SPRINGFIELD, Mo., September 12, 2023 —Drury University Board of Trustees Chair, Rita Baron ’99, is thrilled to share that Drury President John Beuerlein ‘75 and his wife, Crystal Beuerlein ’75, have once again responded to the call to action and committed to a $1.5 million investment in Drury’s Fortify the Future Campaign. The Beuerleins have been ardent supporters of their alma mater for decades, often behind the scenes, choosing to give anonymously or naming facilities in honor of others.
“Drury University is immensely grateful for the generosity of John and Crystal Beuerlein,” said Baron. “It is their exceptional character, humility and unwavering commitment to Drury University that truly sets them apart. Their legacy will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of future generations, as their selfless contributions pave the way for continued excellence and opportunity at Drury.”
John is fully committed to the service of Drury and the Springfield community and has refused to take a salary during his tenure as president. Along with his $1.5 million commitment, all compensation tied to his employment will go back to the university. He and Crystal have decided to support two main priorities with their gift.
The first is the Heritage Building Fund which will have direct impact on the campus experience. The second part of their gift is to provide unrestricted support for the campaign priority of Student Success. The university will use these funds in recognition of its commitment to community service and Springfield. The funds will be allocated to annual awards in each of the next five years to afford Drury students the opportunity to take social change experiments off Drury’s campus and into the community to help make Springfield a better place for everyone.
“Drury’s future lies in enriching the student experience in ways that cause them to want to stay and recommend Drury to others because of the great experience they are having,” said the Beuerleins. “Those experiences range from the quality of their living arrangements, to the magic that happens in the classrooms with their professors, to practical learning opportunities in the wonderful real-world laboratory that is Springfield and the Greater Ozarks.”
John served as a Drury trustee from 1991 to 2011. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Drury in 2013 and was inducted into Drury’s Breech Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2011, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award and was elected an Emeritus trustee. In 2016 he was elected one of three Life Trustees. Both John and Crystal received the Distinguished Spirit of Drury award in 2021.
“Leadership starts at the top,” said Executive Vice President of Advancement Marie Muhvic. “What a selfless example to set and how inspiring that John and Crystal find it in their hearts to continuously invest in Drury University and its students. Drury had a profound impact on their lives and they want to pay that forward to future generations. We are grateful for the many sacrifices they continue to make.”
To learn more and make your impact on the Fortify the Future campaign visit Drury.edu/fortify.
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Jasmine Cooper, Director of University Communications and Media Relations, Office: (417) 873-7390, Email: JCooper020@drury.edu