By Daniel Kieffer

Through the ingenuity, hard work and inventiveness of Patrick Moser, associate professor of languages, Drury University has received a $20,000 grant from the CW Titus Foundation.   This money will be used to fund ten competitive scholarships for Drury students to study abroad this summer.  

Applications for this scholarship will be ranked by Dept. of Language faculty according to the following criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to foreign language study (having declared a major/minor in a foreign language, or completed foreign language coursework beyond Drury's one-year requirement)
• Success in foreign language study (students must meet a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 in their coursework at Drury; normally 3.5 or higher in their language courses)
• University standing (Senior, Junior, Sophomore, First-Year)
• Financial need may also be taken into consideration

The students who earn these scholarships will be awarded up to $2,000.   In addition to the financial aid, scholarship winners will have the opportunity to share their experience with the Drury and Springfield communities upon their return.   They will share their acquired knowledge at Global Insight luncheons, by offering tutoring services in local schools, or by making presentations in appropriate classes and/or at civic functions.  

There were many people who were instrumental in the origination and production of this grant proposal.   All of these people are graciously committed to the values that Drury University stands for.  

Charles Taylor, vice president for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, says, “These resources will be invaluable as we strive to more fully realize the potential of our institutional commitment to global engagement.”

Moser says, “The scholarships are, of course, great for our students, but we should all be encouraged because it's a reflection of the confidence people feel in Drury, and in the values that we work to teach every day.”

Drury University has long been a staple of the Springfield community and is quickly becoming a staple of the global community.   Awards such as this reinforce the fact that the quality and merit that come from Drury University are integral to not only the students and the faculty, but to the general public as well.   This is validation of constant excellence.

A completed application form (available in 210 Pearsons Hall) must accompany a one-page letter describing to the committee your interest in and commitment to foreign language study, when and where you plan to study abroad, details of your foreign language course(s), and the educational service you will participate in upon your return.

Applications must be delivered to Kathy Jester in 210 Pearsons Hall by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31.

For further questions, please contact Dr. Patrick Moser (pmoser@drury.edu)