Springfield, MO., May 11, 2024 — Drury University’s class of 2024 donned caps and gowns to celebrate their academic success during commencement ceremonies this week.
Two graduation ceremonies were conducted this weekend including one on Friday evening for Drury GO, Drury’s evening and online programs, and the College of Graduate Studies. The ceremony for graduates of the traditional day school was held on Saturday morning.
In total, there were 412 graduates honored this weekend as they leave Drury to live lives of meaning and value and pursue exceptional outcomes. This includes 226 day school graduates, 111 from Drury GO, and 75 graduates who earned a master’s degree. Later this month 21 graduates of the Drury Law Enforcement Academy will receive their Missouri POST Class A Licenses.
During both ceremonies, Interim President John Beuerlein ’75 spoke with immense gratitude, remarking that being the university president for the last year has been an honor. “These graduating classes are a testament to Drury’s legacy that started 150 years ago when Nathan J. Morrison rang a borrowed bell to celebrate the opening of the college,” Beuerlein said. “Today marks the end of a year-long celebration of our 150th anniversary.”
And what will your story be?
On Friday, Drury welcomed Michael Davison as the commencement speaker. Michael Davison began his studies by earning an Associate of Arts degree from Drury’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies before earning a Bachelor’s degree in 2005 with majors in both Business Administration and French. Davison wanted to give back to Drury after completing his studies, thus funding the C.W. Titus Foundation Study Abroad Scholarships to help Drury students study foreign languages abroad.
“We’re gathered here tonight to celebrate all of you getting your degrees. We’re all here from different backgrounds, communities, and countries, but we have one thing in common: the effort to improve ourselves,” he remarked. “Drury has helped us achieve this goal, so tonight as you reflect about your own story, remember your successes and achievements you’ve had that will shape your future. I challenge you to take what you’ve learned here at Drury, make it bigger than you, and go out there and give it back to the world to make it a better place.”
Recognizing the power of example
The Honorable Roy D. Blunt served as Saturday’s commencement speaker. Blunt served as a United States senator for Missouri from 2011 to 2023. Blunt’s political career also included two terms as the Secretary of State for Missouri, and seven terms in the House of Representatives where he served as Majority Whip for six years and Acting Majority Leader. In addition, the Southwest Missouri native led his alma mater, Southwest Baptist University, as President from 1993 to 1996.
“The power of example is an important thing,” he said. “With all the obligations of life, it’s a great thing for the people we are helping and the people who were watching as you “got this done.” Change is coming faster than ever before, and you will be part of that and be better prepared for it because of what’s happened today. Life’s about trajectory. Today, we celebrate a change in your trajectory. You have a better opportunity to go further than you would have gone otherwise because of what happened today, and other people have a better opportunity to go further than they would have gone otherwise because of what you did today.”
Prior to Blunt’s speech, President Beuerlein received a proclamation for his sacrifice and leadership to Drury for the last 15 months. David L. Harrison’59, Drury Poet Laureate and Missouri Poet Laureate, also read a poem for the Saturday commencement ceremony titled “This Poem Is for You.” His poem paid homage to Drury’s 150-year legacy as an institution that creates leaders who go out and change the world.
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Media Contact: Kevin Kropf, Ed.D., Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communication, Office: (417) 873-7390, Email: kkropf@drury.edu