Springfield, MO., June 4, 2024 – On May 11, Drury University hosted the 72nd Annual Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony for Alumni Weekend. Founded in 1951, the Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize individuals who have achieved professional and personal successes and demonstrated exemplary service to their community.

“The Distinguished Alumni Award is one of the highest honors a Drury University graduate can receive. They have demonstrated exemplary service to the community and have made a difference in so many lives,” said Chip Parker, Director of Alumni Relations from the University’s Office of Advancement. “It’s an honor to have them return to where it all began and it allows us as an institution to show them how proud we are of their many successes throughout their life.”

Each alumni selected becomes a recipient for the Distinguished Alumni Awards under one of several categories:

Lifetime Achievement: Alumnus whose life and accomplishments have earned the respect of their industry, profession or community.
University Engagement: Alumnus with extraordinary achievement in their personal and professional endeavors, with special attention to their exceptional service to the University.
Community Service: Alumnus who has served his or her community in an exemplary way, sustaining a record of leadership and dedicated service.
Career Achievement: Alumnus with exceptional achievements in their professional endeavors, reflecting honor on the University and its alumni.
Young Alumni: Alumnus who graduated within the last 15 years and whose ac
complishments set a standard for life-long excellence.
Appreciation Award for Faculty/Staff: Faculty and staff member honored for achievement in their professional or academic field and loyalty to the University.
Special Merit: Alumnus who have provided distinctive contributions to support the University, Alumni, and the Drury Family in the preceding year.

This year, the following alumni were honored for their contributions:

Front row: Edwin "Cookie" Rice '52/H'20 Back row (left to right): Wes Pratt '73, Kelly Sitzman '10, Michael "Mike" White '61, Basil "Trent" Webb '89, Lynn Chipperfield '73, Rita Baron '99, and Jeffrey "Jeff" Bohannan '84 — Back row (left to right): Wes Pratt ’73, Kelly Sitzman ’10, Michael “Mike” White ’61, Basil “Trent” Webb ’89, Lynn Chipperfield ’73, Rita Baron ’99, and Jeffrey “Jeff” Bohannan ’84; Front row: Edwin “Cookie” Rice ’52/H’20

Edwin “Cookie” Rice ’52/H’20 — Lifetime Achievement
Wes Pratt ’73 — Lifetime Achievement
Basil “Trent” Webb ’89 — Career Achievement
Jeffrey “Jeff” Bohannan `84— Career Achievement
Michael “Mike” White `61 — Community Service
Kelly Sitzman ’10 — Young Alumni
Lynn Chipperfield ’73 — University Engagement
Rita Baron ’99 — Special Merit

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards. To submit your nomination, visit https://www.drury.edu/alumni/forms/distinguished-alumni-award-nomination-form/.

###

Media Contact: Kevin Kropf, Ed.D., Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications | Office: (417) 873-7390 | Email: kkropf@drury.edu

Drury University celebrates Distinguished Alumni with awards ceremony for Alumni Weekend