasn’t easy and it’s an ongoing process. Over time, ‘Just one day’ became my mental catchphrase. It was a way to remind myself that things wouldn’t always be so hard. Eventually, I would get past the tough days and one day, I would be successful. Until then, I had to take it one day a time. I still say that to myself when times are tough: just one day.”

Eventually, Xavier finished high school in Germany and came back to the states for college. Xavier’s uncle and former Park track coach Ken Davis encouraged him to transfer from a university in North Carolina and come to Park U.

“When I first arrived, I struggled. My GPA was up and down. But I didn’t withdraw this time; I got to know people around campus. I would encourage anyone who is new here to learn to interact with other students and with those who can help you get over whatever obstacles you’re facing. Get involved on and off campus. Stay on top of your studies, but get to know the people, too.”

Today, Xavier is a starting guard/forward on Park U’s developmental men’s basketball team. As a health and wellness major, Xavier wants his life to reflect his field of study. He intends to use his experience with depression to encourage others to make mental health a priority.

Doing so saved his life.

“Sometimes, people use sadness and struggles with mental health against you. That’s why people don’t talk about what they’re really going through. I’m sharing my story because I want to empower people to get the help they need.”

Editor’s note: Are you a Park U student who needs to talk to someone about your feelings? Licensed counselors are available at no charge to Park University students. Click here to learn more about Park’s Counseling Center and Health Services.

Additional resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (Veteran Line: Press 1)
Mental Health Crisis Test Line: Text HELLO to 741741
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline: 1-877-726-4727
Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647

Empowered and Engaged: Jesse’s Journey

From a very early age, Park University junior Jesse Patrick has been determined to figure out how things work.

“It started with watching my brother play video games,” Jesse recalled. “I spent hours by his side while he played ‘Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.’ Everything about it intrigued me; even the basic walking, climbing and attack components. I was determined to learn how it all operated.”

Jesse’s interest in computer technology grew and eventually paved the way to his chosen field of study: Information and Computer Science. As an ICS major, Jesse’s natural curiosity and need to understand function and structure serves him well when navigating the program’s rigorous math and computer programming curriculum.

His inquisitive nature has also led to other revelations: since Jesse’s first day on campus in 2016, he’s been focused on figuring out how to make the college experience work best for his development.

“I wasn’t very involved in high school,” Jesse shared. “When I look back, I realize that time of my life wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been. I wanted things to be different in college, so making the most of my time here became a top priority.”

For Jesse, “making the most” of his time entailed getting out of his comfort zone to engage with new people, even when it felt awkward. At times, talking to people he didn’t know was intimidating. Still, he persevered, and his networking led him to a circle of good friends and University organizations.

In spring 2018, Jesse, a Fides et Labor scholarship recipient, was elected president of Park Student Government Association. In addition to leading PSGA, Jesse serves as president of Park’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is also a student ambassador and works on campus as a resident assistant.

Last August, Jesse stood on the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel stage at Park’s annual Opening Convocation to address new students. During his remarks, Jesse offered the same words of advice that he continues to apply to his own life: meet new people and get involved.

“As a freshman, I never would have thought that someday I would be president of PSGA, but here I am,” Jesse said. “I encourage all of you to get out of your comfort zones, too. And if you feel like everyone’s a stranger like I felt at first, at least now you know one person … you know me.”

Interested in coming to Park U? Visit park.edu/request-info to learn more.

Are you a current student who wants to get involved? Go to crew.park.edu to connect!

A ‘League’ of Her Own

March is Women’s History Month, a time when the innumerable contributions of women to world history are more intentionally studied, recognized and honored. At Park University, we have history makers of our own to celebrate.

One such trailblazer is Ashley Jones, Park’s varsity esports coach.

In July 2018, Park became the first college/university in the Kansas City area to announce the offering of a varsity esports program, starting with the Spring 2019 semester. After an extensive nationwide search, Ashley was hired for the head coaching position.

In January, Ashley began coaching Carin Bublitz, Johnny Carrazco, Nic Gresham, Yewon Lee, Laura Passler, Vince Payne, and Jake Watson, the University’s “League of Legends” team, but she has been passionate about esports since its inception. In fact, playing “League of Legends” was one way that Ashley found a sense of community and a circle of friends as a college student.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Florida in 2013, Ashley was certain she wanted a career in esports, but found few career opportunities in the industry that were right for her at the time.

While waiting, she took volunteer positions with private esports organizations to gain experience and exposure. As viable career opportunities opened up, she started a job search and narrowed down what she wanted:

“Coaching esports at the collegiate level became my dream.”

Nick Carter, Ashley’s former supervisor at the University of Florida, served as a mentor during this period of professional and personal discovery.

“Mr. Carter offered me a position in the Information Technology Department, even though I had no prior IT experience. He hired me because of my work ethic. He believed I could take on any task that he assigned and always pushed me to be the best versions of myself, professionally and personally. He understood my passion for esports and supported my dreams in pursuing it as a career.”

Go for it!
Although there remains a national conversation about the lack of gender diversity in the sport (“Esports is getting bigger every year, so where are all the women?” Variety recently asked), Ashley feels fortunate to have experienced no negative issues in her career and is proud to coach Park’s first varsity co-ed esports team.

Ashley (front row, center), with team members (back row, l-r): Jake Watson, Vince Payne, Carin Bublitz, Nic Gresham, Johnny Carrazco, and (front row, l-r) Yewon Lee and Laura Passler. Photo credit: Park Sports Information

“The community has been supportive from the beginning,” she shared.

Still, if Ashley could offer words of wisdom to other women considering an esports career, Ashley would offer the same encouragement she received.

“Go for it! Work hard, keep your head down, and push through any negativity that might come your way,” Ashley advised. “If it is something you are passionate about and you want it badly enough, it is all worth it when you finally end up exactly where you want to be.”

Interested in seeing Park’s esports team in action? Their inaugural League of Legends season just ended, but the team will be joining new tournaments soon. Check Park.edu/esports often for updated schedule information, and be sure to follow them on Twitch at twitch.tv/parkesports, catch streams of their matches by following Park Athletics on YouTube, or stop by the Parkade Battlegrounds on the Parkville Campus.