SPRINGFIELD, Mo., March 25, 2025 – Drury University, in partnership with Springfield Public Schools, Ozarks Technical Community College, and Republic High School, was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks via the Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact Grant Program. The grant serves to help provide living expenses and professional learning experiences for student teachers.
Named in memory of the late Springfield philanthropist, the Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact Grant Program funds innovative solutions to address Blue Ribbon and Red Flag issues identified in the Community Focus Report for Springfield and Greene County.
As part of the grant program, the CFO invited families who have established donor-advised funds to support projects that aligned with their charitable interests.
Drury’s grant comes with the support of Anne E. and Mac McGregor Donor Advised Fund, in honor of Peter Herschend, founding member of Silver Dollar City and Herschend Family Entertainment; and The Kenny J. DeForest Memorial Charitable Fund, which serves to honor the life of Springfield native, former comedian, and Drury alum Kenny DeForest ‘08, who tragically passed away in December of 2023.
“When we read the grant details, it was a no brainer,” Anne E. McGregor, daughter of Peter Herschend, said. “My dad, Peter, has made education one of his life’s legacies. He has often spoken of the ‘DNA of a great teacher’. The kind that you recall decades after you left your school. Drury carries that same passion: identifying the DNA and then building the pathways to narrow their skills and deepen their abilities. We contributed just a small part to making that happen, but we are hoping it is the seed that sends a message of the incredible value of our current and future teachers.”
For the DeForest family, the opportunity to contribute to this grant helps honor their son’s Drury legacy.
“Pam and I felt it was an honor to support the Drury Student Teacher Support Grant in Kenny’s name,” Roger DeForest said. “He was very proud of his time and experience at Drury. He got a great education, and enjoyed the college experience including his two years on the basketball team and his time in the KA Fraternity.”
The funds will go to support Drury students during their semesters as student-teachers at SPS and Republic schools. Most student teachers work a 40-hour week at their respective schools, and this funding gives them an opportunity to better support themselves during that time.
Drury Director of Elementary Education and Professor of Education Dr. Laurie Edmondson accepted the check on behalf of the University.
“Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact Grant provides critical support to student teachers when they need it the most,” Edmondson said. “Student teaching is an unpaid internship for a full 16-week semester. This unpaid time can create a hardship for our students, yet it is crucial to prepare them for a career in education. This grant will help pay living expenses for students who qualify during their student teaching semester. These extra funds will allow them to focus on the learning they will gain from a local cooperating teacher. We want to provide the best prepared teachers for Springfield and Greene County, so this partnership with OTC, Springfield, and Republic school districts will be beneficial for our whole community.”
Funds through the program will be available beginning with the Fall 2025 semester. Applications are currently being accepted.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu