SPRINGFIELD, Mo., December 10, 2020 — Drury University will hold a commencement ceremony for 226 December graduates at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 12.
The event will celebrate this important milestone for graduates of all of Drury’s programs, including the evening and online programs, now called Drury GO, the College of Graduate Studies and the traditional residential day school. There are 127 graduates from Drury GO, 63 graduates from the day school and 36 graduates earning a master’s degree.
As with Drury’s commencement held in August, the ceremony will incorporate social distancing and other public health considerations. There will be temperature checks at the door and masks are required for all participants and visitors. Seats in the stands will be blocked off to ensure necessary distance between family groups. Graduates were asked to secure tickets for a limited number of family or friends prior to this weekend’s events.
In lieu of a commencement address, the university will recognize six retiring faculty members with a combined 147 years of service to Drury:
Dr. Bruce Callen dedicated 29 years to teaching physics. He helped found the Drury Scholars Program in 2008 to give African American middle school students a residential college experience. He also served in a leadership role for Academic Affairs from 2005 to 2018.
Dr. Kathy Carroll dedicated 18 years to teaching exercise and sport science. Before coming to Drury she worked as a registered pharmacist for seven years while pursuing further advanced degrees and has a distinguished record in both academic research and in the private sector.
Dr. Hue-ping Chin dedicated 23 years to teaching history. She chaired the department of history, philosophy and religion. She also founded the Asian Studies Program in 2008 and directed the program for its first 10 years.
Dr. Kenneth G. High dedicated 30 years to teaching chemistry. He made substantial and essential contributions to the department of chemistry, developing innovative and engaged laboratory experiences for general, inorganic and analytical chemistry courses.
Dr. Richard Maxson dedicated 20 years to teaching communication. He taught persuasion theory, rhetorical criticism, foundations of communication and communication ethics, and has played the role of campus troubadour in recent years as leader of the DUkes ukulele club.
Dr. Regina Waters dedicated 27 years to teaching communication. She chaired the department of communication before becoming dean of the College of Graduate Studies. She retires as associate provost of adult, online and graduate education.
Media are welcome to cover the event, but are asked to contact Executive Director of University Relations Mike Brothers in advance of arrival.
Protocols for the ceremonies were crafted by Drury’s Student Health and Public Safety Committee, a cross-functional team of faculty, staff, students and administrators that has guided Drury’s COVID-19 protocols since the spring.
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