Springfield, Mo., June 25, 2024 – Drury University’s 3,671 donors made the 2024 fiscal year (June 2023 – May 2024) fundraising campaign a success, raising over $15.6 million to support Drury students. Gifts to Drury provided funding for academic and athletic programs, scholarships, facilities, and more. Included in the overall total was a record $4.7 million in gifts to the Drury Student Success Fund, providing current support to enhance the student experience. This was strengthened by the O’Reilly-Wooten 150th Anniversary Challenge, which provided $1.6 million in matching funds during the final months of the sesquicentennial celebration year.
In addition to the strong support of the Student Success Fund, donors also committed an additional $8.6 million in pledges and $2.3 million in planned gifts to Drury’s $50 million Fortify the Future campaign. Gifts to the Fortify the Future campaign will allow the university to invest in the student experience, endowments, and heritage buildings while cultivating a new generation of community and world leaders. Currently, the campaign has raised almost $42 million of the goal.
“A simple word of thanks doesn’t seem adequate to acknowledge the great outpouring of support Drury alums, trustees, friends, faculty, and staff provided in this last year as the campus celebrated its historic 150th year,” Drury University’s President Dr. Jeff Frederick said. “You have generously supported great additions and upgrades to our campus and set a new standard for supporting Drury students with scholarships for their work on campus and in the community. On behalf of all of us who believe deeply that the Drury experience provides a life-changing path to a bright, meaningful, and fulfilling future for our graduates, thank you for truly making a difference. The next 150 years are in front of us. Here we go!”
A special 150th-anniversary plaza will be constructed on campus, recognizing donors who made new gifts and commitments of $1,500 or more to the University during Drury’s sesquicentennial year.
“Special thanks go to John Beuerlein for his lifelong dedication and support for Drury and his leadership as Interim President during this historic 150th year,” said Wayne Chipman, Senior Vice President for University Advancement.
###
Media Contact: Wayne Chipman, Senior Vice President for University Advancement | Office: (417) 873-7303 | Email: wchipman@drury.edu
