Springfield, Mo., December 10, 2024 — Drury University is proud to announce it has been awarded a $4,000 grant from the Stanley &
Elaine Ball Foundation, managed by Central Trust Company, a division of Central Trust Bank. This generous funding recognizes Drury’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and supporting disadvantaged children in Springfield, as this gift will fund books, materials, and light snacks for participating students involved in the Evening Reading Clinic, located in Lay Hall.
“I am so grateful for the Ball Foundation’s commitment to helping disadvantaged children in the Springfield region,” said Dr. Laurie Edmondson, Director of Elementary Education and Professor of Education at Drury University. “This grant will go a long way to help Drury students to provide much-needed books and materials to the elementary students in the Reading program.”
The Evening Reading Clinic at Drury University has long provided critical literacy support. The program pairs elementary students with Drury practicum students for one-on-one reading and writing instruction. It offers struggling students additional help beyond the classroom while giving Drury students practical experience in teaching literacy.
“The Evening Reading Clinic at Drury has helped numerous local students over the years,” said Dr. Natalie Precise, Dean of the School of Education and Associate Professor of Education. “The program allows our pre-service teachers to gain the necessary skills to work with students to improve their reading abilities. Reading is a skill that we all utilize in our daily lives, and equipping these local students with reading strategies to allow them to be successful readers is truly life-changing. We appreciate the support from the Ball Foundation for our Reading Clinic.
Drury University extends its gratitude to the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation for this meaningful investment in our shared future. For more information, please reach out to the Office of Advancement at (417) 873-7258 or advancement@drury.edu.
About the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation
The Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation was established by businessman Stanley Ball, who was deeply committed to improving his community and supporting those in need. After Stanley’s wife, Elaine, passed away in 2005, he founded the foundation with a substantial portion of his estate to continue their shared vision of helping disadvantaged individuals and enhancing education, especially for children. Central Trust Company proudly manages the foundation, ensuring its lasting impact on the communities Stanley and Elaine loved. 51 applications were received this year, and grants were awarded to 31 recipients, totaling a community investment of $240,000.
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Media Contact: Kevin Kropf, Ed.D., Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications | Office: (417) 873-7524 | Email: kkropf@drury.edu