SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 12, 2023 —Nearly two years in the making, today Drury University unveiled a new panther sculpture and gathering space in Burnham Circle Plaza. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, more than 100 faculty, staff, students, trustees and community members gathered to celebrate and share in the excitement. The new space and sculpture were made possible through the generosity of alumnus Tom Cray `77, who provided scholarships for Drury Hammons School of Architecture students to design the space and commissioned artist Jocelyn Russell to create the one-of-a-kind sculpture.
“I hope this becomes a symbol we all can appreciate and really take advantage of because this is here for the students,” Cray said. “We put a lot of work into this and the thing that was neat is anytime someone heard about the project, we got the green light, and it shows how tight-knit our community is.”
The bronze panther, which weighs more than 800 pounds, is surrounded by walkways, seating, additional lighting, WiFi, power outlets and will light up red during campus celebrations. Marie Muhvic, executive vice president for University Advancement, worked closely with Cray during the process and says Drury students were always at the center of his vision for the space.
“From the beginning, Tom really wanted this to be a place on campus that gathers everyone together and doubles as a photo spot and a place that will get our students outside,” she said. “Throughout the process, he never lost focus of the students. His perfectionism, his care and the heart he put into this is amazing and we thank him so much.”
The space was completed in time for graduation so students and their families would have a memorable place to celebrate and take photos.
“Since 1896 the panther has been our mascot, and how cool it is for us to have a very visual reminder of the love affair that Drury creates with students that lasts a lifetime,” Drury Interim President John Beuerlein said during the ceremony. “This will be a space to continue to create lasting memories where students and their families can celebrate their accomplishments with photos in front of the panther; it’s going to be a very iconic moment for them.”
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Media Contact: Jasmine Cooper, Director of University Communications and Media Relations – (417) 873-7390 or JCooper020@drury.edu.