For Immediate Release: September 20

Contact:
Holly Guerreiro
Director, Media Relations
(417) 873-7390
E-mail: hguerreiro@drury.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Sept. 20, 2007 — In keeping with its public commitment to the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment signed earlier this year, Drury University will implement its first renewable energy project as a part of renovations to historic Stone Chapel.

Planned improvements include installation of a high-efficiency, geothermal heating and cooling system. According to Dr. Wendy Anderson, director of Campus Sustainability, the geothermal heat pump system relies upon closed loops of water that exchange heat with the ground through multiple wells drilled near the building.

“The ability to collect heat from the ground in the winter is considered ‘renewable energy’ because the heat is free and collected by the sun’s radiant heating of the surface of the planet. No fossil fuels are burned in the production of the heat, although a small amount of electricity is needed to circulate water through the loops and to circulate cool or warm air throughout the building,” says Anderson.

“Installation of the geothermal system will cost up to $100,000 more than a traditional system, but will yield energy savings over its life cycle,” states Interim President Todd Parnell. “More importantly, installation of this system shows that Drury University is serious about its commitment to sustainability and is working to reduce its production of greenhouse gases,” says Parnell.

The $1.3 million renovation is expected to begin in late October with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2008.

Funded by donations, the renovation will also include installation of an elevator, upgrades to electrical services, parking, lighting, restrooms and overall handicapped accessibility. “Access for elderly or handicapped guests has been a real problem,” says Vice President for Administration Ken Johnson, who chaired a campus group charged with planning the renovations.

In addition to serving as the center of spiritual and academic life at Drury, Stone Chapel is a popular site for weddings and other special occasions. Christie Garrison, Drury’s calendar and event coordinator, says “public response to these planned improvements has been amazing.” Stone Chapel hosts about 35 weddings per year. Garrison expects that number to increase by about 30 percent following the renovations.

Erected in 1881, Stone Chapel is listed among the National Registry of Historic Landmarks and is considered the oldest stone structure in Springfield.

Drury University has taken the lead among private universities in the Midwest in truly integrating a liberal arts education with comprehensive professional programs. At Drury, the power of intensive faculty and staff mentoring in small-class settings creates an atmosphere of high academic expectation grounded in a supportive learning community, an ideal combination which produces leaders ready to serve in a global community. For more information, visit www.drury.edu.

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